Art needs to be read in the context of its time. Saying things like “JANE EYRE would never be a bestseller nowadays” is exactly as pointless as saying “ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT would never have been a bestseller in 1895.”
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What? Almost like artists and the art they produce are born out of life in the society they live in?
Perhaps people say 'wouldn't be a bestseller nowadays' is nostalgia & disgruntlement with now? As an argument it is a little vacuous, especially as many still read Jane Eyre.
Perhaps it is fiction is how we humans are human (the whole Terry Pratchett's fallen angel, rising ape idea) so whilst stories have to be seen in their context e.g. life of lower middle class gentlewoman in 1840s England, it is still a story about hopes, fears & love. A good tale told is just that.
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"What are we watching tonight"?
"Dunno it's a tossup between Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, The Crown, Jane Eyre the 2011 film or Wolf Hall".
Frankenstein or Dracula would never be best sellers nowadays though. Definitely not.
Perhaps people say 'wouldn't be a bestseller nowadays' is nostalgia & disgruntlement with now? As an argument it is a little vacuous, especially as many still read Jane Eyre.