Jane Austen

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Jane Austen, in a portrait based on one drawn by her sister Cassandra

Jane Austen (December 16, 1775 – July 18, 1817) was an English novelist whose work is considered part of the Western canon. Her insights into women's lives and her mastery of form and irony have made her arguably the most noted and influential novelist from her era (though she was only moderately successful during her lifetime).

Life

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House of Jane Austen (today it is a museum)

Jane Austen was born at the rectory in Steventon, Hampshire, in 1775, daughter to the Rev. George Austen (1731–1805) and his wife Cassandra (née Leigh) (1739–1827). She lived in the area for most of her life and never married. She had six brothers and one older sister, Cassandra, to whom she was very close. The only undisputed portrait of Jane Austen is a coloured sketch done by Cassandra which resides in the National Portrait Gallery in London. However a full length painting owned by a family member traditionally held to be of Jane as a teenager is now increasingly considered authentic by the authorities. Her brothers Frank and Charles went to sea, eventually becoming admirals. In 1783, she was educated briefly by a relative in Oxford then Southampton. In 1785–1786, she was educated at the Reading Ladies boarding school in the Abbey gatehouse in Reading, Berkshire. In general, she received an education superior to that generally given to girls of her time, and took early to writing, her first tale being begun in 1789.

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Jane Austen's family coat of arms (click on image for more information).

Austen's life was a singularly uneventful one and, but for a disappointment in love, tranquil and happy. In 1801 the family moved to Bath, the scene of many episodes in her writings. In 1802 Austen received a marriage proposal from a wealthy young man named Harris Bigg-Wither, whom she first accepted, but then refused the next day. Having refused this offer of marriage, Austen never subsequently married. After the death of her father in 1805, Austen, her sister, and her mother lived with her brother Frank and his family for several years until they moved in 1809 to Chawton. Here her wealthy brother Edward had an estate with a cottage, which he turned over to his mother and sisters. (Their house today is open to the public.)

Austen continued to live in relative seclusion and began to suffer ill-health. It is now thought she may have suffered from Addison's disease, the cause of which was then unknown. She travelled to Winchester in 1817, to seek medical attention, but so rapid was the progress of her malady that she died there two months later and was buried in the cathedral.

Work

Adhering to contemporary convention for female authors, Austen published her novels anonymously. Her novels achieved a measure of popular success and esteem yet her anonymity kept her out of leading literary circles. Although all her works are love stories and although her career coincided with the Romantic movement in English literature, Jane Austen was no Romantic. Passionate emotion usually carries danger in an Austen novel and the young woman who exercises rational moderation is more likely to find real happiness than one who elopes with a lover. Her artistic values had more in common with David Hume and John Locke than with her contemporaries William Wordsworth or Lord Byron. Three of Austen's favorite influences were Samuel Johnson, William Cowper and Fanny Burney.

Her posthumously published novel Northanger Abbey satirizes the Gothic novels of Ann Radcliffe, but Austen is most famous for her mature works, which took the form of socially astute comedies of manners. These, especially Emma, are often cited for their perfection of form, while modern critics continue to unearth new perspectives on Austen's keen commentary regarding the predicament of unmarried genteel English women in the early 1800s. Inheritance law and custom usually directed the bulk of a family's fortune to male heirs.

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In 1816, the editors of this publication didn't think that Emma was one of the more important novels of the day.

Her novels were fairly received when they were published, with Sir Walter Scott in particular praising her work:

That young lady has a talent for describing the involvements of feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I ever met with.

Austen also earned the admiration of Macaulay (who thought that in the world there were no compositions which approached nearer to perfection), Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Sydney Smith, and Edward FitzGerald. Nonetheless, she was a somewhat overlooked author for several decades following her death. Interest in her work revived during the late nineteenth century. Twentieth century scholars rated her among the greatest talents in English letters, sometimes even comparing her to Shakespeare. Lionel Trilling and Edward Said were important Austen critics.

Negative views of Austen have been notable, with more demanding detractors frequently accusing her writing of being un-literary and middle-brow. Charlotte Brontë criticized the narrow scope of Austen's fiction. Mark Twain's reaction was revulsion:

Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book.

