Sanditon

Although Austen never addresses slavery explicitly, the presence of Miss Lambe and the discussion around Antigua present the issue subtly. In what ways are slavery, oppression, and servitude represented in the novel?

Discuss the differences between Arthur Parker’s obsession with health and his sisters’. How does Austen characterize these differences? Are one or more of the siblings more sympathetic than the others? Why or why not?

What role does gender play in relation to social class? Does the theme of ambition take different forms depending on the person’s gender?

Austen is well-known for her criticism and observations of the institution of marriage. What role does marriage play in Sanditon? How does the novel comment on the social role of marriage in Austen’s world?

How does Austen’s criticism of novels and reading relate to any of Sanditon’s themes? Is Charlotte as critical of novels as she claims to be, or is she more romantic?

Describe how Austen characterizes Charlotte’s judgment. Is Charlotte an unreliable narrator? Why or why not?

Austen’s use of free indirect speech allows her readers to see from a multiplicity of perspectives. In what ways does this enhance or detract from the character development and inner conflict of Charlotte? Does this style of writing allow for a greater understanding of the characters as a whole?

What is the role of progress and modernization in the novel?