Prefaces: Musing on Novels

Northanger Abbey
Purpose: To come to the defense of novels, which have been so thoroughly degraded and undervalued.
Author is trying to convince the reader of: The importance of novels, amongst a boom of periodicals, satiric poems and translations of older texts which were overtaking the genres of literature.
Why the author has chosen his/her approach: This approach seems evident. Novels were often considered lowly writing, especially to those who see themselves as 'arbiters of good taste', like Addison and Steele. In addition, being a woman novelist, the reputation of not only the author's personal life, but her works came under great scrutiny, thereby making it necessary to defend the profession and art of novelist and novel.
Does the approach connect to larger debates about novels: The debate here is the place and importance of novels, as by the time Northanger Abbey was written, novels were becoming more of a mainstream form of literature and especially by the time it was published, the influence of novels was on the rise. Here, Austen vehemently defends novels, saying they contain the most complete analysis of human nature, are in the best language imaginable and display the greatest powers of the artistic and creative mind.
Highlight a key passage or two:
"Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure, and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. Let us not desert one another;we are an injured body"
"...the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language"

Belinda
Purpose: To provide a rejection and denunciation of the qualities given to the classification of a work in the category of novel.
Author is trying to convince the reader of: The subjectivity of classification and perception of novels. The acceptance or rejection of this, is up to the public to decide.
Why the author has chosen his/her approach: It seems Edgeworth has chosen this approach to reject the scorn and disdain of novels, that the 'folly, errour and vice' often times found in novels, gives them a bad reputation. It seems then for her, clear and concise standards would best benefit her aim.
Does the approach connect to larger debates about novels: In considering her connections to the larger debate surrounding novels, she seems more in line with the notions of Addison and Steele, that there is a correct classification of novels, as impression upon the readers is everything, hence her notion that her story is a 'moral tale'.
Highlight a key passage or two:
"Every author has a right to give appellation he may think proper to his works. The public also has a right to accept or refuse the classification that is presented"
"But so much folly, errour and vice are disseminated in books classed under this denomination that it is hoped the wish to assume another title will be attributed to feelings that are laudable and not fastidious."

Frankenstein
Purpose: To explain the origins of her work, and by extension disassociate herself from her work and view its creation in the utmost objective fashion.
Author is trying to convince the reader of: The insignificance of the author's personage and reputation in the actual creation of the story. Other than influences from her literary parents and her husband, Lord Byron and the readings of horror and ghost stories produced her work, which has no real connection to her character.
Why the author has chosen his/her approach: I think Shelley has chosen this approach, and its objectivity, so as to not have others see how her dark, dangerous and horrific story could have any connection to her mental state of mind. She paints herself as a writer of contemplation and that what she could create, rather than experiences, are what would produce reputable fiction.
Does the approach connect to larger debates about novels: In considering the larger debates about novels, it seems key that Shelley is trying to break the mold of analyzing an author, and specifically a female author's reputation and biography as crucial to whether his/her literary career is made or broken. By saying that her creative imagination could do much more for her works than could her own history, Shelley is distancing her works from pertaining to the individual and rather appealing to universality of literature.
Highlight a key passage or two:
"Life appeared to me, too common place an affair as regarded myself. I could not figure to myself that romantic woes or wonderful events would ever be my lot; but I was not confined to my own identity, and i could people the hours with creations far more interesting to me at that age than my own sensations"
"One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror..."

Mary Barton
Purpose:To describe the origins of the novel, particularly those that stem from sympathy for the working poor and the dichotomy between, resentment of and injustice from the wealthy.
Author is trying to convince the reader of: Her writings being truthful to her own experience and interpretation of the world, rather than directly clashing with the economic and political systems and structures that existed at the time.
Why the author has chosen his/her approach: It seems to me, that Gaskell has picked this approach so as to protect herself from coming under fire for what can be supposed as condemnation of the injustice of political climate at the time.
Does the approach connect to larger debates about novels: By saying that she is simply writing her own truth, and that any agreements or disagreements that arise from that are unintentional, she is fitting into the mold of reputation making or breaking a literary career. She is not challenging the status quo of the heavy scrutiny of novels, and especially novels by women; instead, she is just attempting to defend her own particular novel rather than trying to help overturning said status quo about the perception of novels.
Highlight a key passage or two:
"I know nothing of the Political Economy, or the theories of trade. I have tried to write truthfully; and if my accounts agree or clash with any system, the agreement or disagreement is unintentional."

In considering the stance of each of these four prefaces, it seems that the overwhelming majority are in the defense of novels and the repealing of previous standards by which novels and their authors are judged. Austen defends the genre of novels, Edgeworth calls for reform in what we can consider to be called a novel and Shelley calls for disassociation of he author from his or her work. Barton seems to be the only one who is not calling for major reform amongst both the educated, high-class reviewers and the public perception and influence from novels. However, Barton does recognize the standards by which her works will be judged and hopes to mitigate any cross-fire that may occur if her works are seen as a critique of any system. This is perhaps a suggestion that her work really is a critique and call for reform, so she could in fact fit in with the other three authoresses ideals concerning the perception of not only their works, but the genre as a whole.