What makes Jane Austen so popular today?
I thought I'd start my blog off with a question a lot of people ask. What is it that makes Jane Austen so popular almost 200 years after her death?
Today Jane is one of England's most widely recognised authors. It is rare that you will find an adult who has not heard of Jane Austen (regardless of whether they have read her works or not). There are large Societies dedicated to her and her work in the UK, North America and also Australia, showing just how far her work has reached.
Looking back, Jane was not always as popular as she is today, but she is perhaps mistakenly thought of as widely unpopular in her own time. Whilst we know Jane as having six complete novels today, only four were published in her lifetime (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma). Her brother Henry saw to it that Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published after her death in 1817.
When Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811 (the first of her novels to be published) by Egerton, it sold around 500 copies. As was typical for women authors of the time, the novel was published anonymously as "by a lady". As all copies of Sense and Sensibility sold, Egerton went on to publish Pride and Prejudice in 1813, which required a second edition later that year. Mansfield Park was published in 1814 and sold out, giving her higher earnings than any of her other novels. However, the second edition printed in 1816 did not produce as many earnings.
Her novels caught the attention of the Prince Regent (later George IV), who had a copy of Jane's three published novels in each of his residences, his favourite being Pride and Prejudice. Although the novels were published anonymously at the time, the name of the author was known in some circles. Jane received a letter from the Prince Regent's librarian Rev James Stanier Clarke in 1815, who invited her to visit the library at the Prince's London residence, Carlton House. Jane accepted, and although she did not meet the Prince Regent himself, James Stanier Clarke wrote to Jane to express that “by permission of His Royal Highness,” she was “at liberty to dedicate any future novel to him.” Jane hated the Prince Regent but could not refuse the Royal request.
Emma did not sell remarkably well, and some have questioned whether the dedication impacted this. However, it did catch the attention and was reviewed favourably by the Scottish author Walter Scott who remarked "the composition of these works admits of being exalted and decorated by the higher exertions of genius". The review is rather long, but if you did want to read it in it's entirety, here is a link to a copy of it: https://onlyanovel.wordpress.com/austen-reviews/sir-walter-scotts-review-of-emma/.
By the 1820s, Jane's novels were out of print and her original memorial in Winchester Cathedral made no mention of her being an author. Jane's novels were purchased by Richard Bentley purchased her novels and he printed them as a collected edition in 1833. Her novels have never been out of print since.
It wasn't until James Edward Leigh, Jane's nephew, published a memoir of his aunt in 1869 that Jane became increasingly popular. The Victorians became fascinated with her quiet country life and her novels, which the memoir had generated. The novels were then reissued, and with the royalties from the memoir, James Edward Leigh purchased a new brass memorial, designed by James Wyatt, highlighting Jane's achievements as a writer.
In evidence of Jane's ever increasing popularity, by public subscription in 1898, a memorial window, by Charles Eager Kempe, was added above the memorial plaque.
Perhaps lesser known is that Jane's Austen novels were prescribed to and read by World War I soldiers in the trenches, and those who were injured or shell shocked. Jane's novels were an escape from the horrors of war and provided a source of comfort.
As the 20th Century progressed, Jane's works were increasingly studied by academics with varying receptions. However, it did spark a loyal fan base and the UK Jane Austen Society was founded in 1940 by Dorothy Darnell. Dorothy worked hard to raise funds through the Jane Austen Memorial Trust to purchase and preserve Chawton Cottage in 1947.
With the birth of Hollywood and TV, we were brought many adaptations of Jane's work. However, her popularity soared following the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Indeed this is exactly what sparked my obsession with the world of Jane Austen.
Jane's novels are often studied now in English Literature classes at schools and colleges. I myself first came across her work at college when we read Northanger Abbey. I didn't like it at all at the time, not quite grasping Jane's satirical style and language. However, returning to it later with under no pressure to study the work and a greater understanding of the language and style, I came to love it.
Today Jane is admired by many across the world, but just what is it that appeals to a 21st Century reader?
Jane is often commended (and sometimes criticised) on her ability to take the trivial and mundane, and turn it into funny, wise and accurate accounts. She writes with clever dialogue and provides us with comic and also rebellious characters.
Many Janeites take a great interest in Jane's life itself as she famously wrote about what she knew about. She never strayed into territories unknown to her, which is why we get such faithful accounts. Whilst her world's were entirely fictional, events, professions, and character elements were taken from those around her. Jane lived an ordinary life and that makes it easy for readers to relate to her.
For some, her works provide an almost nostalgic account of the period of history and a transport to the past. Although Jane ignores significant history of her time, for example, the Napoleonic Wars, her works highlight the chivalry and dignity of the age.
Even though social customs have altered since Jane's lifetime, timeless themes in her work still resonate with modern readers, for example love, money, power and status. Jane focuses more on descriptions of her characters than the locations, which makes it easy to relate to story arcs.
I have met men who do admire Jane's work, but I have found that it is generally females who are fans. All of Jane's female characters are smart accomplished women, which resonates with empowered females of the modern age. Elizabeth Bennett is often remarked as a character which many modern females can relate to with her independence, her wit and occasional tom-boyishness.
Her male protagonists are far from perfect. To name a few: Mr Darcy has his pride, Mr Tilney teases Catherine, and Mr Knightley scolds Emma. However, the fact that they are not perfect makes them all the more human and believable.
Due to the romantic nature of Jane's novels, they are often packaged in more chick lit friendly covers, opening her up to a new audience who may have avoided the classic literature section previously.
Jane's works have also spawned a growing number of fan fiction, sequels and adaptations. Personally, whilst they say imitation is the highest form of flattery, I'm not a fan of these as I find no one can truly replicate her style, but many are increasingly popular. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, for example, is currently being made into a film (release 2016).
Of course every one is different and will have reasons specific to themselves as to why they love (or hate!) Jane's work, but her popularity does not seem to show any signs of slowing down...