Austen's literary strength lies in the delineation of character, especially of women, by delicate touches arising out of the most natural and everyday incidents in the life of the middle and upper classes, from which her subjects are generally taken. Her characters, though of quite ordinary types, are drawn with such firmness and precision, and with such significant detail as to retain their individuality intact through their entire development, and they are uncoloured by her own personality. Her view of life seems largely genial, with a strong dash of gentle but keen irony.

Some contemporary readers may find the world she describes, in which people's chief concern is obtaining advantageous marriages, to be unliberated and disquieting. Options were limited in this era and both women and men often married for money. Female writers worked within the similarly narrow genre of romance. Part of Austen's prominent reputation rests on how well she integrates observations on the human condition within a convincing love story. Much of the tension in her novels arises from balancing financial necessity against other concerns: love, friendship, and morals.

Emma

Emma is a comic novel by Jane Austen, generally regarded as the most perfectly constructed of all her works, concerning the perils of misconstrued romance.

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Cover of Oxford World Classics edition of Emma.

The main character, Emma Woodhouse, is described in the opening paragraph as "rich, beautiful and clever," but is also rather spoiled. As a result of the recent marriage of her former governess, Emma prides herself on her ability to matchmake, and proceeds to take under her wing an illegitimate orphan, Harriet Smith, whom she hopes to marry off to the vicar, Mr Elton. So confident is she that she persuades Harriet to reject a proposal from a young farmer, Robert Martin, who is a much more suitable partner for the girl. This creates friction between Emma and her friend and neighbour, Mr Knightley (whose brother is married to Emma's sister).

An exciting development for Emma is the arrival in the neighbourhood of Frank Churchill, the stepson of her ex-governess, whom she has never met but in whom she has a long-standing interest. Meanwhile, she is forced to reject a proposal of marriage from Mr Elton, who proves more interested in Emma's fortune than in Harriet's gentle character. Mr Elton proceeds to marry a vulgar woman who becomes part of Emma's social circle and is one of Austen's greatest comic creations. Another newcomer to the circle is Jane Fairfax, the reserved but beautiful niece of Emma's impoverished neighbour, Miss Bates.

The plot becomes quite complex as Emma fancies herself in love with Frank Churchill, then decides that he would suit Harriet better. Having fallen out with Mr Knightley over an unintended insult to Miss Bates, she recognises serious failings in herself and sets out to heal the rift.

Several of the characters in this novel resemble those in other Austen books. In particular, Frank Churchill is a less villainous version of Mr Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility. Also, it should be noted that the father-figure is a particularly selfish version of the generally inept fathers portrayed in Austen's novels. As a heroine, Emma herself is more likeable because she is more believable than those of the other novels, and contrary to Austen's expectations (she wrote prior to starting the novel, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like"), Emma is one of her best-loved characters, precisely for her faults.

Principal Characters

Emma Woodhouse is the protagonist of the story. Beautiful, smart and slightly spoiled. While swearing to never get married herself she likes to find matches for others. Although Jane Austen said that this is one character who other than herself could like, but this was proven wrong when everyone found Emma to be extremely likeable.

Mr. Knightley, the only person to find any fault with Emma. Highly respected and considered very much a gentleman, there is a sort of no nonsense air about him. At the end of the novel we find out that he fell in love with Emma from way before.

Mr. Frank Churchill, a highly amicable man who manages to be liked by everyone save for Mr. Knightley. Enjoys dancing and music and likes to live life to the fullest. Emma once fancied herself fancying him as everyone thought that they make the most handsome pair, but later found that he was engaged to Jane Fairfax.

Jane Fairfax, an orphan who stays with her aunt and grandmother. Received the best of education. Considered to be extremely graceful and to possess the most perfect manners and musical skills, she was the only person to be envied but still who was very much appreciated for her skills by Emma.

Harriet Smith, friend of Emma. Is shown to be very pretty yet quite light-headed and can be easily misled by others. Looks up to Emma for everything, consulting her for all decisions to be made.

