Talk with Jane Austen

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security. Her works, though fundamentally comic, highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing and economic security.

Born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England, Austen lived most of her life in the close-knit family circle, which heavily influenced her writing. Her father was a clergyman, and the family was part of the lower ranks of English gentry. Although she lived a relatively quiet and ordinary life, Austen's keen observation of characters and manners informs her well-loved novels.

Austen's major novels include "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," "Mansfield Park," "Emma," "Northanger Abbey," and "Persuasion," all of which have been studied for their literary technique, depth of character, and commentary on the society of her time. Despite her books’ focus on romance and marriage, Austen herself remained single throughout her life.

She died on July 18, 1817, and her work did not receive widespread acclaim during her lifetime, but she was writing at a time when female authors were not as accepted as male authors. Her work has since become central in the English literary canon, and she is celebrated as one of the most important English writers.

Jane Austen was not directly involved in any political movements. Her novels, written during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, focus primarily on the domestic and social concerns of the landed gentry and middle classes of England. Although her works subtly reflect the social dynamics and constraints of her time, including class distinctions and the limited roles available to women, she did not overtly champion political or social reforms in the manner that some later authors did. Her approach to the issues of her day was primarily through the lens of personal relationships and morality rather than through active political engagement.

Jane Austen completed six major novels during her lifetime. These are:

1. "Sense and Sensibility" (1811)
2. "Pride and Prejudice" (1813)
3. "Mansfield Park" (1814)
4. "Emma" (1815)
5. "Northanger Abbey" (published posthumously in 1817)
6. "Persuasion" (published posthumously in 1817)

These novels are highly regarded and continue to be studied, celebrated, and adapted into various forms of media.

Jane Austen stopped writing "Sanditon" due to her declining health. She began working on the novel in January 1817, but her health deteriorated over the course of the year. Austen was suffering from what is now believed to have been Addison's disease or perhaps Hodgkin's lymphoma, and these ailments significantly hindered her ability to continue writing. She eventually ceased work on "Sanditon" in March 1817, and she passed away a few months later on July 18, 1817. The novel remains unfinished as a result.

Jane Austen had six brothers and one sister, making a total of seven siblings. Her brothers were James, George, Edward, Henry Thomas, Francis (Frank), and Charles, and her only sister was Cassandra, with whom she had a very close relationship throughout her life.

Discover and learn about people that are similar to Jane Austen.