What Jane Austen Taught Me

Are you an avid Jane Austen fan?  Please tell me you have read at least one of her delightful classics!  They simply must not be missed.  I’ll tell you why, but first let me start with my own introduction to Jane.   

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Discovering Jane   

After graduating college, I lived at home for a year and commuted to Boston on the train for my first official career job.  I decided to fill that long train time with reading books.  (This was before the days when everyone attended to their gadgets on commutes.)  Providentially I was drawn to pick up classics, versus the lite reading of the day.  Jane Austen’s treasures crossed my path, and I haven’t been the same since.  I’m convinced that reading Ms. Austen’s 6 classics as a young woman showed me what it means to be authentically feminine.  There wasn’t a more fitting time to discover these books than when I was learning to be a young woman out in the world.  

Timeless Familiarity 

The first thing that struck me about these classic books was the dialogue.  Who speaks to one another like that these days?  Oh, the eloquent and intelligent conversations I beheld – so full of depth, grace, and wit.  I wanted to jump back in time and eavesdrop on each word that was spoken.  And yet there was a familiarity about the circumstances the characters found themselves in.  One can easily imagine feeling embarrassed, chagrined, surprised, petty, disappointed, and yet delighted and hopeful along with the characters.  I saw my weaknesses and my aspirations drawn into many of the leading ladies and could compare their situations to my more modernized ones. 

What Jane Taught Me

Jane taught me how to be a woman through her characters.  She taught me what was important and what wasn’t, as well as illuminating the truth in things. No small feat.

• When I was scornful or gossipy, Emma’s humble awakening put me in my place.
• When I was embarrassed of an outspoken, attention-seeking relation, Elizabeth and especially Jane showed me how to bear charitably. 
• If I considered a rash or impulsive act, Elinor rationally walked me through the choice.
• Anne Elliot is my favorite.  She taught me patience and endurance when all hope seems lost.

If I could pick one character with whom I related the most, it would have to be Anne Elliot from Persuasion.  I can be ‘persuaded’ easily, as she was in her first bloom.  And although she is much kinder and more virtuous than I am, I have always identified with her patience.  I needed more than a normal share of patience when waiting to find the man I would marry.  I didn’t meet him until I was 34.  But in retrospect, it took those years of waiting to learn what a true man is.  And that leads me to the leading men in Jane’s books…   

Jane’s Heroes

The knights in shining armor in Ms. Austen’s books are just as flawed and human as her ladies.  And yet they learn and grow along with the leading dames, as well as personify the most noble characteristics in their shining moments.  The heroes in Jane’s classics lead, fight, withstand, tolerate, teach, prod and console.  Most importantly, they passionately love through any trial and obstacle.   When I finally met my husband-to-be, I recognized him.  After years of disappointment in meeting various shallow, weak, careless, narrow-minded, and boring men he was an anomaly.  Lest you think I’m being too hard on those earlier fellows, I can just as easily say the same of my own immaturities.  I wasn’t ready to be that leading lady until I grew up a lot.  When that time came, the good Lord put my husband right in front of me.  Here was the hero in my classic tale.

Jane’s Books

Therefore, if you’ve never picked up a Jane Austen book, I urge you to take this time now.  You won’t regret it.  I can especially recommend it to young men and women, learning how to ‘grow up’.  Jane’s characters did a lot of that, while nobly pursuing lofty goals.  I’m looking forward to discussing the books with my children some day and to witness their own revelations.

Behold Jane’s fabulous classics:

Pride and Prejudice (this version includes the most delightful illustrations and recipes):

Sense and Sensibility

Persuasion:

Emma:

Mansfield Park:

Northanger Abbey:

I have a wall hanging in my room with one of my favorite quotes from Persuasion.  It is from Captain Wentworth’s letter declaring his long-standing love for Anne!

I hope you also enjoy and gain inspiration from Ms. Austen’s classic books.

Old fashioned Regency images in this post are from the Graphics Fairy.