Jane Austen is one of the most influential english writers of all time. Historians, authors, students, readers, and many more, find particular interest in her works, making her books’ literary value everlasting.
Austen’s works are a significant source of the 18th and early 19th-century historical context. Literature is the only way we can find out the mundane intricacies of life at the time, and Jane Austen certainly had a lot to say.
She introduced a new writing style for the literary novel, thus justifying the critics’ obsession with her works. Intellectuals used her quotes while writing a dictionary, and her critique of social issues, such as education, marriage, and slavery, have inspired individuals since the 18th-century middle and upper classes till Gen Zs.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the novels:
Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813, two years after the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Did you know that till the last minute, the book was titled First Impressions?
On the top of Goodreads’ list of must-read classic novels, Pride and Prejudice explores an archetypal love story with charming characters. There is deep character development in both the female and male leads, love that overcomes all kinds of challenges, and a happy ending.
The love-conquers-all trope is an all-time favorite and also reminds the readers that affection is a great part of a marriage.
The characters are relatable as they are not perfect—but perfectly human—representing the classic version of true love.
So, why is this novel still popular today? Simply because the readers are mesmerized by the delightful characters. Even Jane Austen herself had declared that Elizabeth Bennet was her favorite. She may have been biased but her instincts were correct all the same.
The first Jane Austen novel was published in 1811 and follows the story of two sisters; Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The book started over as a novel-in-letter, around 1795, which had the title; Elinor and Marianne. After Jane Austen gave the book its final narrative form and changed the title, it got published anonymously—by a Lady. The success was immediate and glorious.
Some say that Elinor represents sense, meaning she is wise and has good judgment, while Marianne is the sensible one. However, the two sisters learn from each other and manage to reconsider their opposite approach to life. That was the moral of the story anyway; the balance between sense and sensibility.
The story wins the reader over with its romantic and kinda melancholic vibe and explores themes like family bonds, sisterhood, love, social dictations, and wealth. Traveling from Sussex to South West England and London, most probably around 1792-1797, Elinor and Marianne’s beliefs are challenged but at the end of the road, the greatest of prizes awaits them—love.
Published in 1815, Emma belongs to the comedy of manners literary genre as it depicts Regency’s high society from a realistic and rather satirical perspective. It takes place in the imaginary village of Highbury and the surrounding estates of Hartfield, Randalls, and Donwell Abbey.
Emma Woodhouse is “handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”
In other words, she is a young girl so bored with her life, that likes playing matchmaker for her wealthy friends. Eventually, she will fall into her own trap as her pride eventually drives her even further away from her need to be loved. Of course, she swears with her life that she will never marry… Well, don’t hold your breath, dear Emma.
Her misplaced confidence in her skills in matchmaking will create misunderstandings as most love cases she steps into go south. Finally, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle and starts questioning everything in life. It is a rather funny and brilliant work!
A unique work, known for its darker atmosphere and complexity. The heroine, Fanny Price, is not as confident as Elizabeth Bennet, or Emma but rather a shy, poor relative who will eventually learn how to stand up for herself. When she goes to live with her aunt, Lady Bertram, at Manfield Park, she is treated harshly and unkindly. Only one of her cousins seems to have a different approach, and she falls in love with him—obviously.
As Jane Austen had claimed, the novel is not that fun compared to her earlier novels. Just as important, though, we would dare say. Again there is a woman who struggles with her position on the social ladder while matters like love and morality challenge her efforts
Its most charming symbol being Manfield Park itself, the novel exposes social issues such as slavery, in an estate that reflects the complex personalities of its very own inhabitants. Manfield Park is a terrifying, strange place, a haven, a prison, and a place where love flourishes.
Published after Jane Austen’s death, Northanger Abbey is a mockery of Gothic novels. Being one of her first novels, it follows the period’s trend of creating the known “gothic parody”. Practically, Austen developed a heroine with a need to chase after the supernatural and Austen took her sweet time to make fun of her protagonist—in a witty and sarcastic way. That’s what makes this novel special anyway.
Catherine Morland is a 17-year-old girl whose wild imagination and love of gothic literature guide her through life. As she comes of age, Catherine travels to Bath to partake in the winter season of balls and everything those royal Engish people did in the Regency era. There she will explore castles, mysterious passageways, strange notes, and locked rooms.
Of course, she won’t have this adventure alone as she will have not one but two love interests surrounding her. One of them is evil though.
If you expect to have a thrilling experience reading this novel, we will likely disappoint you. There is nothing abnormal about this story, just Austen’s delightful irony as she puts her protagonist in training to be a heroine.
Jane Austen’s last completed work was published in 1817, even though on the title page the year of publication is 1818. Unfortunately, there is not any fancy analysis behind the title, as Jane Austen was already gone, when her brother gave the title to her last novel.
A rather charmingly romantic story about a pair who broke up and parted ways for nearly a decade. However, when they meet again, they will get a second chance to fulfill their love.
