Jane Austen
By Clydia DeFreese
The woman who has impacted my life most greatly is Jane Austen! She's taught me to see the humor all around me, and not to take myself so seriously.
Although she never married, her writing about the sexes is honest, practical, but always with a touch of whimsy. She understands that life is what we make of it. Her character, Elizabeth Bennett, in "Pride and Prejudice" is a particular favorite. Elizabeth, who I suspect is a caricature of Jane Austen, sees the world and people openly and recognizes their imperfections, but understands she is not dependent on others for her opinions or entertainment. She recognizes the confines of her society and is cheerfully adaptable. So am I!
Her writing opened my eyes to the world. I became aware of my surroundings and that I had the power to change them. Her characters usually with humor portrayed situations that caused me to make life comparisons, to see similarities and possibilities. I began to ask questions, to think for myself about possible life paths.
Jane Austen's writings have helped our culture (and me) become aware of women's abilities. By pointing out the biased nature of society's feelings toward women in a humorous manner, she has helped the modern world to value everyone, according to ability rather than income. Because of her writings I have had more opportunities to be myself and pursue wider choices. If I join a club, I can be President; I don't have to settle for Secretary. I don't have to walk two steps behind. I can lead!
My parents were lower middle class and were more concerned with putting food on the table than the "manners" we used to eat. Miss Austen's books have been my etiquette books. How to treat others, how to write letters, how to address people...her books cover family social life. Because of her material I'm more aware of appropriate behavior in specific circumstances. (Her discussion of discomfort at balls brings vivid memories of being "partner-less" at dances in high school and college). She has demonstrated in her writing how to "look over" happenings with humor and see the bigger picture.
The world is a better, brighter place for everyone because of Jane Austen's writings, and I'm a finer person. I'm glad she's been a vital part of my life!
The Badass in the Bonnet
By Meredith Quinn
She is bold. Yes, as bold as they come. It may be cliché to reveal that my favorite authoress in Jane Austen, but it is with pleasure that I also reveal that for me, her work goes beyond any romantic fantasy of a single woman. Don’t get me wrong, I swoon every time Darcy and Elizabeth go for that final stroll in the garden or when Wentworth writes those legendary words to Anne Elliot: “You pierce my soul.” However, when I stop to think about how and why these masterpieces touch my life so much, I come to a very wonderful revelation. The heroines in Austen’s novels are extremely relatable. Each one is different in disposition yet they constantly stay true to themselves. I don’t know if it is very likely that I will marry an honest, handsome, and extremely wealthy man who happens to adore me, but I am certain that when I stay confident in what my heart is telling me, I can do almost anything. Jane understood that pain and heartache are the most formidable of feelings and that without them you cannot truly be whole. She knew that it is those times when you are feeling the worst that help you to realize important things about yourself. That’s why she never let any of her heroines get married until they grew up a bit. That’s why I appreciate how far I’ve come and how far I hope to go. At only 20 years of age, I know there is still strife to be had, but thanks to Jane I welcome it with open arms. I will always look for signs of hope, knowing that if Jane could see the beauty in humanity, so can I. It took courage for her to suggest that a woman could have an opinion and that she was not only as good as the match she made. That is why I will always say and say again: She is bold.
