2.   Wrote many novels and other works  Many of them can be seen as parodies  Parody = something that mocks or comments on a target, often taking something serious and making it funny  She wrote during the Regency period (P&P in 1813). Jane Austen’s Writing

3.  Class System Aristocrats Have titles (Lord, Lady, Duke etc.) Title depends on aristocratic family background Lots of lands and properties and lots of money Upper gentry Usually owns land and a house Can be people who come from families who didn’t have money before (‘nouveau riche’) Lower gentry Usually don’t own their land or house Army, clergy (salary from King, aristocrats) Have just enough money to live a good life Tradespeople (business) =lower class

4.   A person must NOT become friendly with someone from the same or higher class without being introduced to him/her by someone else.  A person of the higher rank makes a ‘morning call’ (= a visit) to the person of the lower rank.  BUT neighbours may call on (= visit) someone new to the area.  The oldest daughter must marry first – before the others  Factors in deciding class: family, upbringing, wealth Simple Social Rules

5.   People were not called by their first names  ONLY relatives or very good friends did so  Men used Mr./Sir/Lord + their last names  Married women are called Mrs./Lady+ their husband’s last name  Unmarried daughters were named Daughter 1 = Miss + last name Daughter 2+ = Miss + first name + last name Example: Miss Bennet (eldest daughter); Miss Elizabeth Bennet (second oldest daughter) And you are…

6.   Many estates and money were inherited only by men (eldest son)  if a man had no sons, the estate would be given to another male relative when he died.  Women would then have to leave their home, with no money/furniture.  What does this mean for women in the gentry? Options: marriage (to a man with money) Ladies’ companion Governess little money Teacher Inheritance

7.   Women had almost no rights  Married women had a higher rank than unmarried women  BUT to get married it depended on your dowry (how much money your family would give to the marriage)  Women were spinsters at age 30 (old maids with no prospect of marriage) The Role of Women

8.   “Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony”  “A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can” Jane Austen said… Joke?

9.  Note-taking 1. VISUAL  Bullet points, lists  Highlight, underline, use colour, diagrams 2. SHORT AND SWEET NOT complete sentences Use symbols or abbreviations (@, +, ->, sis) Write clearly ( so you can read it later ) Write logically ( include page numbers, write events in order, etc.) ONLY THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION 3. PERSONAL Remember: these notes are just for you!! (use your own words!)

10.   From: page v, Pride and Prejudice “Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, in the south of England, in 1775. She was the seventh of eight children of George Austen, the minister of Steventon church and his wife Cassandra Leigh. Jane spent the first 25 years of her life at home in Steventon, where she learned French, Italian, music and needlework. She was taught by her father, who encouraged her to read widely. The family also enjoyed performing plays, and it seemed that Jane took part in these. She began writing at the age of 14 as entertainment for her family. When George Austen left his post in 1801, the family moved to Bath. When he died four years later, Jane moved back to Hampshire with her mother and sister and lived there until her death at the age of forty one. The last few years of her life were affected by the disease that killed her and the suffering it caused her. Jane Austen’s life was an uneventful one. She never married; she received proposals of marriage, though, and accepted one of them before changing her mind the next day. She was very close to her family, in particular to her sister Cassandra, who also remained single. It seems that this quiet, ordered existence was necessary to Jane in order that she could write.” Jane Austen

11.  Jane Austen – influential?

12.   Pride -> negative and positive meanings In the novel = negative  Prejudice – see habit 6  What will the book be about? Pride and Prejudice

13.   Read chapters 1+2  Take notes (in your notebook)  Check: Could you explain the most important ideas using only your notes? Homework: Note-taking CharactersEvents  Names  Details about people  Relationships  Character development  Main ideas  Places  What happens?