Film and television adaptations

Emma has been the subject of many adaptations [1]:

  • 1996: Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma.
  • 1996: Emma, starring Kate Beckinsale as Emma.
  • 1995: Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz (Emma).
  • 1972: Emma, starring Doran Godwin as Emma.
  • 1932: Emma, starring Marie Dressler, Myrna Loy, and Richard Cromwell.

Further reading

External links

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The text is now in the public domain.

  • Emma, available for free via Project Gutenberg
  • Emma - in easy to read HTML format.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is the most famous of Jane Austen's novels, and its opening is one of the most famous lines in English literature—"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Its manuscript was first written between 1796 and 1797, and was initially called First Impressions, but was never published under that title. In 1811 and following it was revised, it was published on 28 January 1813 by the same Mr. Egerton of the Military Library, Whitehall, who had brought out Sense and Sensibility. Like both its predecessor and Northanger Abbey, it was written at Steventon Rectory.

Plot summary

The story deals with issues surrounding courtship and marriage among the landed gentry in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The main character is Elizabeth Bennet, a 20-year-old girl possessed of a quick mind, sharp wit, and keen sense of justice. Elizabeth's father, Mr. Bennet, spends much of his time hiding in his study, a refuge from Elizabeth's mother. Mrs. Bennet (whose manners and conduct are decidedly "of the people") is determined to see each of her five daughters successfully married to gentlemen of sufficient fortune to support a wife. The Bennet family's modest estate is entailed in default of heirs male—which means a cousin, Mr. Collins, will inherit the estate on Mr. Bennet's death, due to the lack of sons in the Bennet family. This will leave Mrs. Bennet and any unmarried daughters homeless and trying to live on a very small income.

The beginning of the novel describes Mrs. Bennet's excitement over the arrival of a single man "of considerable fortune" in their neighbourhood. The man, Mr. Bingley, has recently leased the estate of Netherfield to live in with his single sister Miss Bingley and his married sister, Mrs. Hurst, whose husband has more fashion than wealth. After a short period, Mr. Bingley goes on a short trip to London and returns with his friend, Mr. Darcy. Shortly after their arrival Mr. Bingley and his guests attend a public ball in the village of Meryton. At the beginning of the ball, Mr. Darcy is widely regarded as a most agreeable gentleman due to his fine figure and £10,000 a year. However, halfway through the party, the neighbourhood comes to perceive him as a most disagreeable sort, one who believes himself above the country folk of Elizabeth's town. This is perpetuated within the Bennet family afterwards because Mr. Darcy slights Elizabeth—Mr. Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Elizabeth and he notes that "she is not handsome enough to tempt me." Mr. Bingley, on the other hand, proves himself to the neighbourhood to be a fine, most agreeable gentleman. Mr. Bingley also is noted for his admiration of Elizabeth's dearest sister, Jane.

Shortly after the ball, Mr. Bennet announces to the family that a visitor will be arriving shortly. Mrs. Bennet and the girls amuse themselves with guesses as to who the man is, but are disappointed to find out it is only their cousin, Mr. Collins. Collins is a clergyman who tends to be wordy and snobbish, and whose idea of a pleasant evening activity is to instruct his female cousins by reading to them from Fordyce's Sermons. Collins is forever searching for opportunities to drop the name of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom he fawns over like a puppy dog. Following Lady Catherine's suggestions that he get a wife, Collins immediately looks to his "poor cousins" to find a wife and make up for his involvement in the oft mentioned ruination of the Bennet girls (the fact that he is even concerned with his role suggests an ignorance of the law concerning entails and Collins's overall ineptitude). Collins, upon being informed that Jane (Elizabeth's elder sister and the only other "sensible" Bennet girl) was "practically engaged" to Mr. Bingley, begins to eye the lovely Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Bennet highly encourages the match and tries to force Elizabeth into the marriage. However, Mr. Bennet saves Elizabeth by mentioning that if she does not marry Collins, Elizabeth's mother will never speak to her again, but if she does then Mr. Bennet will never speak to her again. Meanwhile, Elizabeth also begins falling for a recently arrived military officer, Mr. Wickham, a man who claims to have been robbed of his rightful inheritance by none other than Mr. Darcy.

