Jane Austen, by Hadiya Waseem
“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.”― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
Oh, what power must a woman possess to say something as daring and audacious as the words uttered by Jane Austen in the early 1780’s? The period between 18th and 19th century has given birth to exemplary, strong and badass women and Jane Austen, undoubtedly, was one of the many.
Born during the harsh winters of 1775 in Hampshire, Austen was blessed upon a wealthy family of wool merchants. Her birth was soon to change the course of literature as she would rise to become the greatest and widely read novelist of the 18th century and the periods that followed. Pursuing an open and ingenious background, Austen spent most of her leisure time reading novels and dancing, both of which she possessed a great prowess in. Her artistry as a classic writer was evidently reflected in the pages inked with poems, prose and comedy parodies during her early life, which were later on compiled into a notebook now named as Juvenilia. As a source of amusement, Austen would often read her rough and ready work to her family. Unbeknownst to her, her work would, one day, be relished by thousands.
Austen’s first full-length novel, Sense and Sensibility, was published in 1811 followed by her second novel in 1813, Pride and Prejudice. Gaining popularity in the world of romance, both novels attracted incredibly positive reviews from the critics. To grab the minds and eyes of thousands through a moralistic plot, strong characters and enthralling storyline is an art Austen has mastered through her strong and fervent imagination. Continuing her way to success, her other published works deserving of recognition include Mansfield Park and Emma, published in 1814 and 1816 respectively. She also wrote two additional novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. In 1816, Austen became severely ill with what was later revealed to be Addison’s disease. Despite the sickness, she relentlessly persisted her efforts to continue writing. Austen was in the middle of her novel Sanditon when her disease took over her life and she died in 1817, at the age of 42 in Hampshire.
Being in the eye of public, Austen’s voice for women empowerment has been echoed at many platforms. Her recognition as a feminist writer is rooted in her choice of strong-willed and sensible female protagonists. A well-written female heroine was a concept few and far between in literary world of the 18th and 19th century, but the prospect of being the odd one out never scared Austen. Before starting her novel Emma, she wrote "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." Her books established women as equally smart, determined and tenacious as the men of that time. Evident from her writing style, she coveted to seed the concept of women dominancy in the minds of her readers. She enriched female minds with the notion of powerful women and swayed them towards an independent future. Her female characters were consequently portrayed as rebellious for striving for independency, whether romantically or financially. Written from a moral female’s perspective, her books became the talk of feminist critics on issues as significant as patriarchal exploitation and unreal societal expectations of women. Through many of her words, she has highlighted the unmet needs of women and the responsibility bestowed upon them in an early age. Austen emerged as a badass woman set out to destroy the generalization of women being irrational and weak through her powerful narrative and exemplary work; as she writes in her book Persuasion, “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”
Like many female writers silenced under the rule of men, Austen struggled in getting her work published. Her fate was met by challenges as she faced constant rejections by publishers from the period of 1797 after completion of her first novel to late 1811. She made vigorous attempts to approach publishers using pseudonyms, one of which was “M.A.D.” Despite the endeavors, she pursued the power of her voice and words until she was celebrated in the spotlight she deserved. To this day, Austen’s work stands impactful among the readers. The list of "100 Most Famous Britons of All Time" mentions her at Number 70, voted by the British public.
Even years after her death, her work continues to inspire and shape the minds of readers as feminists. I believe somewhere out there is a young girl strolling down the aisle at a library, gleams of hope in her eyes, dreaming of herself as the badass female character seated inside her mind whispering “I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.” (Jane Austen, Emma)
Sources
http://hist259.web.unc.edu/austen/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense_and_Sensibility
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/austen_jane.shtml