Jane Austen is one of the most beloved (and widely read) authors of English literature of many generations. Having written her novels in a different century, how is it that she has manages to captivate readers, decade after decade? The fact of the matter is that Jane Austen‘s writing is timeless.
My first encounter with Jane Austen was through Pride and Prejudice. Though the movie version of the novel is considered a “chick flick,” and some might venture to call it “chick lit,” the novel deals heavily with important social matters such as manners, morality, education, and class.
Next, I read Emma. I’ll admit, the reason I had received the novel (and consequently read it) from a friend was because the title and my middle name are one in the same. Think that’s a silly reason to buy the book? My mother bought me the movie for the same reason! Luckily, Emma is a book worth having (though I can’t speak for the movie). Emma is a comedy of manners; the story revolves around a series of romances that Emma Woodhouse, who overestimates her own matchmaking skills, has encouraged. The movie Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz, a modern-day version of Emma.
Last but not least is Sense and Sensibility. This novel happens to be the favorite Jane Austen book among my friends. Most agree that this novel has the most active plot, and is thus a more enjoyable read. It is the story of two sisters who must find a balance between sense (logic) and sensibility (emotion), through tribulations in love and life in general. This is a topic that is certainly relevant today and will without a doubt still be relevant in future years.
When reading Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, or any of Jane Austen’s other pieces of literature, it is easy to recognize Jane Austen’s powerful realism. She captured and exposed typical social interactions in a manner that was remarkable simply because it was true to life. Jane Austen will remain as a beloved and historically important author for generations to come.
