From her more subtle villains to her famous wit, experts from the University of Worcester gave their insights into Jane Austen’s genius at a special event at The Hive.
Marking the 250th anniversary of the 19th century author’s birth later this month, the panel discussion examined ‘Why are we obsessed with Jane Austen?’. They explored what it is about Austen’s novels that makes them so well loved, looking at her characters, techniques, social commentary and how relatable her novels are today, and her place as one of our greatest writers.
Dr Sharon Young, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, Nicoleta Cinpoeş, Professor of Shakespeare Studies, and Dr Whitney Standlee, a former Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University, were joined by host Dr Lucy Arnold, Course Leader for English Literature.
Dr Young said that Austen’s popularity was partly down to some universal themes and our ability to see our own lives in her novels. She also highlighted Austen’s interest in the dynamics of families as much as the romance of the central characters.
“Like most good writers, her books are very easy to read and they are seemingly quite simple, but they are deceptively complex and I think the style is the thing that does that,” she said. “It’s that lightness of touch.”
Dr Standlee added: “The more I read the novels, the more I get out of them and how much they’re about women contemporary to her and how difficult they have it, even those from the more privileged classes. We get a lot of women in the novels that don’t have many options, other than marriage.”
The panel also explored some of Austen’s more villainous characters, including some less predictable or obvious ones. In Dr Young’s view, Mr Bennett in Pride and Prejudice could be seen as a villain for his attitude to his children.
Professor Cinpoeş added: “What I like very much is that she doesn’t discriminate by gender – women can be villains, men can be villains – different ages, different social classes… She has features of a villain in quite a few characters, so if the characters get pushed they can act that way and that’s quite a surprise. Some of them redeem themselves, others don’t and that’s what makes them alive for me rather than two dimensional characters.”