The Importance of a Reliable Character in Jane Austen

As a novelist, Jane Austen must guide the implied reader's views in order for the complete impact of her plots to be perceived. Austen accomplishes this through many rhetorical techniques; however, she is most successful when using a reliable character's viewpoint. Several times Austen relies on a proven, sensible character to control the implied reader's opinions and reactions. With this control, Austen is able to successfully relay the novel's importance and themes.
Whoever Austen chooses to be the dependable character also determines the amount of distance that will exist between the heroine and the implied reader. Sometimes the credited character is also the pivotal character. In these instances, such as with Elinor, Austen's heroine from Sense and Sensibility, the distance is very minimal. Elinor is proven to be sensible, noble, strong, good-hearted, and loyal; therefore, the implied reader admires her respectable qualities. …