Having been rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins turns to Elizabeth's best friend Charlotte Lucas, and they are soon married—to Mrs. Bennet's profound disappointment. Soon after this disappointment, Mrs. Bennet is further discouraged by the sudden departure of Bingley from the neighbourhood. Jane is also heartbroken and Mrs. Bennet's disparaging remarks about Bingley only heighten Jane's sorrow. Elizabeth is invited to visit the newlyweds, Mr. Collins and Charlotte, in their parish. While Elizabeth is visiting the Collinses, Darcy is visiting his aunt, the same Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at her estate Rosings. Elizabeth and Darcy end up spending a lot of time together, leading Mr. Darcy to eventually declare his love for Elizabeth "against his own will" and his desire to marry her. Elizabeth is appalled (especially since she had recently learned that Darcy dissuaded Bingley from proposing to Jane) and informs Darcy "he is the last man on earth [she] would ever desire to marry."

The morning after her rejection of Darcy, Elizabeth runs into him on a walk. Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter before coldly leaving. In the letter, Darcy attempts to defend his actions to Elizabeth. He notes that, apart from her embarrassing relations, Darcy did not believe Jane a suitable match for Bingley because of her own seeming indifference to Bingley. (Elizabeth herself admits that Jane's reserved character makes it difficult for others to ascertain her true feelings.) Darcy also reveals Wickham's true character as a womanizing cad and opportunist. This throws all of Darcy's past actions in a new light for Elizabeth and gradually her prejudices against Darcy are broken down.

Later, while on vacation in with the Gardiners, her aunt and uncle, she finds herself persuaded to visit Pemberley, the estate of Mr. Darcy. While on a tour around the grounds, she bumps into him unexpectedly. His behaviour, distinctly warmer since her rejection, begins to persuade her that his pride hides a true and generous nature. Just at the point of improving her relationship with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth finds out that Lydia has eloped with Wickham. In Elizabeth's absence sixteen-year-old Lydia became Wickham's dupe when he fled his regiment to evade gambling debts. Darcy finds Wickham and forces him into marriage with Lydia, but guards this a secret from Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth finds out about Darcy's help from Lydia's callousness and finally by Mrs. Gardiner's confession. This final action completes a reversal in Elizabeth's sentiments. Finally when his aunt Lady Catherine threatens her because she has heard about Darcy's inclination for a girl lesser than he, she comes to realize that despite her rejection at his first proposal he still loves her and when he brings back Bingley to the country and in her sister Jane's life (and they soon become engaged), she opens up her heart to him and both his pride and her prejudices are forgotten, ensuring their happiness.

Themes

Marriage plays a large role in Pride and Prejudice. Some characters marry for security, some marry for wealth and some marry for love. The idea of marriage is very important throughout the novel, primarily because it was often the only way for a woman of the period to secure her freedom, social status, and living standard.

Social classes are also taken into account and play a major role as a theme in Pride and Prejudice. People of higher class are very proud of themselves and do not like to socialise with those of lower class. A pure example is Darcy when we first meet him. Also, the Bingley sisters often talk together about the way people of lower classes act and look bitterly upon them. It is also seen as bad for people of higher classes to mingle with lower classes, but Bingley puts this idea away and proves to be a very social character. Jane Austen ridicules almost all of her upper-class characters, and her heroes tend to be upper-middle or middle-class. Lizzie Bennet insists that she is of the same class as Mr. Darcy, and snobbery is one of the characteristics of a villain in Jane Austen's novels.

An important theme of all of Jane Austen's novels is how one correctly assess the characters of the people one meets. Because Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters need to marry, and need to marry well, it is vital that they be able to "read" the men in their social circle—or they might end up married to unprincipled, immoral men like Wickham. The "pride" of the book's title refers not only to Mr. Darcy's pride, but also to Lizzie's pride in her ability to read characters, which turns out to be faulty.

Another major theme is that pride and prejudice both stand in the way of relationships, as embodied in the persons of Darcy and Elizabeth respectively. Pride narrows the vision of a person and causes one to underestimate other mortals. Prejudice blinds the vision and leads to false perceptions about others. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice come in the way of understanding each other and keep them apart. Only when Darcy becomes more humble and Elizabeth becomes more accepting can they relate to one another and find happiness together.

