This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen (1775-1817), one of England's most celebrated authors.  Her romance books show her sharp observations and sometimes biting wit on the social divides and mores of her day. The stories she told are still relatable today, hence the continued popularity of her work. There have been many a movie made from her novels.

 Not a reader? You can listen to the free podcasts such as this one, narrated by Julie Andrews, of her best known work, Pride and Prejudice. There are other recordings which you can listen to wherever you get your podcasts. 

Designers are very much in tune with Austen fans. There are all kinds of jewelry, accessories and apparel designs. Here is a lovely collection. Shown above are handmade wood ornaments of several literary ladies including Jane Austen. The talented creator is DesignBCC.

Pride and Prejudice is about the classic enemies to friends romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. I also love how Jane Austen portrayed the rather dizzy Mrs Bennet who had 5 daughters to marry off and who tried the patience of her quiet husband. The sweet Lizzy Bennet heart earrings are from ClassicallyRomantic.


Lines from another of Austen's books, Persuasion, is featured in this wordy cuff from JezebelCharms. 


These Jane Austen book cover pendant necklaces can be customized with initials. The necklaces are available from CHAiNGEthesubject. 




This Pemberley shirt celebrates the fictional country estate owned by Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. It is available from MorallyGrayandCo. 


This stunning purse features the spines of Jane Austen's books. The designer is VictorianandSteampnk. 




Until fairly recently, marriage was an economic necessity for women. There were few jobs for them. Moreover,  if you were of a certain genteel class, both men and women could not be seen to actually earn their living so they had to marry wealth.

Jane Austen came from a large brood of 8 children of a rector who despite holding down other jobs, struggled to provide for his family.  Both Jane and her only sister, Cassandra thus did not have dowries which meant their marriage prospects were slim.  

Jane did fall in love with an Irish law student, Tom LeFoy when they were around 20. But his family discouraged the match as Jane did not come from a wealthy family. One of her novels hint at her own feelings :

"We women do not forget you, so soon as you forget us ... this is our fate, rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home – quiet, confined. and our feelings prey upon us ... You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions. (Anne Elliot, in Persuasion)" 

She did receive one proposal from a family friend later on. She initially accepted but gently turned it down the next morning because she did not love him. 

Her novels did bring her a much welcome income as Jane, her sister and mother were very dependent on her brothers for support after the father passed away, leaving them penniless.

This year is the 250th anniversary of her birth. Watch this year's celebrations on both sides of the pond. 


I also enjoyed this visit to her home with British historians Dan Snow and Lucy Worsley (two of my favorites).  I have to agree with Dan Snow about Emma - the heroine one loves to consider as utterly clueless! The video explores what her life was like. She tragically passed away at just 41 of an unknown illness.

 

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM