Jane AustenJane Austen

A Critical IntroductionA Critical Introduction

Biographical InformationBiographical Information

Austen was born in 1775Austen was born in 1775She was one of 8 childrenShe was one of 8 childrenHer father was a clergyman; her mother Her father was a clergyman; her mother

was from an upper-middle-class familywas from an upper-middle-class familyAusten never marriedAusten never marriedShe began writing full-length novels in her She began writing full-length novels in her

twentiestwentiesShe died at age 41She died at age 41

The HeroineThe Heroine

In all of her novels, Austen focuses on In all of her novels, Austen focuses on courtship and marriage. In each case, courtship and marriage. In each case, readers see society—one that had narrow readers see society—one that had narrow and rigid expectations for women—and rigid expectations for women—through the eyes of a lively and perceptive through the eyes of a lively and perceptive heroine. heroine.

The HeroineThe Heroine

Female Empowerment in AustenFemale Empowerment in Austen

Women’s Level of EmpowermentWomen’s Level of Empowerment

““Single women have a dreadful propensity Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor—which is one very strong for being poor—which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony”—Jane argument in favour of matrimony”—Jane Austen in a letterAusten in a letter

In the early 1800’s, few middle-class In the early 1800’s, few middle-class women could choose not to marry or to women could choose not to marry or to marry simply for love. Women, in general, marry simply for love. Women, in general, were not able to hold jobs or earn their were not able to hold jobs or earn their own living.own living.

Marriage: The Only WayMarriage: The Only Way

In addition, property and money were In addition, property and money were passed down through the male side of the passed down through the male side of the family—women could not inherit.family—women could not inherit.

Since women usually could not earn a Since women usually could not earn a living and they could not inherit, marriage living and they could not inherit, marriage was the only path to financial security.was the only path to financial security.

An Accomplished WomanAn Accomplished Woman

In order to attract a suitable husband, women In order to attract a suitable husband, women focused on becoming “accomplished” in ladylike focused on becoming “accomplished” in ladylike arts such as singing, playing the piano, drawing arts such as singing, playing the piano, drawing and dancing.and dancing.

Receiving a well-rounded education was not Receiving a well-rounded education was not considered a priority for young women—though considered a priority for young women—though Austen’s father encouraged all his daughters to Austen’s father encouraged all his daughters to receive a well-rounded education. receive a well-rounded education.

A critical reflectionA critical reflection

Elizabeth Bennet, in comparison to the Elizabeth Bennet, in comparison to the women in literature that have proceeded women in literature that have proceeded her, is a radical personality: “For the first her, is a radical personality: “For the first time in English literature, outside time in English literature, outside Shakespeare, we meet heroines who are Shakespeare, we meet heroines who are credible, with minds, with the capacity to credible, with minds, with the capacity to think for themselves, with ambition and think for themselves, with ambition and wit.”wit.”

A Central QuestionA Central Question

How can a complex person maintain his or How can a complex person maintain his or her individuality and freedom in a world of her individuality and freedom in a world of social pressures and restrictions?social pressures and restrictions?

The English Middle ClassThe English Middle Class

Austen’s novels focus on “ordinary Austen’s novels focus on “ordinary people”—members of the English middle-people”—members of the English middle-class who, through professions or class who, through professions or business, who had risen to the level of business, who had risen to the level of land-owning gentry.land-owning gentry.

Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money

A Marxist Analysis Money and A Marxist Analysis Money and ClassClass

Social SettingSocial Setting

Almost all of the characters are member’s Almost all of the characters are member’s of England’s middle class or upper classof England’s middle class or upper class

There is a distinction between the “new There is a distinction between the “new rich” and the “old rich”rich” and the “old rich”

New Rich-families who have acquired New Rich-families who have acquired wealth through trade or businesswealth through trade or business

Old Rich-Families who have inherited their Old Rich-Families who have inherited their wealth wealth

Social Setting IISocial Setting II

Austen depicts significant differences Austen depicts significant differences between the two classesbetween the two classes

Track the social standings between the Track the social standings between the different characters—also note who has a different characters—also note who has a title (the ultimate sign of power in the title (the ultimate sign of power in the society)society)

Introduction to the Families

The Bennet Family

The Darcy Family

The Bingley Family

The Lucas Family

The Cast of CharactersThe Cast of Characters

An Introduction to Major An Introduction to Major Characters: Chapters 1-12Characters: Chapters 1-12

The Bennet FamilyThe Bennet Family

Parents: Parents: Mr. BennetMr. Bennet Mrs. BennetMrs. Bennet

ChildrenChildren JaneJane ElizabethElizabeth MaryMary KittyKitty LydiaLydia

Cousin: Mr. CollinsCousin: Mr. Collins

The Darcy FamilyThe Darcy Family

Old Mr. DarcyOld Mr. DarcyLady Anne DarcyLady Anne DarcyDarcyDarcyGeorgiana DarcyGeorgiana Darcy

The Bingley FamilyThe Bingley Family

BingleyBingleyLouisa HurstLouisa HurstCaroline. Caroline.

The Lucas FamilyThe Lucas Family

Sir WilliamSir WilliamLady LucasLady LucasCharlotte—Elizabeth’s good friend!Charlotte—Elizabeth’s good friend!Maria. Maria.

An Opening Question to ConsiderAn Opening Question to Consider

What factors influence your first What factors influence your first impression of a person? How accurate do impression of a person? How accurate do you think first impressions are?you think first impressions are?