Anne Elliot is known to be the most mature of all Jane Austen’s characters. She may be the most reasonable of all, indeed, as she ended her engagement with Frederick Wentworth because of his lack of wealth and status. So, she sacrifices her chance at happiness as she lets her family convince her that he is not worthy of her. Her maturity surely costs her a lot!
However, Jane Austen believes in true love and happy endings so Frederick will be back a captain; rich and famous. What do you have to say now, Anne?
A fun and witty story. The scandalous Lady Susan is a helpless flirt and a widow. She has an affair with a married man and seduces her naive brother-in-law. A rather radical and unusual character we would say the least!
A short novel, which Austen wrote as a youth. The story follows the 16-year-old Cassandra who decides to abandon her boring life and seek adventure in the streets of London.
An unfinished romantic novel, that Jane Austen began writing around 1817. It was eventually published in 1925 with the title Fragment of a Novel. The heroine, Charlotte Heywood travels to the seaside and experiences the freshness of her surroundings.
Jane Austen probably stopped writing this novel back in 1805 after her father’s death. The story follows the youngest daughter of the Watson family, who goes through the typical “Austenian-heroine” stuff. There are many versions published that continue the story where Jane Austen dropped it, such as Jane’s niece, Catherine Hubback’s, adaptation into a three-volume novel titled The Younger Sister, in 1950.
The only manuscript of a full-length play we have today under Jane Austen’s name. It was published in 1980 as an attempt to dramatize Samuel Richardson's novel, The History of Sir Charles Grandison.
There are various film adaptations of Jane Austen's literary works but the most popular of them seem to be the ones based on Pride and Prejudice. There are 17 movies and TV adaptations—for god’s sake.
Going back to books, when we say spin-off we are referring to a work that was inspired by an original story and explores a different one, most probably from a character already introduced in the original. Some interesting spin-offs of Pride and Prejudice are:
First things first, here are a few facts about the author.
Jane Austen was born in 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire. She was very close to her older sister, Cassandra—thus the strong sisterly bonds in her novels. She enjoyed dancing, a good conversation, and readings of her own liking. Her father was very encouraging during her first attempts at writing, and it’s also worth mentioning that he and Jane’s brothers Henry and James helped with her education.
She had a close friend, Tom Lefroy, with whom she spent a lot of time together, enjoying each other’s company but it was not meant to be. Jane was devastated when the proposal never came as Tom was taken away by his family. Guess why? They were not good prospects for this marriage.
It is clear that many themes she analyzes in her novels are real-life experiences that came straight from the source—her.
Her novels cleverly question the sentimental literary works of the 18th century and the realism of the 19th century.
Jane Austen’s stories are estimated to take place either during the French Revolution (1787-1799) or the Neoptolemic Wars (1799-1815). More or less around the Regency era.
Let’s have a brief look at the social dynamics and restrictions of that period. For example, the matters of marriage and fortune are rather important, and in the middle of them are the non-existent women’s rights.
And to quote Austen, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Women could not inherit their father’s fortune, thus they were restricted by the social norms to be “owned” by a man—firstly by their father, then by their husband. Now, if the fact of birth joins the equation, then the matters become more difficult. A woman of low birth had little chance of marrying someone with good fortune. As you can tell, their primary concern back in the Regency era was money and status.
“Not all of us can afford to be romantic,” Charlotte Richards told Lizzie in Pride & Prejudice.
When it comes to class distinction, again wealth and birth rights played the greatest role. The Royals were at the top of the pyramid whereas the working class was at the bottom. In the middle, various other classes were working their way to the top, mostly through marriage. One’s rank—or lack of it—determines their social status.
Also, the reputation of a woman of status was very fragile, and the refined qualities society expected them to have were outrageous;
“A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved,” as Mr. Darcy pointed out.
Surely, we can spot Austen’s irony in this quote but it is the sad truth. We can conclude that titles and social status come first and then wealth follows. However, it seems rather like a burden than anything else. At least poor people of low birth could find love without society’s intervention.
Read our post on Regency Romance and its juicy details for more insights.
The easiest book to start exploring the Austen universe is Pride and Prejudice, in terms of the themes developed and the lightness of the plot. It’s a delightful love story with a happy ending.
For Jane Austen's works, in particular, there is no significant difference in which order someone chooses to follow. People tend to read a series following the order of the books’ publication dates. However, since they are stand-alone novels, it’s up to the reader’s preference, really.
Interested in getting to know the characters more deeply? Read our post Pride and Prejudice Characters: A Definitive List and Analysis.
Nikki Sheryee insists that she’s “up to no good” whenever she’s in the company of books. Armed with a degree in English Language and Literature, she wields the power of words like a mischievous wizard. Her lifelong dream? To be the editor who sprinkles magic dust on manuscripts! To Nikki, a book is more alive than a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Readers nurture it, cuddle it, scold it, and occasionally challenge it to a duel! But in the end, a book does its own thing, pulling at our heartstrings and revealing our inner human-ness. Nikki’s favorite pastime? Well, it’s none other than the noble art of daydreaming! And she wears her daydreamer’s badge with pride, sharing this delightful delusion with the crème de la crème of her friends.
