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  • © 2012

Graphing Jane Austen

The Evolutionary Basis of Literary Meaning

Palgrave Macmillan

Part of the book series: Cognitive Studies in Literature and Performance (CSLP)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction

    1. Introduction

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 1-13
  3. Methods and Results

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15
    2. A User’s Manual

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 17-33
    3. Agonistic Structure Differentiated by Sex

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 35-56
  4. Implications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 57-57
    2. Determinate Meanings

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 59-69
    3. Sexual Politics

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 71-80
    4. Adaptive Function

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 81-92
  5. Case Studies

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 93-93
    2. Jane Austen, by the Numbers

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 95-122
    3. Indifferent Tragedy in The Mayor of Casterbridge

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 123-155
  6. Conclusion

    1. Conclusion

      • Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall, John A. Johnson, Daniel J. Kruger
      Pages 157-175
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 177-305

About this book

This book helps to bridge the gap between science and literary scholarship. Building on findings in the evolutionary human sciences, the authors construct a model of human nature in order to illuminate the evolved psychology that shapes the organization of characters in nineteenth-century British novels, from Jane Austen to E. M. Forster.

Reviews

"Graphing Jane Austen shines a spotlight that not only would make C. P. Snow proud but also helps better understand our culture's relationship with constructs like personality, gender, and introversion." - Brainpickings

"In merging literary and evolutionary approaches, this book is certain to bring delight to an evolutionary audience and a combination of interest and consternation to the literary contingent. This is wholly appropriate for a fascinating pioneering work." - Christopher Boehm, Director, The Goodall Research Center, University of Southern California

"[The authors] bring three vital ingredients to this study of nineteenth-century English novels: a love of the novels, a modern understanding of human evolutionary biology, and facility with modern methods of data analysis. The result is a stunning synthesis; many dream of some reconciliation between the sciences and the humanities. [This book] has actually stepped in and started us down that road." - Henry Harpending, professor of Anthropology, University of Utah

'Once every century or so, a paradigm shift erupts in how we perceive literature. Graphing Jane Austen is this century's revolution. It is a masterpiece of creative, synthesizing science that lays the groundwork for an entirely new way of looking at and understanding literature. - Barbara Oakley, Professor of Engineering, Oakland University and author of Cold-Blooded Kindness and Evil Genes

'This is a strikingly original book, full of surprising insights into human nature and the way novels work.' R. Headlam-Wells, Professor Emeritus, Roehampton University London

About the authors

Author John A. Johnson: John A. Johnson is professor of psychology at the Pennsylvania State University, DuBois. Author Daniel J. Kruger: Daniel J. Kruger is an assistant research professor at the University of Michigan.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access