Background
Jane Austen was an English novelist born on December 16, 1775, Steventon, Hampshire, and died July 18, 1817. She was known for her depiction of writing ordinary 19th Century people from a modern perspective. She published four novels during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). They are still read and loved by many to this day. Each of them has been adapted into either a tv series or a film which adds another dynamic layer onto her work. She received only one known offer of marriage, from Harris Bigg Wither, the brother of her friends Elizabeth, Catherine and Alethea, who was heir to a considerable estate. At first, Jane accepted this attractive offer but soon changed her mind because she knew she would not be happy if she married a man she did not love.
However, she did love Bath Buns. They were rich, large cakes, similar to French brioche bread, they were usually served warm and soaked in butter. It is documented that she wrote to her sister in June 1808: "You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me".
Despite writing an abundance of romantic novels, Austen never married. And In 1816, aged 41, Jane became ill with Addison's disease. Despite her failing health, Jane started work on a new novel, The Brothers, which would later be published after her death as Sanditon.
Publisher
Due to the lack of legal rights for an unmarried woman, Austen had to publish many of her books anonymously. Women who were full-time writers were thought to hinder their femininity. However, she was able to publish through her brother Henry. Publisher Thomas Egerton agreed to print Sense and Sensibility "on commission". This was a tremendous financial risk to Austen as she would only profit of the book paid for itself through sales.
The only other option Austen had available to her was to sell the copyrights to the publishing house. However, she couldn't be sure that they would publish the book after she had sold away her rights to the book. This is what happened to Northanger Abbey, which led her to buy back her rights from Crosby & Son and left a sour taste in her mouth.
The commission was the right call because, Austen made £140 from Sense and Sensibility; which provided her with some financial and psychological independence.
Political Beliefs
Austen wrote in a time of female suppression. Women's lives were very confined; they could cook, clean, look after the children and fulfil the needs of her husband. That was it. Women were not considered in circles of political, economic or artistic circles. Their presence was not deemed appropriate or necessary; the men were doing fine without them. It meant that many women were forced into lives of submission by their fathers and then by their husbands; they led half-lives. However, that is not how we see the women that are written in her novels. It has been long thought that Austen was a feminist. Her ideas of love, the father and daughter relationship and marriage are very modern. Once again, we have a writer that was born out of her time. A writer that appeared to long for a world of gender equality. Well, I am sad to say that 200 years after her death, we are still waiting for that world. But it is getting better.
Audience Reception
Jane Austen is probably the most read literary figure in the English Language. Similar to many other female writers, she chose to publish anonymously. But her authorship is the worst kept secret. In the mid-19th century, many literary elites began to catch on, and her books rose in the ranks of society. They were added to school reading lists and recommended in the popular education movement. In 1923, R. W. Chapman (publisher and scholar) arranged a thoughtfully edited collection of her works, which some have professed is the first serious scholarly treatment given to any British novelist. Soon after this Austen was accepted into academia as a great English novelist. To this day, Austen is one of the most influential writers of the English Language. For example, as of the early 21st century, there is an Austen fandom industry of printed sequels and prequels as well as television and film adaptations based on her works.
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