Question Details

“I recognize that its heroine is a little prig and its hero a pompous ass, but I do not care.” About which novel of Jane Austen is this statement made by Somerset Maugham?

Options

A

Pride and Prejudice

B

Northanger Abbey

C

Sense and Sensibility

D

Mansfield Park

Correct Answer :

Mansfield Park

Solution :

The correct option is Mansfield Park.

Detailed Explanation:
The quote, “I recognize that its heroine is a little prig and its hero a pompous ass, but I do not care,” was written by the famous British novelist and playwright W. Somerset Maugham in his literary essays (specifically in Books and You) referring to Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park.
In this critique, Maugham addresses the main characters of the novel:
1. The "heroine" refers to Fanny Price, whom many critics and readers (including Maugham) have historically viewed as somewhat self-righteous, passive, or "priggish" compared to Austen's more vivacious heroines like Elizabeth Bennet.
2. The "hero" refers to Edmund Bertram, who is often described as moralizing, highly conventional, and "pompous."
Despite these reservations about the lead characters, Maugham notes that he does not care because he considers the novel to be a masterpiece of ironical humor, wit, and subtle observation, ranking it as his favorite of Austen's works.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.