When thinking of great writers of the past, one would think of Dante, Chaucer, Homer, Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, and the list goes on. An important name that will certainly come to mind is Jane Austen. Austen was a respected writer during her lifetime, but her true glory began after her death. During her life, Europe was very much expanding with literature and writing was increasingly influential. Austen’s different views on common events and issues really made her stand out from those during the time, and her intriguing writing still captivates readers today.
Jane Austen greatly impacted European world culture and society through her literature, as she reconsidered issues and situations of her time from a woman’s viewpoint. Jane Austen impacted European culture and society by subtly pointing out the unfair way women were regarded during her time. Living in the late 1700s and early 1800s as an upper class British woman, not much was individually expected from her. She was expected to marry into a wealthier family, bear children, play music, sing, and learn languages.
Nothing more than that was expected of Austen. Through her literature, Jane brought significant attention to a woman’s dependence on marriage to be financially secure and accepted in society. Though she was not distinctively a feminist, Jane Austen certainly pitied women who settled for such a low lifestyle without self worth and value, since they depended so highly on their social caliber and acceptance. She also points out repeatedly that women are capable of being successful intellectuals or writers, but they give in to less.
In one of Austen’s novels, Emma, we see this value on economic condition determining happiness. The first line says, “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence. ” (Jane Austen 1). This line relates to what most ladies of her day and age would consider “the best blessings of existence. ” Austen did not hesitate when it came to pointing out how women were placed beneath men, and it is certain that she wished it were not that way.
Jane Austen also impacted European culture and society by, despite being a woman, becoming a well-known and respected author. When Jane Austen first began to publish, her works were basically ignored because she published anonymously. However, Austen knew many well-known, respected authors like Sir Walter Scott and William Cowp¬¬¬¬er and many more. They were men, and she spent time analyzing their works to improve. When she did begin to publish as herself, her books did not receive the highest reviews. This most likely had to do with her being a woman.
Her major works are Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, all which relate to the pros and cons of being a woman in her society, and getting by (Austen Online). Austen’s evident talent in writing novels obviously shone through any prejudice or bias that existed towards women like her. She definitely exceeded expectations and worked to her full potential in life. Lastly, Jane Austen impacted European culture and society by expressing herself in a way so particular and intricate, that we still look to her works today.
Jane Austen might have not been too popular during her lifetime, but 200 years later, we are still discussing this woman’s writing. For example, Pride and Prejudice is not your typical book from the 1800s. In this book, the main character does not wish to marry just for economic stability or social influence; she does not want to be another woman. With ease and clarity, Austen places a different kind of thought into the minds of women. What if I do not get married? What if I do something independent, for myself, until I find true love?
Thoughts like these possibly never even crossed the minds of most women of the time. Austen had an influence in her own time. However, Austen does not cease to impact and inspire writers today. Immensely popular writer J. K. Rowling said, “Jane Austen is the pinnacle to which all other authors aspire. ” This shows that even hundreds of years later, successful authors of the 21st century still look to Jane Austen as an example, as a guideline to obtaining a truly excellent work of literature. Overall, it can be concluded that Jane Austen impacted European world culture and society in ways still very relevant today.
Throughout her lifetime, she did not get nearly as much recognition as she deserved. However, her legacy and example of literary expertise, despite being a woman, prove that she was very talented. Not only did Jane Austen impact her society by writing novels and incorporating new thoughts and ideas, but she also distinguished herself as a woman who accomplished much in a short period of time. Through her works, Jane Austen has left timeless pieces of art that impacted her society while she was alive and will continue to influence for years to come.
