Jane Austen is one of the most famous and renowned British writers, known for her romantic and social fiction works from the early 19th century. She was born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England, and lived most of her life in rural communities. Austen is considered one of the most important English-language writers, and her works continue to be read and appreciated worldwide.
The Works of Jane Austen
Austen wrote six complete novels in a style that features characteristics of transition between Romanticism and Realism. The novels published during her lifetime were Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1817), and Persuasion (1818). These works are known for their accuracy in portraying the life of the English middle class in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as for the humor and insightful analysis of human relationships.
Her books are marked by strong female characters who, above all, they grow. For example, Elizabeth Bennet had to make progress and not be so proud and prejudiced (joking aside); Emma Woodhouse learns that meddling in other people’s lives and trying to influence them can be a disaster; Anne Elliot lets herself be persuaded and ends up suffering for years the loss of her love. In fact, Jane Austen is also known for her ability to portray the everyday life of ordinary people. Her precise observations about social relations and class hierarchies are not so different from today. The ironic tone and social criticism are striking features of her writing.
Death and Legacy
Jane Austen died at the age of 41. At the time, it was not known precisely what had caused her death, occurred in 1817. Today, it is believed that she died due to Addison’s disease. However, recently, researchers from the British Library, after analyzing the author’s eyeglasses, suggested that she may have been poisoned by arsenic. This hypothesis is widely discussed and not accepted by the academic community.
Although her popularity declined somewhat after her death, from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, her reputation began to grow again. Today, Austen’s work continues to be studied and appreciated all over the world. Many of her novels have been adapted for film and television. One of the reasons for Austen’s work’s longevity is its ability to speak to contemporary readers. Her stories feature characters who grapple with issues that are still relevant today, such as marriage, love, money, social status, and family relationships. In addition, her books are so well-written and engaging that it’s hard not to fall in love with her characters and become wrapped up in their stories.
So, Jane Austen is a writer of great importance and her literary legacy continues to be celebrated even today. Her works are a testimony to her ability to observe and portray the society in which she lived, and her stories continue to inspire and captivate readers of all ages.
