Apr 23 2020
“The Watsons”
The second example of Austen’s manuscript fiction we’ll be looking at in this last unit of our course is “The Watsons.” (Austen didn’t give it that title; it’s more of a convenient handle given to the fragment later.) Unlike “Lady Susan,” you’ll see that “The Watsons” is clearly unfinished—not only does it not have a completed ending, it also clearly lacks the polish of Austen’s published novels. I told you in our last Zoom session about some of the speculation about why Austen didn’t complete the book—her clergyman father died during its composition, and she was faced with particularly urgent financial concerns. She may also have been unwilling to continue a novel about an ailing clergyman when her own father had just succumbed to illness.
Like “Lady Susan” part of “The Watsons”manuscript is housed in the Morgan Library, just up the road from Baruch
For this assignment, I want you to think about some of the stylistic and formal choices that go into this fragment. We talked a lot about epistolarity, both in earlier classes and in our discussion of “Lady Susan.” We know Austen started several of her novels as epistolary novels before switching to a third-person account. What would “The Watsons” look like as an epistolary novel? How would our understanding of its character relationships change? In a comment on this post, write a short letter from one of the characters in “The Watsons” to another. You should draw on the context the fragment gives us, as well as the sense of each character’s style we get from the fragment’s heavy use of dialogue. Feel free to be creative! But use this exercise to think more about the stakes of Austen’s formal choices. BONUS: If you happen to be writing after some of your classmates have posted, you should feel free to use your comment to write a letter in response to a letter that has already been posted.
We’ll discuss these in our Wednesday Zoom session and will also start our discussion of Austen’s final, unfinished novel, “Sanditon.”
Austen lived in Bath while she worked on “The Watsons,” and by all accounts she didn’t like it there much.
7 Responses to ““The Watsons””
From Miss Watson to Miss Emma:
Hello, my dear sister I hope all is well. I trust that your education at our Aunt’s is going well. Father, I and the rest of the family are truly looking forward to your return. Father will surely be looking forward to seeing you soon. Especially with Penelope’s attention diverted elsewhere, yours well be welcome company. Sadly, I fear that his health might be worsening. Though he has the knack for not dwelling too much on such matters, the signs ae there. Hopefully your arrival will prove a catalyst for him feeling better. On a lighter note, once you return you will be surprised to see many new faces, many eligible new faces. There is still a strong military presence in town. There are many handsome young redcoats with reasonable dispositions that will no doubt give you some lively conversations. Mr. Edwards, I fear he is a notorious flirt. Once you get past that however, there is never a dull moment when you find yourself in his presence. When you return, I hope you will find many new surprises. I’m sure that during your time getting educated we should have some interesting conversations. You always been the type to ponder about things. I remember how you used to enjoy reading and listening to father’s bible readings. It shall be interesting to see how the rest of the town will receive you as well since they haven’t seen you in many years, I look forward seeing you soon in the flesh.
Your Sister,
Elizabeth
From Elizabeth to Emma,
My most beautiful sister. How amazingly charming you must I am sure have grown to be. One must always acknowledge one’s own beauty and charm and I am indeed most impressed by your being raised by our dear Aunt. The truth is my dear, now that you will be coming back home to us, there are a few things you must keep in mind. First and foremost, all your sisters, myself included are at the moments in our life where it is nearly embarrassing that none of us are married. Luckily as I mentioned, it is only nearly embarrassing so there is still plenty of time of course. I know you might be rather distressed at not having been courted but my lovely younger sister, do not fret! There is plenty of suitable men that can make you a fine wife. Father is so insistent that we stay positive and hopeful and that by doing this the right man will fall into the exact right place he should. I am sure you know, but I must mention the Edwards’ soiree that is coming closer and closer. Well, there will be the most amazing of bachelor’s there and I can only be sure you will find your match. Taste is vitally important at these sorts of events and the Edwards’ acknowledge this. Just be sure that although you are beautiful, one of your other sisters can be just as beautiful, and that this is something you must be aware of. It would indeed be improper for two of us to be after the same man and yet it would also look foolish if you were not aware that we are all of the same position as you are my dear sister. Do not fret, if I come across a young man’s acquaintance before yourself, we all need to look out for each other. Until soon.