Principal characters

Mr. Bennet — An English gentleman with an estate in Hertfordshire. He is married with five daughters, a circumstance relevant to his legacy. The terms of Mr. Bennet's inheritance require a male heir. Because he has no son, upon his death, his property is to be inherited by his closest male relative, Mr. Collins, a clergyman with whom he has had a poor relationship. Mr. Bennet, a gentle and caring man, is very close to his two elder daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. However, he has a poor opinion of the intelligence and sensibility of his wife and his three younger daughters, frequently declaring them "silly" and visiting them with insulting remarks as well as gentle teasing.

Mrs. Bennet — wife of Mr. Bennet. Her main concern in life is the prospective loss of her property and home to Mr. Collins upon her husband's death. This anxiety has spurred her to take a keen interest in seeing her daughters married well. She angles for her new neighbour, Mr. Bingley, as a match for one of them. She also hopes for a match between one of her girls and Mr. Collins himself.

Jane Bennet — the eldest of the Bennets' five daughters and the one considered the most beautiful. She has a reserved personality and tends to hide her feelings. She is incapable of suspecting the worst of people, preferring to see only the good.

Elizabeth Bennet — the second sister, 20 years old, and the protagonist of the story.

Mary Bennet — The third sister, bookish and shy. She disdains the frivolous interests of her sisters and seeks to impress others with her scholarly yet ill-timed aphorisms and musical abilities.

Catherine "Kitty" Bennet — The fourth sister, 17 years old, generally follows the lead of her younger sister, Lydia.

Lydia Bennet — the youngest of the five sisters, 15 years old. She is extremely flirtatious, naive and reckless.

William Collins — a clergyman and cousin to Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins, as the closest male relative to Mr. Bennet, stands to inherit the Bennet estate. Collins is sycophantically devoted to his patroness, the noblewoman Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Charlotte Lucas — close friend of Elizabeth and daughter of a neighbouring landowner.

Charles Bingley — a wealthy young man who leases property near to the Bennets' estate.

Louisa Hurst and Caroline Bingley — Mr. Bingley's sisters, who look down upon the Bennets and their society.

Fitzwilliam Darcy — Mr. Bingley's close friend, a reserved and proud man, who is wary of his friend's getting entangled romantically with unsuitable women.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh — aunt to Mr. Darcy and patroness of Mr. Collins. A proud and domineering woman, she has hoped for the marriage of Mr. Darcy and her daughter since they were infants.

Georgiana Darcy — sister to Mr. Darcy.

Anne de Bourgh — daughter to Lady Catherine and presumed betrothed of her cousin Mr. Darcy, suffers from some infirmity.

George Wickham — an attractive young soldier who wins the friendship of Elizabeth Bennet. There is enmity between him and Mr. Darcy.

Colonel Fitzwilliam — nephew of Lady Catherine and friend and cousin of Mr. Darcy.

Mrs. Philips — sister to Mrs. Bennet

Edward Gardiner — brother to Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips.

Mrs. Gardiner — wife of Mr. Gardiner. She is the favorite aunt of the Bennet sisters, particularly Elizabeth Bennet.

Other media adaptations

Pride and Prejudice has been the subject of many film and television adaptations [2].

  • 1940: Pride and Prejudice starring Laurence Olivier in the role of Darcy, and Greer Garson as Elizabeth.
  • 1952: Feb 2nd to March 8th. The BBC broadcast a five-episode mini-series live. This starred Ann Baskett and Peter Cushing as Mr. Darcy.
  • 1980: Pride and Prejudice, television series starring Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth and David Rintoul as Darcy, adapted by Fay Weldon.
  • 1995: Pride and Prejudice, television series starring Colin Firth as Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth, adapted by Andrew Davies. This version is widely regarded as one of the best and most popular adaptations, and was instrumental in bringing Colin Firth to popular attention.
  • 2001: Bridget Jones's Diary shares some themes with Pride and Prejudice, and the character of Mark Darcy (again played by Colin Firth in the film version) is named in deliberate homage to the original character.
  • 2003: Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-day Comedy.
  • 2004: Bride and Prejudice, the Bollywood version, directed by Gurinder Chadha and starring Anupam Kher, Aishwarya Rai, and Naveen Andrews.
  • 2005: Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

There were three additional BBC television productions of Pride and Prejudice made in 1938, 1958, and 1967.

