 Jane Austen

About Jane Austen  Jane Austen was born in She died at the age of 41.  She began writing around the age of 11.  She did not marry, although she fell in love with a young clergy man, but he died suddenly at the age of 26.  She agreed to marry a wealthy man but broke off the engagement the next day. Because she thought that they were not a good match even though he could have saved her from old life in poverty.  She spent her life among family and friends mainly in Hampshire, in southern England.

Her Family  The Austen household was a lively and literary one. Her father was a clergy man and her mother was from an upper class family.  In the Austen household they were readers of literature and often they discussed it with each other and also read to each other, and put on plays.  She was close to her sister Cassandra and had six brothers.

Her Work  When she began writing around the age of 11, she wrote parodies of popular literature for the entertainment of her family.  When she was in her early 20’s she began to write full-length novels. She kept it a secret from her family. But they then became supporters of her work.  In 1795 she began her work on her best novels, sense and sensibility.  In 1797 her father submitted an early version of pride and prejudice to a publisher, but it was rejected.  Both novels were rewritten before their eventual publication in 1811 and 1813.

Technique/work  In all her novels she focuses on courtship and marriage.  Her novels provide a realistic picture of relationships between men and women.  Critics are amazed by her craftsmanship: her intricate and balanced plots, her dialogue, her controlled ironic tone which is amusing and critical at the same time.  Virginia Woolf says: “Of all great writers she is the most difficult to catch in the act of greatness.”