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Jane Austen's influence on the world
Jane Austen's influence on the world
Jane austen significance
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Recommended: Jane Austen's influence on the world
Take a look at the pictures on this screen. These are images from all of the Jane Austen movie adaptations or spinoffs that have been made in the last 20 or so years. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, but her stories are still alive and well in the mainstream conscious.
My first introduction to Austen was when I was fifteen. I took an English course centered around the works of Jane Austen, and I have been a devoted fan of both the authoress and her books ever since.
Today, I will be talking to you about Jane Austen’s life and her impact on society.
Before I can discuss her work, let’s learn a little about the life of Jane Austen.]
Jane grew up in a loving and nurturing home (which you can see in this photo) where
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That is actually one of the reasons I love the novels so much: because I can relate to the characters. I especially see myself in Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility because of her love for her younger sister and her loyalty to her friends.
Not only did Jane write realistic and interesting characters, but most of those characters were women. Meaning Jane’s books were a huge step forward for women.
While Jane’s books were first published anonymously, readers did know the author was a woman. In fact, the original title of her first book was Sense and Sensibility, By A Lady. As a lady herself, Jane was able to write amazing female characters that have agency in their own narratives. Besides the romantic aspects of the plots, Jane’s heroines often have their own goals or undergo personal growth outside of finding a husband. For instance, in Emma, the title character begins the story as a good-hearted, but spoiled know-it-all. However, through lessons from the various friendships she makes during the book, she learns to become a more considerate and truly generous
From an early age Jane is aware she is at a disadvantage, yet she learns how to break free from her entrapment by following her heart. Jane appears as not only the main character in the text, but also a female narrator. Being a female narrator suggests a strong independent woman, but Jane does not seem quite that.
As the story progresses Jane is slowly but surely transforming into a new woman. From the beginning, Jane has always possessed a sense of her dignity. Jane integrity is constantly tested over the progression of the novel, and Jane must learn to balance the repeated conflicting parts of her in order to find contentment. During this era in England, women are viewed differently than they are today. In the 19th century women in England were expected to maintain a certain image or act in a certain manner which is referred to as the traditional woman who accepts her role in society. Men are the dominant ones in the society. Although women are expected to be a traditional woman, not all of them follow play the part. This is a woman who does not live by the standards of the society. A new woman does not sit back and do as she is told; she makes her own rules and determines her own success. These are all characteristics that Jane starts to gain.
Jane next lived at Lowood. This institution was anything but a true family unit. However, Jane sought out people to care for and who would care for her in return. Helen Burns and Miss Temple became very close to Jane. In ways like the mother of the typical family served as a moral guide and a nurturer, so too did Helen Burns, and to a certain extent Miss Temple.
Jane not only shows the reader her beliefs on female independence through her actions, but also through her thoughts. Jane desires to see more of the world and have more interaction with its people. While she appreciates her simple life at Thornfield, she regrets that she does not have the means to travel. She relates her feelings to all women, not just those of her class, saying:
Austen, Jane. Emma. Norton Critical 3rd edition, ed. Donald Gray New York and London: Norton, 2001.
Scott, Walter. "Scott on Jane Austen." 1826. Jane Austen: The Critical Heritage. Ed. B. C.
She would continue to look for true love based upon equality and independence. This novel portrays the way Jane fought against the 1800s stereotype of a woman’s position in society.
Jane Austen Society of North America, Inc. A Brief Biography. jasna.org. 26 April. 2014.
Even after its publication in 1813 Jane’s Austen’s romantic and wonderfully written masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, remains an absolute joy to read for thousands and thousands of readers across the globe. The 19th century novel enchants the youngest of readers to the wisest of souls. Many individuals all over the world, very much like us as university students here at Villanova, are quite intrigued by the amazingly created characters, impressively dynamic portrayal of an oppressively class-bound culture, and the vitality of a strong woman at the center of the novel. Jane Austen presents the reader with the most tantalizing and illustrious opening sentence, which enamors the reader and never lets go. "It is a truth universally acknowledged,
She first begins with the introduction of Jane Austen’s life circumstances, how small amount of money she had with her mother and her sister and the better life circumstances of her five brother whilst they had got access to work that was paid, inheritance and preference and also the right for independence, personal power that is prosperous and masculinity.
Austen was raised in an unusually liberal family where her father was a part of the middle-landowning class. They had a moderate amount of luxuries, but were not considered well off. Unlike many girls of her time Austen received a fairly comprehensive education. She received this mainly through the undivided support of her family. Austen and her sisters, like most girls of their time, were homeschooled. Austen’s zealous parents encouraged the girls to play piano, read and write. Her parent’s encouragement led to her interest in writing. Austen’s father housed an extensive library filled with books which kept Austen occupied for years (“Sense and Sensibility” 119). Through her observant nature and passion to read and write, Austen was able to eloquently write of the many “hidden truths” of social and class distinction during her time. They included daily societal changes some of which foreshadowed future societal leniency. Familial support also extended societal norm of marriage. Her parents attempt...
“Biography of Jane Austen.” Critical insight: Pride and Prejudice (2011): 18-31. Literary Reference Center. Web. 24 Nov 2013.
DaDundo, Laura. "Jane Austen" Concise Dictionary of British Literary Biography. Vol. III. Detroit: Gale Research Inc., 1992.
Many people read Jane Austen’s fiction novels and only see her writing as cliché and old fashioned. But her stories have a classic, undying theme to them. Stories that are still relatable to readers today. In the last 10 years Austen’s books have been made into a number of television adaptations. Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. Not only do we see Austen’s story lines through her books and the movies, but many modern authors and movie directors use Austen as an inspiration when writing their books and movie scripts. Austen’s stories capture the heart of many people, but she also captures the heart of women today. Women who strive to abolish the social discrimination against themselves. It is a debatable
Fergus, Jan. “Biography.” The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen. Ed. Janet Todd.