By Konstantopoulou, Megan Cradock, Caroline Dowse, Zalak Shah and Ana Cecilia Matute
Jane Austen is an icon of romantic literature, her writing capable of bending social norms and transcending invisible boundaries. Burning bridges in her wake, the renowned author wrote a number of classic novels, most of which have become well-known around the world, and 2025 will mark the 250th anniversary of her birth. Austen’s works are frequently found in educational syllabuses and adapted for the stage and screen, and the author herself is the subject of an annual festival that takes place in Bath, UK. Whether looking to revisit an old favourite or discover her work for the first time, read on to explore the Austen World in celebration of Jane Austen’s birthday this December.
Pride and Prejudice
There is little doubt that Pride and Prejudice is one of the most famous works of Austen, with the 2005 film having received the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut. Having been written in the 17th century, the novel sparks a differently lit kind of fire, with the sparks of romance dancing between the dangerous line of hatred and love. Dipped in animosity, Mr. Darcy meets young Elizabeth Bennet at her household, and despite all pretences of either indifference or loathing, they are inevitably drawn to one another. In the era of ballroom dancing, chaperones and writing with paper and ink, the Bennet sisters grasp every chance they get to secure themselves through the act of marriage, while wickedness does not fall very far from the story. Austen successfully highlights the importance of family bonds and sticking true to one’s values, while managing to shift focus to the immense importance of love and its complications. Pride and Prejudice makes you fall in love with both Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennett, while synchronously teaching you a lesson or two about human pride.
Sense and Sensibility
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood have rather different outlooks on life. While Elinor prefers caution and rational thinking, Marianne is unafraid of expressing herself instantly and instinctively – and this causes frequent disagreements on everything from how to live one’s life to how to fall in love.
After the death of Elinor and Marianne's father, the family move from their lifelong home, Norland Park, into a cottage in the hills of Exeter. There, the Dashwood sisters quickly catch attention, forming friendships and attachments.
Filled with regency era balls and dinners, and overflowing with Austen’s signature wit, her usual themes of family, love and resilience prevail even in her first novel. Just like the Dashwood sisters, Austen leaves her readers grappling over whether it is better to prioritise sense or sensibility, or whether there is a third possibility: an equal balance of the two.
Northanger Abbey
This coming-of-age tale is about Catherine Morland, a pastor’s daughter who goes to Bath with her wealthy neighbours to help her find a match in high society. She meets Isabella Thorpe and her brother John, who takes an instant liking to Catherine – which is not reciprocated. Instead, she falls for Henry Tilney, who is the polar opposite of the arrogant John. Catherine is thrilled when Henry invites her to his home, Northanger Abbey. A fan of Gothic novels, her imagination runs wild when she discovers some secret rooms and she suspects Henry’s father, General Tilney, of committing a terrible crime. When General Tilney sends her home in disgrace, she fears that she has lost Henry for good.
This Gothic satire is full of the social commentary that defines Austen’s work. While the naive Catherine isn’t the most engaging of her heroines, Austen’s wit elevates the story and makes this one of her most readable novels.
Emma
Emma is a comedic novel based on the titular character Emma Woodhouse who fancies herself as a matchmaker after she successfully matches her governess. However, her plan to do the same for her new friend Harriet backfires when the prospective match confesses his liking for Emma instead.
As Emma continues her misguided attempts, people around her – especially her father and a family friend Mr. Knightley – get furious with her meddlesome behaviour and try to stop her. Over time, this leads to misunderstandings and eventual realisation on Emma’s part of her love for Mr. Knightley.
Written in her signature wit and style, Emma is an interesting exploration of human relationships, class differences and social norms. Emma’s transformation from an unlikeable character to a mature and empathetic persona is remarkable.
Lady Susan
This epistolary novel tells the story of Lady Susan, a recent widow, whose aim is to find a husband for her daughter, as well as for herself. With an ironic tone, the story highlights many societal issues of the time, which Austen observed very carefully in her work.
Moreover, Lady Susan is a fascinating character, as she does not fit the mould of Jane Austen's most popular characters. Instead, she constructs a different portrait of a woman who is more manipulative and raw than other characters written at the time.