Jane's Pocket Change: Belated Birthday Wishes
To Jane Austen, whose 240th birthday fell on December 16, 2015. I discovered Austen around the age of 14. For me, she remains a brilliant writer; depicting the world she knew so well and capturing what is universal about human nature.
To Jane Austen, whose 240th birthday fell on December 16, 2015. I discovered Austen around the age of 14. For me, she remains a brilliant writer; depicting the world she knew so well and capturing what is universal about human nature.
Her observations seem timeless and often transcend cultures—or at the very least link early 19th century British mores to those of other eras and other nations. [For example, her ironic brilliance is matched and perhaps even imitated by Ishiguru in Remains of the Day.]
Austen only wrote six complete novels alone, and co-authored a seventh, Sanditon. She appears to have led a sheltered life, died at the age of 41, never married and never left England. Why is she so celebrated an author?
I have a hard time determining my favorite Austen. Usually it is a tie between Emma (published 200 years ago in 1815) and Pride and Prejudice (published in 1813). The exquisite screen adaptations of Austen’s novels have prompted me to return to the books, and I’m often amazed all over again as her work seems so contemporary. Who can forget the scene in the rain between Darcy and Elizabeth in the 2005 Keira Knightley / Matthew Macfadyen version? The tension and universal conundrum is revealed and experienced while reading the original prose. The same theme of pride—blind pride—trips up Emma time and time again in her novel, especially in connection with her misplaced efforts to help her friend of lower status, Harriet Smith. It is excruciating for us to admit when we are wrong.
Jane Austen’s exquisite observations of human nature are said to have come from her place in life—taking care of her family and writing most of her novels seated at a small lap desk to one side of the busy living area. Here she employed her powerful observation skills to see fundamental issues and conflicts, to hear of the current events of the day and to create her brilliant depictions of country life.
Many Happy Returns, Miss Austen; sorry it’s a bit late.
P.S. my thanks to Anjali Tyagi and her phenomenal group of students in this mod's “Pride and Prejudice” class for tea, sandwiches, the best Victoria sponge cake ever, and lovely conversation as we watched the fabulous BBC serialization of the novel recently.
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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
Her observations seem timeless and often transcend cultures—or at the very least link early 19th century British mores to those of other eras and other nations. [For example, her ironic brilliance is matched and perhaps even imitated by Ishiguru in Remains of the Day.]
Austen only wrote six complete novels alone, and co-authored a seventh, Sanditon. She appears to have led a sheltered life, died at the age of 41, never married and never left England. Why is she so celebrated an author?
I have a hard time determining my favorite Austen. Usually it is a tie between Emma (published 200 years ago in 1815) and Pride and Prejudice (published in 1813). The exquisite screen adaptations of Austen’s novels have prompted me to return to the books, and I’m often amazed all over again as her work seems so contemporary. Who can forget the scene in the rain between Darcy and Elizabeth in the 2005 Keira Knightley / Matthew Macfadyen version? The tension and universal conundrum is revealed and experienced while reading the original prose. The same theme of pride—blind pride—trips up Emma time and time again in her novel, especially in connection with her misplaced efforts to help her friend of lower status, Harriet Smith. It is excruciating for us to admit when we are wrong.
Jane Austen’s exquisite observations of human nature are said to have come from her place in life—taking care of her family and writing most of her novels seated at a small lap desk to one side of the busy living area. Here she employed her powerful observation skills to see fundamental issues and conflicts, to hear of the current events of the day and to create her brilliant depictions of country life.
Many Happy Returns, Miss Austen; sorry it’s a bit late.
P.S. my thanks to Anjali Tyagi and her phenomenal group of students in this mod's “Pride and Prejudice” class for tea, sandwiches, the best Victoria sponge cake ever, and lovely conversation as we watched the fabulous BBC serialization of the novel recently.
____________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.