I never dreamed of hearing my own views on Jane Austen and comedy talked at me in a far more eloquent way, with far greater perfection in expression and research than I could ever do. Thank you!!! One thing I can add is that her novels not only train us in self-knowledge by showing our faults in ridiculous form and helping us to laugh at them, but the form of comedy also trains us to see our own lives, and all life, as a grand comedy. Coming away from her novels, we are able to see the maddening mess of our own lives and have a true hope in the order that will take place and be visible to us, on the last day. This helps us to live a life of faith and hope so much more vividly than any mere propositional exhortation could do.