Jane Austen Use Of Music Essay

657 Words3 Pages

How did the music of Jane Austen’s life affect her writing? The music from the Regency Era(Lawson 1) had a major role in Jane Austen’s life, ranging from her preference in ball music to themes in her books. Music from the late 1790’s to the early 1800’s had a range of genres for different occasions that were widely played by the women of the house. Still, today Regency music continues with the era, finding and expanding upon the orchestral classics. The Regency Era had room for exploration to which orchestral music fulfilled, however still finding room for singing and musical instruments. The era had most of its musical masterpieces come in the form of an orchestra piece. Singing still took a major role in the jobs, filling the room with the …show more content…

She shows her admiration for the genre when she has Ms. Mary Bennet play Rest Ye Merry gentlemen on the piano. Though surrounded by “classical” music, folk music prevailed in the life of Jane. The folk music present in Pride and Prejudice provides an inspiring tone that clashes with the terrible playing of Ms. Mary Bennet’s. Ironically, Ms. Austen , with her love for music, didn’t equip the protagonist of her novel Pride and Prejudice with any musical talent or artistic skills. In Ms. Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice, we see the use of music and the arts in many of the characters, both women and men. A ball is given by the wealthy Mr. Charles Bingly on his arrival in Netherfield Park would have had all the trappings of the aristocratic life, including the finest and talented musicians of the area. Many a courtship began with a dance card and a Viennese waltz. Women of that time period were very restricted in their ability to meet and engage with prospective suitors. One of the appropriate methods to get to know a gentleman would be to invite him to tea where they would enjoy tea and scones and be entertained by a short musical performance or a poetry reading. Such was the life of the Bennet family portrayed by Jane Austen with a common thread of the music and arts of the Regency