Jane Austen Essay, Research Paper

It is wrong to conclude that Jane Austen lived during an

uneventful period in history. Her short life took place in

the reign of George III and had several important events

and changes as its background (Sherry10)

“She is known for her witty and penetrating portrayals of provincial society” (Austen). It is possible to understand, or misunderstand Jane Austen’s works, for her art is such that one can only read on the surface and miss much of what exists underneath (Sherry10). Jane Austen’s life and novels have influenced movies based on the content of her books. Jane Austen daughter of Cassandra Leigh Austen was born on December 16,1775, in a small village called Steventon in England (Austen). Jane was the seventh of eight children in an extraordinarily close, affectionate, intelligent, and lively family (Austen). Her father was a rector, so many of Jane’s years were spent at a rectory. When Jane was about seven she and her sister Cassandra went through several years of formal education, first at a private school in Oxford and then at Southampton and later at the Abbey School in Reading (Magill 110). By the time she was nine, Jane was back at home again and her formal education had come to and end (Sherry14). The person Jane was closest to within her family was her older sister Cassandra. They were three years apart and the only girls among the eight children (Magill 112).

For their education after that the sisters must have depended

largely upon their father and brothers, the cultured atmosphere of

their home, and their contacts with relatives. This did not provide them

with poor education, in their home they were always encouraged to

read. This reading was not only to oneself, but aloud as a family

entertainment, with all the discussions and criticisms (Sherry14).

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Jane Austen had also the traditional accomplishments of the female of her day–she sang, played the piano, and drew (Sherry15). Jane entered into several brief romantic

attachments, but she never got married (Magill 112). During a visit to Devonshire, she met a young man to whom she was much attracted, but he died soon afterwards (Sherry17).

“Austen’s writing life is less easily chronicled”. “Inspired by her own love of reading,…

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