What is the mystery, the secret of the success of the novels by Jane Austen, who created such magnificent works, “Like Pride and Prejudice”, “Feeling and Sensitivity”, “Emma”, “Mansfield Park”, “Reason of Reason” and many others? Why have they relentlessly attract new fans for over two centuries?
Unknown Jane
Jane Austen is an English writer born in the distant 1775. At the time of her life in England, dramatic changes were taking place in society, in the lifestyle of many people. Departure from prim habits on the one hand and the desire to leave the noble traditions on the other were intertwined in the characters and destinies of people in a miraculous way. All these absurdities in man became the basis of the author’s novels. “Feeling and Sensitivity” is a rather early work. Jane wrote it only in 20 years, but the world saw the work only in 1811. Youth did not become an obstacle for Jane for a systematic, and most importantly, successful study of human souls.
Raised in an educated family of a priest of free morals, Jane grew up an incredibly interesting girl. And although many contemporaries (especially those who were ridiculed by the sharp-tongued Jane Austen) considered her in some way arrogant, unlike other young ladies, those who knew her well enough - family members, friends - spoke of her as kind and fair, caring and noble woman.
The family has always supported Jane. A great inspirer and fan of her work was the father, who supported his daughter in everything. Reading many historical works, melancholy poems, Jane nevertheless did not become sad and dry from this. And having not found family happiness, she gave all her love and care to her brothers, sister and their children.
The Austin family was very friendly, after the death of her father, her older brother Henry helped Jane in many ways, published novels.
Jane Austen died in 1817. She was only 42 years old, the cause of death was the disease. According to the recollections of relatives, Jane suffered from pain, but until the last she tried to remain good-natured and not to burden loved ones with her condition.
What is timeless
A lot of interpretations, various variations in the cinema, theatrical productions, but the basis is the same - this is the work of Jane Austen. Her most popular work is Pride and Prejudice, but the book Feeling and Sensitivity also has many admirers. She was twice filmed - in 1995 and 2008. Each version is interesting in its own way and deserves the attention of the viewer.
What is the secret to the success of the works of this author? Her novels have almost no dynamics, there are no action-packed twists, detective puzzles and fantastic stories. But each work embodies the writer's love for England and its best traditions.
Common sense, nobility, generosity and devotion, purity of soul - these are the traits that Jane respected in people. On the contrary, vices, striving for personal gain, vulgarity, hypocrisy, envy ridiculed and considered unworthy traits of character.
Colorful characters, an incredible, detailed description of the beauties of England, sincerity - all this is inherent in the works of Jane Austen. “Feeling and Sensitivity” is one of those novels in which the author shows the transformation of the human character and way of thinking. She is generally inherent to create images with polar, maximalist thinking. The development of the character, his thoughts takes place throughout the entire work, and as a result, a climax occurs, always positive and happy.
Perhaps this explains the popularity of Jane Austen novels at all times, because virtue does not go out of fashion.
Feeling and Sensitivity: Characters
In his works, Jane Austen does not use a huge number of characters. Reading her work, you get to know each character as closely as if you knew him as a good friend. You begin to empathize with each sad and joyful event, feel every look, sigh and subtle hint of the author.
This is precisely the magic of the works of Jane Austen. “Feeling and Sensitivity” is a novel whose main characters are the sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The sisters, being in such close kinship, being very close and kind friends, are very different. Elinor is the height of prudence and judgment. Marianne is a young, impetuous, amorous, incredibly passionate and hot-tempered nature. She believes that only people like her are capable of love, that life should be like a flame - bright and burning.
The girls, the main heroines of the novel “Feeling and Sensitivity”, have a sister and an older brother, their father’s son from their first marriage. He is married to Mrs. Fanny Dashwood, a person extremely unpleasant, envious and angry. After the death of the father of the heroines, this particular couple will become the owners of the property of the deceased.
Brothers Edward and Robert Ferrars are siblings of Fanny. And it was Edward, the prudent young man, who was destined to fall in love with Elinor. Robert is a handsome young rake, and in life he is only concerned with entertainment and his own well-being.
Marianne had two admirers throughout the story. The first - Mr. Willoughby - witty handsome, sensitive and romantic nature in appearance, turned out to be an empty seeker of easy money. On the contrary, Colonel Brandon (a friend of a relative of the Dashwood sisters and their mother, Sir John Middleton, who harbored the main characters after the death of their father), was a serious, thoughtful man who genuinely sympathized with Marianne. He was associated with Willoughby in a conflict that exposed the essence of the young rake.
In addition, the sisters Still played an important role in the novel, the eldest of them, Miss Lucy, was once engaged to Edward, beloved Elinor.
Tricks of Fate
These are the main characters in the novel “Feeling and Sensitivity”. The summary of the novel must begin with the fact that the father of the Dashwood sisters died. Their brother and wife inherited the entire fortune, and, not heeding the death request of the deceased, left them with a third, younger, sister and mother without a livelihood. Women found shelter with a relative, Sir Middleton. By that time, Elinor had already met Edward Ferrars, but his sister deprived the girl of hopes for happiness, referring to her brother’s fast wedding to another.
Upon arrival at the new home, young ladies get acquainted with Willoughby, who captivates Marianne, but eventually leaves and marries the heiress of a great fortune, breaking the heart of Miss Dashwood who is in love with him.
Marianne is in despair, she is completely surrendered to emotions and soon becomes seriously ill. In those days, Elinor’s feelings remain a mystery to everyone. At the same time, the girls had a chance to meet the sisters of Still. Lucy is trying to gain confidence, to like, she is eager to find out what connects Elinor and Edward.
When the young man's mother finds out about the engagement of his son and Miss Still, she deprives him of his inheritance. Edward does not renounce his word given many years ago, and plans to marry the unloved Lucy. This person, realizing that such a party will not bring her wealth, directs all her charms to his younger brother Robert, and soon they will get married.
After some misunderstandings, their resolution, there comes a happy reunion of the hearts of Edward and Elinor, as well as Marianne and Colonel Brandon.
What is the book silent about and what is it so eloquently talking about?
The times when Jane Austen lived and worked are special in the history of England. The habit of people to live pragmatically, to search for a grain of rationality in everything, has always been inherent in the British. This is to some extent a national trait. Jane Austen was a sensible woman, and she endowed many of her heroes with the same qualities, and this did not bypass the main characters of the novel “Feeling and Sensitivity”.
The author tried to convey to the reader that, in addition to fortitude, awareness of a sense of duty and honor, it is equally important to look for ways to manifest love and friendship. No matter how good the intentions are in hiding one's own feelings, it is impossible to hide them all our life so as not to injure others.
What is being said about the book now, what grade has it been given in the past?
One of the first published novels by Jane Austen was Feeling and Sensitivity. Reviews about the book by contemporaries of the author were pretty good. And although the first edition was published at the expense of the Austin family, the second was already published at the expense of the printing house.
Jane Austen's books quickly found their reader. The wit and wit of the writer, the talent to describe quite everyday events with such a feeling and understanding of the subtleties came to the taste not only of ordinary people, but also recognized classics of literature.
These days, many also like this and many other works of Jane Austen. Lovers of romance novels as a genre in literature appreciate the talent of a writer.