Jane Austen
Jane Austen was a renowned XNUMXth century novelist, her works are considered classics of English literature. His most outstanding novel was Pride and prejudice, a romantic story set at the time, published anonymously in 1813. For centuries, this narrative has served as inspiration for other authors, as well as being adapted for the screen on multiple occasions.
Austen captured a unique and dynamic style, loaded with everyday life, moralism and with precise descriptions of the traditions of the society of that period. Many lawyers consider her to be a conservative literary man, although today's feminist critics maintain that she was a faithful defender of women. In 2007, the life of the writer was taken to the cinema, with the film: Becoming Jane.
Biography
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in the small English town of Steventon in northern Hampshire. His parents were the Anglican Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Leigh. She was the penultimate child of the eight children of the marriage, in addition to being the second girl of the group. Since she was little, Jane was very close to her older sister, Cassandra.
Family, education and custom of the time
Within society, the Austen they belonged to the "gentry", one of the groups with less status within the aristocracy. They did not have great wealth and their income only covered basic expenses, so Jane's brothers had to work from a young age. However, she affirmed through letters that they enjoyed a happy childhood in which their father stimulated them intellectually.
At that time women received basic education at home, although if the family had possibilities, they could send their daughters to school. In 1783,, Cassandra was supposed to go study outside, but Jane refused to let him go away from her. For this, the priest decided to send them together to a boarding school in Oxford, but it was only for a short time, since both had to return after falling ill with typhus.
In 1785, Jane and Cassandra attended Abbey boarding school in the town of Reading; but, because they could not pay the tuition, they had to return. From there, they continued their education at home, in which their father was very supportive.. The reverend had an extensive library and always motivated the habit of read in the family group, hence Jane was an avid reader since she was a child.
Beginnings in writing
It is estimated that Austen started writing at an early age, Proof of this are the notebooks made between 1787 and 1793, which include several short stories. These little stories were published at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, as juvenile works gathered in three volumes. Some of the stories included are: "Lesley's Castle", "The Three Sisters" and "Catherine".
Novels
Beginning in 1795, Austen drew up drafts of her first novels, which — after moving to Chawton in 1809 — she revised before they were published. The first one accepted by an editor was: Sense and Sensibility (1811) This narrative was submitted anonymously, only with the signature “by a lady”. The work enjoyed a good acceptance on the part of the critics of the time.
Following the success of this book, he published Pride and prejudice (1813), novel with which the writer began to be recognized. A year later it came to light Mansfield Park (1814), whose copies sold quickly. At the end of the year 1815, the author published her last work in life, Emma. In 1818 his works were made known Northanger Abbey y persuasion.
Death
Jane Austen He died on July 18, 1817 in the city of Winchester, with only 41 years of age. Currently, it is presumed that his death was due to suffering from Addison's disease. The remains of the writer rest in Winchester Cathedral.
Jane Austen novels
- Sense and Sensibility (1811)
- Pride and prejudice (1813)
- Mansfield Park (1814)
- Emma (1815)
- Northanger Abbey (1818) posthumous work
- persuasion (1818) posthumous work
Jane Austen book synopsis
Sense and Sensibility (1811)
The life of Elinor, Marianne and Margaret Dashwood changes drastically after the death of his father. The man has left all his assets to the male child he had in his previous union, John. Although the heir swears to ensure the safety and comfort of the helpless women, Fanny - his wife - complicates everything. The situation leads to the girls must move with his mother to a small and humble house.
The general plot centers on Elinor and Marianne, as Margaret is just a child. From their new economic and social reality, life does its thing, and young women begin to meet new friends and go through the ups and downs of love.
Each one assumes life differently; Elinor, who is the oldest, is considerably mature and focused. Marianne, for her part, is a passionate girl and very sentimentall. However, in the development of the plot an alternation in the personalities of the protagonists can be appreciated.
The story takes place in a search for love according to the perspective of each young person. While the typical complications of the plot occur, the Dashwood sisters are torn between sense and sensibility within the traditions of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie of XNUMXth century England.
Pride and prejudice (1813)
At the end of XNUMXth century, in a rural area of England lives the Bennet family, the couple and their 5 daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine and Lydia. Due to its economic situation and the ingrained customs of the time, the mother is focused on finding them good marriages. Although, he is concerned about Elizabeth - Lizzie - and her difficult character, who claims to have no desire to ever marry.
Suddenly, the arrival to the town of two important young people —Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy— arouse the attention of Mrs. Bennet, who sees in them the perfect future for their older daughters, Jane and Lizzie. From there, both relationships go through different situations. The fate of the protagonists is torn between prejudices, arrogance, mysteries, passions and many mixed feelings.
Mansfield Park (1814)
Little Fanny Price has been taken in by her wealthy uncles: his mother's sister, Lady Bertram; and her husband, Sir Thomas. The family lives in the Mansfield Park mansion with their four children: Tom, Edmund, Maria and Julia. Due to its humble origin, the young woman is subjected to constant contempt from her cousins, except Edmund, who treats her with kindness and politeness
This scenario remains for years Fanny grows up with a different treatment, although her gratitude towards Edmund turns into a secret love. One day, Sir Thomas makes an important journey, which coincides with the arrival at Mansfield Park of the Crawford brothers: Henry and Mary.
The visit of these young people will drag this family into various entanglements and seductions. Between loves, confrontations and passions, only Fanny —From his perspective— may herald those latent threats.
Emma (1815)
Emma woodhouse is a beautiful intelligent young woman, who has taken as a mission to arrange marriages for all those close to him. For her, her love life is not a priority, she cares more about that of third parties.
Everything was going well in Emma's life, until Taylor — her governess and friend — is getting married. After this event, the situation between the two changes remarkably, so the young woman Woodhouse is plunged into a deep loneliness. However, the young woman seeks to cope with sadness through her vocation as a matchmaker.
Emma soon finds a new friend, Harriet Smith, a humble young woman. Even though the girl doesn't have high aspirations, the matchmaker insists on finding her a wealthy husband. However, Harriet refuses to be manipulated, which collapses Woodhouse's plans. The truth is that between a very diverse plot twists combined with the appearance of new and well-structured characters, the "casadora" ends up in a situation that she never thought for herself.