Trivia

  • The 1995 BBC version used Lyme Hall, Cheshire as the location for "Pemberley".
  • In 2003 the BBC conducted the largest ever poll for the "UK's Best-Loved Book" in which Pride and Prejudice came second, behind The Lord of the Rings.
  • Author Philip José Farmer has placed Elizabeth and Darcy (and their descendants) in his Wold Newton family.

See also

  • "First Impressions", Broadway musical version of Pride and Prejudice

See also: Pride and Prejudice, the Musical for a recent musical adaptation.

External links

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Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility is a novel by Jane Austen that was first published in 1811. It was the first of Austen's novels to be published, under the pseudonym "A Lady."

Overview

The story concerns two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood (Elinor representing "sense" and Marianne "sensibility"). Along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, they are left impoverished after the death of their father, and the family is forced to move to a country cottage, offered to them by a generous relative.

Elinor forms an attachment to the gentle and courteous Edward Ferrars, unaware that he is already secretly engaged. After their move, Marianne meets Willoughby, a dashing young man who leads her into undisciplined behaviour, so that she ignores the attentions of the faithful Colonel Brandon.

The contrast between the sisters' characters is eventually resolved as both find love and lasting happiness.

The hugely successful 1995 film Sense and Sensibility starred Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet as the sisters, and was directed by Ang Lee. Emma Thompson's screenplay took some liberties with Austen's story in the interests of a modern audience's requirements.

Context

In 1811, Sense and Sensibility was the first published novel of the English author Jane Austen (1775–1817). The first version of the novel was probably written in 1795 as an epistolary novel (novel in letters) entitled Elinor and Marianne. At this point, Austen was still living in the home of her father, George Austen, a local Anglican rector and the father of eight children. She rewrote the early manuscript in 1797–98 as a narrated novel and then further revised it in 1809–10, shortly after she moved with her mother and sister Cassandra to a small house in Chawton on her brother Edward's estate. In 1811, Thomas Egerton of the Military Library in Whitehall accepted the manuscript for publication in three volumes. Austen published on commission, meaning she paid the expenses of printing the book and took the receipts, subject to a commission paid to the publisher. The cost of publication was more than a third of her household's 460-pound annual income, so the risk was substantial. Nonetheless, the novel received two favorable reviews upon its publication, and Austen made a profit of 140 pounds off the first edition.

When the first edition of Sense and Sensibility was published, it sold out all 750 copies by July 1813, and a second edition was advertised in October 1813. The first edition was said only to be "by a lady." The second edition, also anonymous, contained on the title page the inscription "by the author of Pride and Prejudice," which had been issued in January 1813 (though Austen had not been credited on the title page of this novel either). Only Austen's immediate family knew of her authorship of these novels. And although publishing anonymously prevented her from acquiring an authorial reputation, it also enabled her to preserve her privacy at a time when entering the public sphere was associated with a reprehensible loss of femininity. Indeed, Austen used to write at Chawton behind a door that creaked when visitors approached; she would avail herself of this warning to hide her manuscript before they entered. Austen may have wanted anonymity not only because of her gender and a desire for privacy, but because of the more general atmosphere of repression pervading her era: her early writing of Sense and Sensibility coincided with the treason trial of the political reformer Thomas Hardy and the proliferation of government censors as the Napoleonic War progressed. Whatever the reasons behind it, Austen's anonymity would persist until her death in 1817.

Contemporary critics of Austen's novels tended to overlook Sense and Sensibility in favour of the author's later works. Mansfield Park was read for moral edification; Pride and Prejudice was read for its irony and humour; and Emma was read for its subtle craft as a novel. Sense and Sensibility did not fall neatly into any of these categories, and critics approached it less eagerly. However, although the novel did not attract much critical attention, it sold well, and helped to establish "the author of Pride and Prejudice" as a respected writer.

