Mind Reading and Cognitive Distortion in Jane Austen’s Persuasion

Year 2020, Issue: 51, 188 - 238, 31.12.2020

Karam Nayebpour Rakiye Özdal

Abstract

Mind reading is an important aspect of narrative in
Jane Austen’s fiction. Austen presents mind reading as the most effective
element in the construction and development of her narrative plot in Persuasion.
She mainly shows how mind reading can derive from thinking biases and bring about
significant misunderstandings. By focusing on the central character Anne Elliot’s
desire to read her ex-fiancé’s mental states in different situations, Austen
explores the impact of mind reading quality and capacity on their relationship.
Offered by the narratologist Lisa Zunshine, mind reading refers to our ability
to attribute or ascribe mental states to ourselves and to other people. Relying
on Zunshine’s terminology and considering her elaboration on the three main
steps of mind reading, this paper has two main goals. Firstly, the essay analyses
the way(s) Anne Elliot’s mind reading capacity is presented in terms of body
language, performance, and embodied transparencies. Secondly, the paper
examines the reliability state of Anne’s mind readings, as well as the effect
of her cognitive distortions.

Keywords

: Cognitive Narratology, Mind Reading, Cognitive Distortion, Persuasion, Jane Austen

References

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