Jane Austen was an English novelist born in 1775 who wrote 6 major works exploring the expectations of women in early 19th century English society. She examined the difficulties women faced regarding inheritance, financial security, and finding a suitable husband. Her novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma were published during her lifetime, while Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published posthumously. Though she never married, Austen gained recognition as a brilliant observer of her society and its prejudices through her witty and insightful narratives.

1. Jane Austen(1775-1817) Views of a Prejudice Society

2. Jane Austen

3. Sense and Sensibility (1811) Pride and Prejudice (1813) Mansfield Park (1814) Emma (1815) Persuasion (1817) Northanger Abbey (1817) Austen’s Published Writings

4. Juvenilia Love and Friendship (1922) Lady Susan (1871) The Watsons Sandition Austen’s Minor Writings

5. Born December 16, 1775 in the village of Steventon, Hampshire, the seventh of eight children. Interest in writing started early where she wrote enthusiastic short stories for her family’s amusements. Her father’s own death in 1805 left her family struggling financially and in the end had to take assistance from her brother. Struggled many years to have her literature published. Died at the age of 41 having never married but fulfilled her dream as an accomplished writer. “She never wrote a memoir, sat for an interview, or recorded whether she had herself felt the joys and disappointments of love”. Four of her novels were published anonymously “By A Lady”. Jane Austen’s Life

6. Early Nineteenth Century English Society The only respectable paid work open to a woman was the job of lady companion or of governess. Women were dependent on the income of their father and the amount of the given dowry. The inheritance of the family estate will immediately go to the next male relative upon the fathers death. The only way for a woman to secure her position financially and reputation, was by marrying a man of wealth. Once a girl marries her property becomes her husband’s.

7. Sense and Sensibility Austen’s first published novel (1811). Austen published this novel anonymously “By A Lady”. First draft of the manuscript was titled “Elinor and Marianna”. Austen displays the prejudice against women under the process of male primogeniture. Austen conveys the difficulties of securing a husband with little money to offer. Austen’s novels are also love stories where the young middle-class heroine will fall in love and live happily ever after.

8. Pride and Prejudice Austen’s second published novel (1813). The most successful to date. First draft of the manuscript was titled “First Impressions”. Examines the social order upon diverse classes of society. Again Austen’s heroines face issues with property inheritance and limited income.

9. Mansfield Park Austen’s third published novel (1814). Started writing in 1811. Deals with the disadvantages of society and concerns with matrimony. Known as Austen’s least favorite publication.

10. Emma Austen’s last publication (1815) before her death. One of a kind romantic comedy. Much different from her previous novels. Emma Woodhouse is a youthful, attractive lady living in upper-class society. Emma has an extreme imagination and uses her influence to fix up friends. Emma’s lack of discipline and worldly knowledge work against her. Austen still touches on an unsettling society when Emma attempts to match based on necessity, not love. Emma was Austen’s favorite heroine to date.

11. Persuasion & Northanger Abbey “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion” was published together in 1817, after Austen’s death. “Northanger Abbey focuses on Catherine Morland’s love of gothic tales. Morland’s travels at an early age help her to escape from fantasy and gain worldly wisdom about her society. “Persuasion” is known as Austen’s most perceptive and mature work. Austen scrutinizes existence among English gentry.

12. "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.“ "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man is in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.“ "It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage.“ "One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.“ "Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony.“ "Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.“ "Why not seize the pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!" Famous Austen Quotes

13. Ever musing I delight to tread The Paths of honour and the Myrtle Grove Whilst the pale Moon her beams doth shed On disappointed Love. While Philomel on airy hawthorn Bush Sings sweet and Melancholy, And the thrush Converses with the Dove. Gently brawling down the turnpike road, Sweetly noisy falls the Silent Stream-- The Moon emerges from behind a Cloud And darts upon the Myrtle Grove her beam. Ah! then what Lovely Scenes appear, The hut, the Cot, the Grot, and Chapel queer, And eke the Abbey too a mouldering heap, Cnceal'd by aged pines her head doth rear And quite invisible doth take a peep. Ode to Pity

14. Jane Austen: Views of a Prejudice Society Christi Fenton Troy University July 18, 2010 English 1102 Ms. Elizabeth Owens