Yet again, I am drawn back to contemplating why I love Jane Austen, and why she has endured for so long, and shall continue to do so. I am, of course swept away by the beauty, the simplicity, and the romance of the early 19th century that Jane portrays. I find that Jane touches a part of my heart that is seldom touched by anything in this modern world I find myself in. I am reminded that, although Jane gave all her heroines "everything that they desire" she did not have that in her own life. Rather than marry without affection, she chose to defy society and all her family and friends. In a way I suppose that she was a feminist for her time, but still, she lived to a higher moral code than we do now. Just because she felt she couldn't marry without affection, she also would not take a lover or abandon her family to fulfill her own selfish wishes.
What one must remember about the real time of her novels is that women really had very little choice in the world. We are reminded of this with the case of poor Charlotte Lucas who marries the odious Mr. Collins. She is trapped. As she says in the new version of "P&P" "Not all of us can afford to be romantic". Men too were trapped by their circumstances, due to the great pride that the British Class system afforded in the day. Men, as well as women could be disinherited if they planned to "plant their affections in less exalted ground then they deserved" as Mrs John Dashwood puts it all too well.
In Jane Austen, love is, for the most part something that is hidden behind the mask of English propriety. But nevertheless, it still runs deep. The love and affection felt between the heroines and their heroes is most evident when one or the other finally comes to know that the other returns their affection. Just because there are few outward signs of love or passion, does not mean that those emotions do not exist. Just because Elinor and Edward have a quiet easy relationship does not make it any less passionate or affectionate then Marianne's feelings toward Willoughby. Affection can be shown in a million different ways, and Jane Austen shows us, more beautifully than any other, how these ways do not have to always be centered solely on passion, lust, or sex. There is something far greater out there, and it begins with trust, respect and last but never least, friendship. Affection need not be shown with a kiss or an embrace, but with a gentle hand tucking a ladies shawl back around her shoulders, as we see in the Emma Thompson "Sense and Sensibility". We are reminded, by Jane's own example that we should never settle for less. That there is something sweet and mysterious waiting just around the corner...something as hard to describe as the haunting, wistful fragrance of violets. May we never lose sight of the beauty and simplicity of life. For all life's complications, may we remember to always stop......
and smell the roses.
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