Jane Austen good or?

Question

What do you think about the way she wrote? At first her books were published under a different name...why? Do you think she was worried that it might not be so good and bring the family shame?

Answer 1

Jane Austen was a *great* writer. She captured the upper-middle-class attitudes of her time perfectly.

In the early 19th century, ladies were supposed to be respectably demure, and being published writers didn't fit that image, unless the writing was poetry or some such. So, many women published their work under male pseudonyms. The Bronte sisters encountered the same prejudice, so their books were originally published under the male names of Acton (Ann), Currer (Charlotte), and Ellis (Emily) Bell.

Answer 2

Jane Austen never published under a different name. "Sense and Sensibility" was her first published work, and it was described as being written by "A Lady." "Pride and Prejudice" was written "by The Author of Sense and Sensibility" and "Emma" and "Mansfield Park" were "by the author of Pride and Prejudice."

Jane Austen's brother was her biggest fan and published "Persuasion" and "Northanger Abbey" after her death, letting everyone know what a wonderful author his sister really was. Her family let her read what she wanted as she was growing up, and encouraged her.

In case you can't tell, I like the way Jane Austen wrote and loved all six of her novels, as well as the juvenilia I've read.

Answer 3

I love her books, they're funny and sincere. I don't think she cared about her book bringing "shame"...when you write, you put a lot of personal effort into your book, that means experiences, opinions and maybe characters who are very much like the people you know...and there is a chance that these people might figure out you were talking about them...a pen-name is like a screen name, and it allows you to be more honest about how you REALLY feel...

Answer 4

I didn't know she wrote under a pseudonym. Maybe because back then being a writer was not considered proper for a woman.