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Pride and Prejudice. by Jane Austen. Historical Context:. Regency England. King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, later George IV, was instated to be his proxy as Prince Regent.
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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Historical Context: Regency England King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, later George IV, was instated to be his proxy as Prince Regent. The term is often expanded to apply to the years between 1795 and 1837, a time characterized by distinctive fashions, politics and culture. A transitional period between "Georgian" and "Victorian" eras. The era was distinctive for its architecture, literature, fashions, and politics.
George III • During His Reign: • Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War, becoming the dominant European power in North America and India. • The American Revolutionary War led to the establishment of the United States. • Napoleonic Wars (20 years) finally concluded in the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. 1738-1820
“Bouts of Insanity” In the latter half of his life, George III suffered from recurrent and, eventually, permanent mental illness. Medical practitioners were baffled by this at the time, although it is now generally thought that he suffered from the blood disease porphyria. After a final relapse in 1810, his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, ruled as Prince Regent. On George III's death, the Prince Regent succeeded his father as George IV.
The Royal Pavilion at Brighton:built for the Prince Regent in 1785.
Regency Food and Drink: “Shirred” or Baked Eggs: Eggs en Cocotte A posset was made from warm milk, brandy and spices. Nurses would give them to children to help them sleep at night. A posset pot Sandwich Trays French Pottage (Duck Soup) Partridge
Biographical Information 1775-1817
The only two surviving portraits that we are certain are of Jane Austen, are these two sketches by her sister Cassandra: Every other portrayal that you normally encounter of Jane is either a manipulation of the above drawings or purely conjecture.
Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813, although Jane Austen began writing it under the original title “First Impressions” between 1796 and 1797.
Jane’s Family Tree: Henry was Jane Austen's favorite brother. He was witty and enthusiastic in whatever he did; the eternal optimist, though success did not always find him. He and James fell for the same woman. She eventually chose Henry. • Francis: Had the most glorious career of the Austen brothers, serving in the Navy from the age of 12 and eventually achieving Knighthood as Sir Francis Austen and rising to the position of Admiral of the Fleet. • Charles: Charles was Jane's darling little brother, clearly a favorite with both sisters as a boy. Joined the Naval Academy at the age of 12 and was stationed in the West Indies for seven years. • Edward: adopted by his father’s wealthy, childless Patron, Thomas Knight. Instead of University, he was sent on the "grand tour" of Europe before he inherited Knights’ estate and took their name. Cassandra: Jane’s only sister. They were inseparable. She drew the only two known portraits of Jane. • George: Little is known of her brother George, who spent most of his life living with a farming family a few miles away. It has been speculated that he was either mentally or physically handicapped, or perhaps that he was deaf, based on Jane’s comment that she was fluent in “finger speaking”. James: Often thought by the family to be the "literary one”. Followed in his father's footsteps, attended Oxford, and was the editor of a magazine.
Jane Austen’s Mahogany Writing Table: Jane wrote in secrecy. It was considered de-feminizing to be an author. Her close family knew, supported and preserved her writing. The famous “creaking” door: Jane Austen refused to oil the creaking swing door between the front door and the offices, because it warned her of approaching guests.
The style of portable writing desk that Jane Austen would have used, hinged, with room to store papers:
Despite her propensity for writing about romance, Jane Austen never married. She fell in love once, with Tom Lefroy, pictured above. It seems he ultimately broke her heart when he left without proposing. He was engaged to another, more socially “suitable” woman by the next Spring. She died at the age of 41, probably from Addison’s Disease (adrenal insufficiency). Jane Austen’s novels have never been out of print.
"Jane Austen can in fact get more drama out of morality than most other writers can get from shipwreck, battle, murder, or mayhem." -- Ronald Blythe
