Jane Austen Research Paper

Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 into the family of a lower landed gentry. Her father was Reverend George Austen and at that time served at Steventon, Hampshire, where was Jane born as a seventh child of her mother Cassandra Austen. She was the second daughter and the two sisters were surrounded by six brothers. Her older sister Cassandra was Jane’s dearest friend and accompanied Jane through her life. Cassandra remained unmarried as well as Jane.

‘The immediate Austen family was warm and affectionate. George Austen was fond of his wife and children.’ George Austen was a scholar and encouraged the children in reading and learning.

The first year of her life Jane spent in the family of Elizabeth Littlewood, who nursed her. In 1783

George Austen encouraged the children in learning, reading and also writing. The passionate discussions about politics and society were led in the household. Another source of an entertainment for the family was acting.

First known time of Jane’s writing is about the year 1787. Till 1793 she wrote many poems, short stories and plays mainly for the entertainment of her family. These writings were later published in three volumes. Already at that time, Jane was concerned with the problems of women in the society. She wrote short novel Lady Susan about an intelligent and witty woman, whose acts led to her

The first one, called Elinor and Marianne, was written and read for the amusement of the family. This novel was published much later in 1811 as Sense and Sensibility. Then she began to pen First Impression, later known as Pride and Prejudice. All the work was read to the family since Jane was working on adjustments and revisions.

George Austen was a supporter of Jane’s work and tried to get her works published. He wrote to a London publisher Thomas Cadell, however, his attempt came in vain. Jane embarked on writing another novel called Susan, which was also later renamed for Northanger Abbey.

In 1800 George Austen decided to retire and move the entire family. At the age of twenty-seven Jane had to leave Steventon, the only home she had known, and the family moved to the town of Bath.

In 1802 Jane received a proposal from Harris Bigg-Wither. As Bigg-Wither was a young heir of Hampshire family he was considered a desirable bachelor. Perhaps Jane felt responsibility and opportunity of ensuring the future of hers and her family and probably for this reasons Jane accepted the proposal. Yet, the next day she changed her mind and cancelled the engagement. Jane was not in love and she would not marry for financial reasons. It can be also seen in her novels, in which the heroines do not marry for money, but for