JANE AUSTEN
An English author widely read in the nineteen-hundreds, was Jane Austen. Although Austen’s works were widely read and popular in her lifetime, she published her works anonymously. All of her books are mainly about bright, young heroines in courtship and finally marriage, even though Austen herself never married. Her best-known books include Pride and Prejudice. Virginia Woolf, a renown critic in Austen’s time called Austen "the most perfect artist among women." Austen’s position as part of the upper class of the early nineteenth century British society gave her not only a subject for her novels but also the time needed for writing.
Jane Austen was born in Stevenson, Hampshire, as the second daughter and seventh child in a family of eight. As a young woman Jane enjoyed dancing and she attended balls in many of the great houses of the neighborhood. She loved the country, and enjoyed long country walks. As a result, when she wrote, many of her works are set in the English countryside. Life was going great, therefore it came as a shock when Mr. Austen decided to retire and move with his wife and two daughters to Bath. Bath is where two of Austen’s books are set. The next four years were difficult ones for Jane. She disliked the busy town and missed her Steventon life. After her father's death in 1805, his widow and daughters also suffered financial difficulties and were forced to rely on the charity of the Austen sons. Most of Jane’s novel characters are upper middle class families, just like her life. Jane’s father made an income by farming and tutoring; also Jane’s father was a rector, (every one of her books feature at least one clergyman or minister) that gave the family another prominence. Because she was nearly in the upper class, she was able to enjoy the balls thrown by the wealthy aristocracy (an activity which appears frequently in her novels). The activities in Jane Austen’s life influenced her writing. Her family was closely knit. They talked openly about everything concerning everyday life. Jane was greatly supported and encouraged by her family to write. They were her first audiences and Jane’s only sister Cassandra was her only best friend and confidant. In her life time Jane went to many social gatherings. She visited the governor’s house, and also many of the wealthy’s homes. In those social gatherings, Jane was pursued by many suitors. Jane did fall in love once and became engaged, but after her fiancé died, she only got engaged once more; but she broke the engagement a day after becoming engaged. Family life, social gatherings, courtship, and marriage are the four main aspects in all of the Jane Austen books. Considering the life of leisure Jane Austen had, she had much time to write. Austen did not have to work for a living and she had servants caring for the household chores and her every need. The only way Jane could spend her time-other then attending the weekly ball, or courting a suitor- was by writing. She found enjoyment in that activity. Jane Austin had a great environment to set the background of her books. She was able to see nearly all aspects of life; therefore her works have remained a true classic. When one reads her novels, one can see how distinct the social class lines were drawn. How the aristocracy flaunted its wealth, while the middle and lower classes struggled to make a daily living. 1
Jane Austen Outline

Thesis: Jane Austen’s position as part is the upper class of early nineteenth century British society gave her not only a subject for her novels, but also the time needed for writing.

I. Austen’s position in society gave her a source for writing. A. Her stories are set in places she knew. 1. Many of her novels are set in the English countryside, the area she grew up. 2. Two of her novels are set in Bath, the city she lived in after her father’s retirement. B. Her characters are based upon people that she knew. 1. Most of her characters are from the upper middle class families. 2. At least one clergyman or minister appears in each of her novels. 3. Some of her characters are of the wealthy aristocracy. C. Her novels are about activities that she observed or participated in. A. She writes about family life. B. She writes about social gathering. C. She writes about courtship and marriage. II. Austen’s position in society gave her the time for her writing. A. She was not required to work for a living. B. She had servants to care for the everyday household chores. C. She was free to spend her time writing.

iii