Only in the twentieth century have scholars and critics come to address Sense and Sensibility's great passion, its ethics, and its social vision. In recent years, the book has been adapted into feature films. Today, the three-volume novel by an anonymous lady has become a famous and timeless favourite.

Summary

When Mr. Henry Dashwood dies, leaving all his money to his first wife's son John Dashwood, his second wife and her three daughters are left with no permanent home and very little income. Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) are invited to stay with their distant relations, the Middletons, at Barton Park. Elinor is sad to leave their home at Norland because she has become closely attached to Edward Ferrars, the brother-in-law of her half-brother John. However, once at Barton Park, Elinor and Marianne discover many new acquaintances, including the retired officer and bachelor Colonel Brandon, and the gallant and impetuous John Willoughby, who rescues Marianne after she twists her ankle running down the hills of Barton in the rain. Willoughby openly and unabashedly courts Marianne, and together the two flaunt their attachment to one another, until Willoughby suddenly announces that he must depart for London on business, leaving Marianne lovesick and miserable. Meanwhile, Anne and Lucy Steele, two recently discovered relations of Lady Middleton's mother, Mrs. Jennings, arrive at Barton Park as guests of the Middletons. Lucy ingratiates herself to Elinor and informs her that she (Lucy) has been secretly engaged to Mr. Ferrars for four years. Elinor initially assumes that Lucy is referring to Edward's younger brother, Robert, but is shocked and pained to learn that Lucy is actually referring to her own beloved Edward.

In Volume II of the novel, Elinor and Marianne travel to London with Mrs. Jennings. Colonel Brandon informs Elinor that everyone in London is talking of an engagement between Willoughby and Marianne, though Marianne has not told her family of any such attachment. Marianne is anxious to be reunited with her beloved Willoughby, but when she sees him at a party in town, he cruelly rebuffs her and then sends her a letter denying that he ever had feelings for her. Colonel Brandon tells Elinor of Willoughby's history of callousness and debauchery, and Mrs. Jennings confirms that Willoughby, having squandered his fortune, has become engaged to the wealthy heiress Miss Grey.

In Volume III, Lucy's older sister inadvertently reveals the news of Lucy's secret engagement to Edward Ferrars. Edward's mother is outraged at the information and disinherits him, promising his fortune to Robert instead. Meanwhile, the Dashwood sisters visit family friends at Cleveland on their way home from London. At Cleveland, Marianne develops a severe cold while taking long walks in the rain, and she falls deathly ill. Upon hearing of her illness, Willoughby comes to visit, attempting to explain his misconduct and seek forgiveness. Elinor pities him and ultimately shares his story with Marianne, who finally realizes that she behaved imprudently with Willoughby and could never have been happy with him anyway. Mrs. Dashwood and Colonel Brandon arrive at Cleveland and are relieved to learn that Marianne has begun to recover.

When the Dashwoods return to Barton, they learn from their manservant that Lucy Steele and Mr. Ferrars are married. They assume that he means Edward Ferrars, and are thus unsurprised, but Edward himself soon arrives and corrects their misconception: it was Robert, not himself, whom the money-grabbing Lucy ultimately decided to marry. Thus, Edward is finally free to propose to his beloved Elinor, and not long after, Marianne and Colonel Brandon become engaged as well. The couples live together at Delaford and remain in close touch with their mother and younger sister at Barton Cottage.

Principal characters

Henry Dashwood — A wealthy gentleman who dies at the beginning of the story. The terms of his estate prevent him from leaving anything to his second wife and their children together. He asks John, his son by his first wife, to ensure the financial security of his second wife and their three daughters.

Mrs. Dashwood — The second wife of Henry Dashwood, who is left in financial straits by the death of her husband.

Elinor Dashwood — The sensible and reserved eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. She becomes attached to Edward Ferrars, the brother-in-law of her elder half-brother, John.

Marianne Dashwood — The romantically inclined and expressive second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. She is the object of the attentions of Col. Brandon and Mr. Willoughby.

Margaret Dashwood — The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood.

John Dashwood — The son of Henry Dashwood by his first wife.

