I read the book mentioned fairly recently and it was excellent, I learnt so much about Austen and the era she lived in. For me, she was never a romance writer, but more a social commentator, I feel the various adaptations create an illusion unfortunately.
For Jane Austen, I feel the prospect of marriage felt like a prison, where she would lose herself and become trapped in perpetual child rearing, you only have to look at examples around her.
As for Edward Austen, he could have done more far quicker to help his blood relatives and maybe having free childcare nearby provided an incentive.
I also enjoyed reading Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby and next on my list is the biography by Claire Tomalin.
I get quite frustrated at the thought of Edward taking so long to help. The book mentioned that Jane and James did not visit his big house often, perhaps because they didn’t like being the “poor” relatives, and I believe it. It’s an unbelievable stroke of luck he had, I wonder if he sort of became haughty towards his blood relatives?
She knew what marriage meant but was probably not ready or interested... A woman's role was to give birth and take care of the house—nothing more. Okay, she might show up in different places, dance, eat, and chat, but I think she was too BRIGHT for that.
I’m a lot like her that way. I like the idea of romance but I also don’t want it to be cutting into the things I actually enjoy doing, if that makes sense? Lol
It makes sense :) Maybe you’ll find such a partner, who knows? The one who’ll give you the freedom you desire… I know I did (and I am grateful for that😀)
Maybe! I am a believer that it’s never too late, even if I’m not always too patient. Maybe I’ll meet him when I’m old. Maybe I’ll not meet anyone at all. Life is full of surprises!
I’m learning too and it’s so much fun! I’m drafting Friday’s post, but I think I’ll be writing a couple more for February on Wednesdays - there’s so much to say!
I recently read Jane Austen at Home too- as well as “The Real Jane Austen” by Paula Byrne back to back. From what I gather about Harris he had some temperament issues that might’ve been enough to deter her, but who knows in the end. What some biographers and scholars have alluded to is that Jane Austen might have had a fear/extreme dislike about childbirth- please check me if I’m wrong, but I remember somewhere reading that she often became extremely agitated upon hearing her nieces/sisters/female friends were pregnant. For so many women it meant death or serious complication, and while Jane Austen loved children, the thought of the ordeal of having one might’ve really turned her off to marriage.
That answer would make perfect sense to me - especially about childbirth. Many people today are still afraid of it; imagine all the way back then! This was a very thoughtful comment, and it’s given me a new book to add to my TBR. Thanks for your input! :)
Jane Austen at Home has been on my list for a while, I enjoyed the one she wrote about Agatha Christie. I'm teaching P&P right now to high school students. Enjoying this series!
Yes :) It’s a real challenge to fit all that info into just 2,000 - 3,000 words, isn’t it? But that’s part of the joy and writing on Substack I guess 😅
Yes! I’m usually a novelist and my novels aren’t short haha, it was a matter of learning to write something good within the limits - I feel like I’ve gotten better at it which is a wonderful thing!
Great article, I really enjoyed reading! I too love to speculate on the reasons why Jane Austen did not accept Harris' offer, other than his unfortunate surname lol. I believe it is probably mainly because she would not have had the same freedom to write. This would have been a huge sacrifice. Partly because as of her position as a married woman, she would would be expected to spend her time on organising soirees and the social calendar. In truth, she would also, like her poor sister in law potentially have spent much of her life pregnant. Speaking from experience it's hard to write novels with young children around! Imagine not having Jane Austen's novels, it would be a huge loss.
I believe it! As a writer I am so jealous of my reading and writing time. It’s partly why I’m still single myself, lol. I know that society has changed and there’s more of a balance but I simply can’t see myself as anything else, and I imagine that it would have been even worse for Jane—more daunting! Thank you for the comment :)
I read the book mentioned fairly recently and it was excellent, I learnt so much about Austen and the era she lived in. For me, she was never a romance writer, but more a social commentator, I feel the various adaptations create an illusion unfortunately.
For Jane Austen, I feel the prospect of marriage felt like a prison, where she would lose herself and become trapped in perpetual child rearing, you only have to look at examples around her.
As for Edward Austen, he could have done more far quicker to help his blood relatives and maybe having free childcare nearby provided an incentive.