Your most beloved oldest sister,
Elizabeth
[In response to Jordan’s letter]
From Emma to Elizabeth,
Oh my dearest sister, it is such pleasure to receive your letter! I am enjoying my time at our dear Aunt’s and I cannot await my return so that we may embrace in person. I must say, sister, I feel such an anxiety in reading the information you relay. Marriage, soirees, the Edwardes! It is all too much, I feel so disconnected. All of my efforts here at our Aunt’s and yet I feel as though I’m behind in everything besides my studies. Sister! We mustn’t fret over marriage, love will find us soon enough. I couldn’t imagine marrying a man I did not love, and love goes hand in hand with patience my dearest. Our time is near, but oh just the thought gives me anxiousness. Yet if love does not find me, I will have no problem in becoming a school teacher. Oh my dear Elizabeth! I’ve learned from your letter that I have much to catch up on, but all in due time my loving sister.
Until soon your dearest,
Emma
William Marte
Mon, Apr 27
In Response to the First Comment posted:
Dearest Watson,
How wonderful it was to receive your letter. But I’m afraid my impatience to see our family again has won over me some time ago. I long to be once again in the presence of your and dearest Father. I am saddened to hear of his deteriorating health, but one mustn’t lose hope. One can learn a things or two from his attitude and leave the worrying for the dead. But still, my hopes of returning home to the both of you grow ever stronger. It’s welcoming to hear that there await so many new additions to our growing community of characters. The military presence might be a tad bit off putting, but I’ve learned from out aunt that it is better to be over prepared than under. Especially if we’re surrounded by dashing redcoats as you put it. On the note, you simply must introduce me to this Mr. Edwards when I return. He sounds like quite the card. But more than anything else, I’d just like to come back home to familiar surroundings again. You wouldn’t believe how strange it is to be reading the same books but in a different location. It’s the little things. But when I wrote earlier about what I’d like to come back to the most? I was wrong. You and father are what drive me to return as soon as I can.
Lots of Love,
Emma
(in response to Cedeem)
Dear Emma,
i miss your company so dearly. Please hurry to our estate so we can chat and embrace; I would very much enjoy your company. My sincerest apologies if I have overwhelmed you with all of the information in my previous letter. I just wanted to prepare you for what you were to enter. Your first ball will be the most exciting but as you already know, you must be careful of leering eyes. However, don’t say such foolish things, like becoming a school teacher. I could imagine nothing worse off. After all, most men are somewhat suitable for a fine young woman like yourself. Apparently, Penelope feels the same in her desperate and ravenous attempts to find a husband. Anyways, all I mean is to calm your anxieties, we have time to find the perfect husband. I am looking forward to hearing from you again.
Love always,
Elizabeth
Miss Watson to Mrs. Howard.
Bainbridge
My dearest sister, it was so good to hear from you after such an extended period of time, even more so to learn of your and father’s fortunes. Your reports of his good health bring tears to my eyes and fills my heart with gladness, even as I regret not being there to witness it for myself. And how fortunate and glad you must be, after becoming attached to your Mr. Musgrave! I cannot think of what Margaret and Penelope must feel, only I hope it is good will and cheer for you, as it must be from me.—It seems the good fortune does not cease, for even as I write this, I receive a letter from Sam and Mary telling me the happy news of the new addition to their family! Oh, I do hope to come see you all at the earliest thaw, but Mr. Howards is so very busy at the holiday season, and little Charles cannot bear to be apart from me, nor I from him.—You will remember his mother, Mrs. Blake, lives with us, and she too would love to return, though we cannot be certain of the welcome from Lord and Lady Osborne.—You know too well in what way we parted company with them, how they treated us, I and my dear Mr. Howard after I refused the proposal of Lord Osborne. Still, we are happy here in this quaint picturesque village. Though we are a distance my dear sister, my heart remains with you. Do tell me all the details of the happy day, and give my love to my dear father and sisters.— Yrs. Ever,
Emma Howard
(I set this as a wrap up to the story, basically writing my own ending. Have no idea where Bainbridge is, just thought it looked good.)
Sorry, that should be Mrs. Howard to Miss Watson