Fanny Dashwood — The wife of John Dashwood.

Sir John Middleton — a relative of Mrs. Dashwood who, after the death of Henry Dashwood, invites her and her three daughters to live in a cottage on his property. Middleton, his wife, and their children live with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings. He and Mrs. Jennings are a jolly and gossipy pair, taking an active interest in the romantic affairs of the young people around them and seeking to encourage suitable matches.

Lady Middleton — The wife of Mr. Middleton. She spoils lavishes her four children with affection.

Edward Ferrars — The elder of Fanny Dashwood's two brothers. He forms an attachment to Elinor Dashwood. Years before his meeting with the Dashwoods, Ferrars had been secretly engaged to Lucy Steele, the niece of his tutor. The engagement is kept secret owing to the expectation that Ferrars's family would object to the match with Miss Steele.

Robert Ferrars — the younger brother of Edward Ferrars and Fanny Dashwood.

Col. Christopher Brandon — Close friend of Mr. Middleton and a former comrade-in-arms. In his youth, Brandon had fallen in love, but was prevented by his family from marrying the girl. The girl later suffered numerous misfortunes, finally dying penniless and disgraced.

John Willoughby — a nephew of a neighbour of the Middletons, a dashing figure who charms Marianne.

Lucy Steele — a young relation of Mrs. Jennings, who has for some time been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars. She forms a close friendship with Elinor Dashwood and with Mrs. John Dashwood.

Anne Steele — Lucy Steele's elder sister.

Miss Grey — a wealthy heiress with whom Mr. Willoughby becomes involved.

Film and television adaptations

Sense and Sensibility has been the subject of several adaptations [3]:

  • 1971: Sense and Sensibility, BBC series starring Joanna David as Elinor Dashwood and Ciaran Madden as Marianne Dashwood
  • 1981: Sense and Sensibility, BBC series starring Irene Richard as Elinor Dashwood and Tracey Childs as Marianne Dashwood
  • 1995: Sense and Sensibility, movie starring Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood, Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood and Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars.

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Jane Austen

The text is now in the public domain.


Bibliography

Novels

  • Sense and Sensibility (published 1811)
  • Pride and Prejudice (1813)
  • Mansfield Park (1814)
  • Emma (1815)
  • Northanger Abbey (1818) posthumous
  • Persuasion (1818) posthumous

Shorter works

  • Lady Susan
  • The Watsons (incomplete novel)
  • Sanditon (incomplete novel)

Juvenilia

  • The Three Sisters
  • Love and Freindship [sic; the misspelling of "friendship" in the title is famous]
  • The History of England
  • Catharine, or the Bower
  • The Beautifull Cassandra [sic]

Jane Austen today

Austen's work is today considered an important part of the English literary canon. It is taught in universities and is the subject of a massive body of scholarly and critical work. The novels are also widely read by ordinary people, simply for pleasure. Some of her unfinished works were published but only for the family members that were still alive.

Filmography

In popular culture, Austen's novels have been adapted in a great number of film and television series, varying greatly in their faithfulness to the originals. Pride and Prejudice has been the most reproduced of her works, with six films, the most recent being the 2005 adaptation directed by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, Donald Sutherland, Matthew Macfadyen, and Dame Judi Dench, as well as the 2004 Bollywood adaptation Bride & Prejudice, and five television series produced by the BBC. The 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary included characters inspired by the novel. Emma has been adapted to film five times: in 1932 with Marie Dressler and Jean Hersholt, a 1972 British television version, the 1995 teen film Clueless, in 1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, and also in 1996 on British television with Kate Beckinsale; Sense and Sensibility four films including the 1995 version directed by Ang Lee and starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson (who won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay), and Persuasion has been adapted into two television series and one feature film. Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey have both been made into films. The 1980 film Jane Austen in Manhattan about rival film companies who wish to produce a film based on the only complete Austen play Sir Charles Grandison which was first discovered in 1980.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ BBC News. 2004. Rare Austen manuscript unveiled

Further reading

Knox-Shaw, Peter. Jane Austen and the Enlightenment ISBN-10 0521843464

External links

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