I also enjoyed reading Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby and next on my list is the biography by Claire Tomalin.
I get quite frustrated at the thought of Edward taking so long to help. The book mentioned that Jane and James did not visit his big house often, perhaps because they didn’t like being the “poor” relatives, and I believe it. It’s an unbelievable stroke of luck he had, I wonder if he sort of became haughty towards his blood relatives?
It really is an excellent book!
Thanks for your comment! :)
She knew what marriage meant but was probably not ready or interested... A woman's role was to give birth and take care of the house—nothing more. Okay, she might show up in different places, dance, eat, and chat, but I think she was too BRIGHT for that.
I’m a lot like her that way. I like the idea of romance but I also don’t want it to be cutting into the things I actually enjoy doing, if that makes sense? Lol
It makes sense :) Maybe you’ll find such a partner, who knows? The one who’ll give you the freedom you desire… I know I did (and I am grateful for that😀)
Maybe! I am a believer that it’s never too late, even if I’m not always too patient. Maybe I’ll meet him when I’m old. Maybe I’ll not meet anyone at all. Life is full of surprises!
Yes its true, just be true to yourself ✌️💥 Que sera sera…
So interesting to read, I am learning so much more about Jane Austen! Thank you for sharing 😊💕
Thank you for reading 🤍🤍
I’m learning too and it’s so much fun! I’m drafting Friday’s post, but I think I’ll be writing a couple more for February on Wednesdays - there’s so much to say!
How exciting! I look forward to reading. 😊♡
I recently read Jane Austen at Home too- as well as “The Real Jane Austen” by Paula Byrne back to back. From what I gather about Harris he had some temperament issues that might’ve been enough to deter her, but who knows in the end. What some biographers and scholars have alluded to is that Jane Austen might have had a fear/extreme dislike about childbirth- please check me if I’m wrong, but I remember somewhere reading that she often became extremely agitated upon hearing her nieces/sisters/female friends were pregnant. For so many women it meant death or serious complication, and while Jane Austen loved children, the thought of the ordeal of having one might’ve really turned her off to marriage.
That answer would make perfect sense to me - especially about childbirth. Many people today are still afraid of it; imagine all the way back then! This was a very thoughtful comment, and it’s given me a new book to add to my TBR. Thanks for your input! :)
I enjoyed the explorative nature of your article.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting:)
Jane Austen at Home has been on my list for a while, I enjoyed the one she wrote about Agatha Christie. I'm teaching P&P right now to high school students. Enjoying this series!
I have the Agatha Christie one and want to read it soon! Does it have spoilers from in the books that I should be aware of?
I don’t THINK so, it was over a year that I read it though.
So interesting, Mariella. Thank you.
And great post, Mariella... I know it takes much time to research and write it all down :)
It really does! The article always looks so short by the time I’m done compared to all the writing, researching and editing 🤣🤣
Yes :) It’s a real challenge to fit all that info into just 2,000 - 3,000 words, isn’t it? But that’s part of the joy and writing on Substack I guess 😅
Yes! I’m usually a novelist and my novels aren’t short haha, it was a matter of learning to write something good within the limits - I feel like I’ve gotten better at it which is a wonderful thing!
Exactly! There… you said it! We come here to learn something new every day:) and it helps with our writing ✍️
Great article, I really enjoyed reading! I too love to speculate on the reasons why Jane Austen did not accept Harris' offer, other than his unfortunate surname lol. I believe it is probably mainly because she would not have had the same freedom to write. This would have been a huge sacrifice. Partly because as of her position as a married woman, she would would be expected to spend her time on organising soirees and the social calendar. In truth, she would also, like her poor sister in law potentially have spent much of her life pregnant. Speaking from experience it's hard to write novels with young children around! Imagine not having Jane Austen's novels, it would be a huge loss.
I believe it! As a writer I am so jealous of my reading and writing time. It’s partly why I’m still single myself, lol. I know that society has changed and there’s more of a balance but I simply can’t see myself as anything else, and I imagine that it would have been even worse for Jane—more daunting! Thank you for the comment :)
Such an interesting read, I'm so impressed by the level of detail and how interesting it all is. The photos add a wonderful layer. Thanks, Mariella!