Pride and prejudice

By Jane Austen

Jane Austen

• What do you know about Jane Austen?

In pairs research the author Jane Austen.

Find out:

• Her family.

• Her early life.

• Her adult life.

• Her books.

• How her work was received.

Where can I find this information?

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen

• www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/austen_jane.shtml

• www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janelife.html

Use the worksheet provided to jot down what you have found out.

Jane Austen’s books have been made into many films. How many have you seen?

Georgian EnglandJane Austen was alive during King George III’s reign.• King George III 1760 - 1820• Age 22-81 • Grandson of George II • Married Charlotte (German) • Fifteen children • Buried at Windsor.• George III was the first Hanoverian monarch to be born in England. He was the son of Frederick

Louis, Prince of Wales, and grandson of George II. He was the first monarch since Queen Anne to put British interests well before those of Hanover.

• George III ruled for 50 years and fathered 15 children. • Australia was colonised. • His reign was the age of some of the greatest names in English literature - Jane Austen, Byron,

Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth. • It was also the time of great statesmen like Pitt and Fox and great captains like Wellington and

Nelson. • In 1773 the 'Boston Tea Party' was the first sign of the troubles that were to come in America.

The American Colonies proclaimed their independence on July 4th 1776. • The 1790s saw the French Revolution. The wars with France continued until Napoleon's defeat at

Waterloo in 1815.

Life for women in Georgian England was very different from today. What can you find

out about it?Watch Becoming Jane and make notes on

what life was like for women.• How are they expected to meet their

husbands?• What happens if they don’t marry?• Who can inherit money?• How can women progress in life?• What do you learn about Jane Austen’s

life that you didn’t already know?

Use the internet and library to find out more about women in Georgian England.

• www.uah.edu/colleges/liberal/education/S1998/jennyd.html

• www.enotes.com/.../what-economic-conditions-women-pride-prejudice-16001

• eportg.cgc.maricopa.edu/published/h/is/.../index-2.2.shtml

This will help you understand the social and historical context of the novel

Now watch the film and answer the questions on the worksheet provided.

Now you have researched the background and watch the film it is time to

start studying the text.

Remember this essay is entered for your English and English Literature coursework folder.

Good Luck