As the month of June comes upon us, a sense of excitement and romance begins to fill the air, especially for those of us who absolutely LOVE romantic novels. The vision I see are beautiful gardens with all sorts of blooms and greenery, with a lovely little white "she shed" with beautiful flowers/plants inside, a cute wrought iron white table and chairs nestled amongst the garden, all the while allowing myself to get lost in my thoughts or my book. What better author to showcase than Jane Austen herself --- the epitome of romance novels.
Jane Austen had six novels published, and even completed some poetry. Her books are very well know, and have been adapted to film in an array of ways. I mean, even Bollywood made a movie based on one of her books! She is seen as versatile. Strong. Outspoken. Many women turn to her novels for a sort of escape, and to be honest, I just think the essence of her writing is serene. It provides a sense of escapism. A way to envision an exquisite way of life. The prim and proper way of society appeals to our imagination. The idealistic mannerisms and life of the Regency Era (part of the Gregorian Period) sends our senses on such a daydream that we hope to never wake. Her characters are not only dreamy and well behaved gentlemen, but strong in conviction women who are the main characters. Women who test the boundaries of society. Much like Ms. Austen herself, perhaps?
Jane Austen was born December 16, 1775 to Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Austen. Her Father was a Preacher in Steventon, England. She was 1 of 7 children, mainly brothers, but she did have one sister named also, Cassandra. Being that her Father was a Reverend, he saw the need for education for all his children, so when it became time he sent his two daughters off to boarding school where they had a classical education. Girls during this time rarely went to school, it was not something that was deemed necessary if they were to just marry, take care of a home, and take care of their children. It was here that Ms. Austen found a love for writing, reading, and the arts. She kept poems and other writings inside a notebook for further consideration and inspiration.
A big question that many have is, did Jane Austen fall in love? Was her own personal life the catalyst for the so well-loved novels we read today? What we do know is that she did fall in love with a young man named Tom Lefroy. He was a student at the time, studying to become a Barrister or better known as a Lawyer. His studies took up much of his time, but he found time for Jane. They grew very fond of each other, but according to Tom's family, it was not a practical pairing. His studies were too important and could not take care of a wife, and Jane (her family as well) had nothing to offer. She was unsuitable for the likes of the Lefroy family, so they sent Tom somewhere else as a means to end their relationship. Quite awful, but this was common for this time period. Today, this would not fly. However, families at the time of Ms. Austen were highly involved in the love lives of their children. Dowries were a big thing, so that the couples could start off on the right start. Once she was seen as not proper for the Lefroy family, Jane Austen never found another love. I feel like this experience led to her writing First Impressions or better known today as, Pride and Prejudice. The first draft was complete in 1799.
As the 18th Century came to a close, her father was ready to help support Jane in her endeavors to even get something published, but to no surprise, the publishing company in London rejected the novel. One may say, why not a surprise? Because women back then were not seen to be more than a wife and mother. It is not sure if Jane knew her father did this or not. However, she continued to write and yes, she did receive another proposal from a close family friend whose son was to come upon a large amount of real estate. This seemed perfect! He knew Jane well, as did she know him, but big problem -- she did not love him. She accepted the proposal initially, but as her characters, she revoked the proposal. She simply did not love him and as we see in her novels, love is key.
What does a young woman with no will to marry, except for love, supposed to do? Especially when the father passes? Her one brother, Edward became their benefactor and caretaker where he offered them Chawton Cottage for the three of them. After much issue with a copyright issue for her novel Susan, she was determined to publish. She fought for her novels, so between her and her brother Henry who became her literary agent, her manuscript for Sense and Sensability was published in 1811 and became a huge success as the first edition sold out in 1813. Due to the success of this first novel, Egerton then felt he needed to publish more of Jane Austen's work, so in 1813, the most beloved book and what most people today equate Jane Austen with penning was Pride and Prejudice became published. Critics were not pleased with Austen's work, but the public just loved her writings. She brought in a lot of financial success to her publisher and her family.
She continued to write, and had much success, but as she came upon her 40th birthday, her health began to decline. It became a chore to just walk, so she became bed ridden, thus making it hard for her to continue to write. In May 1817, couple months before her death, her brother Henry and sister Cassandra brought her to Winchester for treatment, but it was futile to try as the medical profession didn't have a cure. On July 18, 1817, Jane Austen passed away in Winchester, England. She had works unfinished, and unpublished. Henry and Cassandra could not allow her works to go unpublished, so they worked hard on making sure they were.
Interesting fact, Jane Austen was never named as the author initially of any of her published works while she was alive. If she had been, the books probably never would have been successful. Knowing this, her beloved brother Henry, penned an author's note to be published with the combined novels of Northanger and Persuasion revealing who the real author was, Jane Austen.
Jane Austen's love for writing and her exceptional penmanship, has captured the Regency Era with perfection. She knew what she wanted, but never could have that lasting love. Her heart was with Tom Lefroy, and through her works, we see Jane embodied within her characters. To this day, she is highly read and loved. If you do a simple Google search, you will come up with over 12,200,000+ results. Countless Jane Austen groups, societies, book clubs, etc. Even Social Media is abundant with groups, memes, book clubs, you name it, it is there for your delight and secret, or not so secret fan girl/boy self.
Her books have inspired films, and other books based upon the love for Jane Austen literature. There are academics, societies, teas, fashion inspiration based off of Jane Austen and the Regency era that it is hard to not know the name of Jane Austen. It is as if Jane Austen and the Regency Era are synonymous with one another. The idealistic romance consisting of courtship, love letters, dances, walks in the courtyard of an estate, and the ultimate fashion that is carefully crafted with lace, intricate materials, and silks. Even the break ups seem romantic and proper despite the harshness.
How we decide to envision our lives are on us, but as Jane Austen vehemently said, never marry out of need, but because you are in love. I love the Regency, overall Gregorian, and Victorian Eras, but at times I even get swept up in this dream of complete romance. I forget about reality, and the history of these time periods and that is what good literature is for, to take you to times and places you have not experienced in person. Books create an escapism. So, happy reading everyone and pick up one of Jane Austen's novels or poetry, you will not be disappointed.
List of novels:
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Photo credit: BBC website
Bibliography: https://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.php and https://www.jasna.org