Who Was Jane Austen? Sorting Fact from Fiction

De: Stephanie Insley Hershinow, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Stephanie Insley Hershinow

The novels of Jane Austen have captured the imaginations of generations around the world for over two centuries. Not only do these books maintain a special place in literary and popular culture, but there is also an entire multimillion-dollar industry of adaptations, organizations, and merchandise surrounding Austen and her work. Austen is one of the most beloved novelists of all time, and since her early death at age 41, she has become nothing short of a legend. And with legendary status comes the inevitable bending and embellishment of the truth.

In the six lectures of Who Was Jane Austen? Sorting Fact from Fiction, you’ll join literary scholar Stephanie Insley Hershinow to explore some of the most enduring myths surrounding Austen and her work. As you dive into the Regency period and the details of Austen’s life, you’ll hear her debunk many longstanding assumptions and misrepresentations that have shaped her image in the popular imagination.

Many of the original myths surrounding Austen were constructed by her own family, and most of her letters were destroyed to preserve her reputation as a sweet and unassuming spinster with no pretentions to fame or fortune. While we may now lack many of the primary sources that would reveal a more complete portrait of the author, a thorough reading of what we do have reveals a complex and fascinating woman who has been too long overshadowed by her own mythology. Join Professor Hershinow as she peels back the layers of myth and misconception to uncover the real Jane Austen.

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Historical context

I found this series most interesting for the discussion of writers and books Austen was familiar with, and for explaining some historical context of how the Napoleonic wars affected English life and led to such a presence of military in everyday life. The discussion of slavery and its use in the 1999 film adaptation of Mansfield Park was also very interesting. This is one of my favorite films adapted from Austen; I believe it developed her story by logically extending what she wrote to include components that she would not have been able to write about in her own day - as opposed to the very enjoyable film Clueless, which polished the surface to make it a present day story, but didn’t really delve into any meaningful new depths of thematic development. There was no mention made of Bride and Prejudice - another favorite film adaptation of mine, that takes place using a contemporary Indian family - but I would be very interested to hear an academic discussion of how adaptations have been molded to different cultural contexts like this one was. I suppose that falls outside the range of dispelling myths about Austen and her writing, though.

Thorough and entertaining

This was one of those excellent listens that made time fly by, as I was fully immersed. I don't consider myself a huge Austen fan, even having read what I thought was her full catalog, but I now have a greater appreciation for Austen as an author and a woman of her time.

I wish there was a PDF list of all the authors and scholars the presenter introduced. I tend to listen to audiobooks while my hands are otherwise engaged, so I didn't get to write down all the rich references. My loss.

Interesting and Engaging

Loved this. The speaker talks a tad too fast, which was easily rectified by slowing the speed down. The professor introduced me to new things about Jane Austen and only increased my admiration for Austen. The professor was so engaging that I immediately found and listened to her other book on Audible once I finished listening to this one. Dr. Hershinow, please make more Great Courses for those of us who are unable to attend your classes! I love these bite-sized Great Courses for when I don't have hours for a deep dive. However, this did make me determined to find time to listen to the 45 hour Jane Austen course!

Great insight!

This offered me a new view on Austin's time, influences and possible intentions. It's thoughtful and performed well, educational and enjoyable.