Jane Austen
Jane Austen, born 1775-1817, is one of the most influential female writers in English literature. A pioneer in fiction, she criticized the novels of sensibility, a prevailing genre of literature at that time, aspiring to educate people on morality instead of emphasizing sentiment over logic. Her characters often undergo a journey through which they come to see themselves more clearly and become wiser and more righteous people. Austen’s works magnify the lives of ordinary people, and with the help of irony and parody, revitalize these seemingly unremarkable lives.
Despite Austin’s contemporary fame, her works were all published anonymously during her lifetime. Her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, was credited “by a woman.” On a more amusing tone, her second novel, Pride and Prejudice, was merely released under the attribution of “by the author of Sense and Sensibility.” In her era, it was considered vulgar for women to express their ideas openly. Given the many prevalent societal norms, women who published books were “public women,” subjecting them to the censorship of society. However, Austin did not let these conventions deter her.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
—— Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Austin’s most notable novel, Pride and Prejudice, challenges the traditional portrayal of women in literature.
Marriage is a central theme in this story, as connoted in the opening line of the novel (the above quote); women’s respectability and financial stability solely depended on their husbands. The protagonist of the story, an intelligent girl named Elizabeth Bennet, defies social norms by being outspoken and valuing personal growth over society’s acceptance. She turns down a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins and rejects the first proposal from Darcy, a man whom any girl would crave to marry, for she would never marry for money or to a man she dislikes. In contrast, however, Elizabeth’s friend, a girl similarly intelligent like her named Charlotte succumbs to the pressure of society and accepts Mr. Collins proposal to her after Elizabeth turned him down. At the end of the story, Elizabeth removes the veil of prejudice that shades her eyes and realizes that her happiness lies with Mr. Darcy, thus leading to their marriage. By deftly crafting such animate characters, Austen subtly questions the extensive belief that women are defined by their marital status, advocating for women’s pursuit of genuine happiness instead of a pragmatic outcome.
Jane Austin’s influence on women in literature extends far beyond her time. Her revolutionary portrayal of women who defy their passive archetypes by asserting themselves, challenging the norms of gender, and pursuing self-autonomy, is a profound legacy transcending generations in literature. Renowned writers, such as Virginia Woolf and Charlotte Bronte, have acknowledged Austin’s impact on their works. Through her insightful novels, Austin continues to inspire readers and writers alike, leaving a lasting mark of empowerment for women in literature.
