Jane Austen is celebrated worldwide, her books have led to movies, television series, and those who admire her life; her talent allowed her to capture her readers with the themes, love, marriage, and expectations of 19th century women.
On December 16th 1775, English literature changed with the birth of Jane Austen. One of eight; her father encouraged her to grow and prosper at a young age. She was closest with her only sister Cassandra. The Austen children were educated mainly at home, primarily through Jane’s father who used resources at Oxford University. The learning style may have been different from traditional education, but all members of the Austen family were involved, primarily through reading aloud. “There was also a great deal of reading aloud in the Austen household. Many families at the time would have one of their members read to the others while they carried out small tasks. Reading aloud was considered a highly valuable professional and social skill.”(Kelly) Austen was encouraged to read and she began writing at an early age. “The juvenilia, written in her early and mid teens are already incisive and elegantly expressed; Love and Friendship was written when she was fourteen, “A History of England” at fifteen; at 16 a Collection of Letters; and sometime during these same years, Lesley Castle. (Oxford 51) Jane’s early start contributed to her later works, enabling her to write powerful and detailed stories. Her access to the books at Oxford allowed her to enjoy reading and her fathers support and education enabled her to read and write.
Although Jane wrote numerous books, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility show love in Austen’s point of view. Pride and Prejudice follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet a...
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In her novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen used the character of Elizabeth Bennet to epitomize the harmonious balance between reason and emotion in a woman, making her a truly admirable and attractive character.
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In her novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen portrays Elizabeth Bennet as "strong and intelligent, yet bewitching in a completely feminine way". Elizabeth's possession of these attributes: strength of character and moral integrity, great intelligence, and an attractive personality, make her an admirable person. Yet Elizabeth has faults, which makes her more human. Austen's portrayal of Elizabeth is realistic and masterful, often juxtaposing her with characters lacking her attributes to heighten our appreciation of her.
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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...
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