Jane Austen, the author of popular book 'Pride and Prejudice' was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature.
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5 Love lessons from 'Jane Austen' books
Here are 5 lessons in love as taught by Jane Austen.
Jane Austen
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Here are some lessons in love you can learn from this brilliant author.
Proceed with caution
First impressions are very often wrong. Elizabeth Bennet was initially charmed by that cad, Wickham, and “had no very cordial feelings towards” Mr. Darcy. Marianne Dashwood was swept off her feet by Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility, but found true happiness with Colonel Brandon whom she’d first dismissed as "an absolute old bachelor." You can save yourself a lot of heartache if you don’t judge by appearances or instantly accept what people say about themselves.
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Don’t settle for someone
Maria Bertram in Mansfield Park accepts Mr. Rushworth’s proposal because he’s rich and seems to be the only prospect on her horizon. Big mistake. If she’d waited she might have found happiness. She ends up divorced, disgraced and condemned to live with her horrible Aunt Norris.
It's better to remain single and in want of a fortune than to be an unhappy wife.
Don't be pushy, but don't be a shrinking violet either
A hero or heroine will not try to move too fast. Catherine Morland inNorthanger Abbey is open and friendly, and Henry Tilney falls for her. She doesn’t try to play games or throw herself at him.
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But beware of being too shy. Jane Bennet almost loses Mr. Bingley by being so reserved. He has to know that her feelings for him are more than lukewarm. Similarly, you must be sure to show what Mr. Darcy called “symptoms of peculiar regard.” Don’t embarrass yourself or act out of character, but ensure that he or she can see that you really care.
Age gaps don't matter
Sometimes a hero and heroine will be close in age, but Jane knew that happy marriages could arise from unlikely pairings. Emma, in Sense and Sensibility loses her heart to Mr. Knightley, who is roughly 17 years older than her.
Don't wear purple unless...
Don’t try too hard to please the opposite sex. Don’t wear purple unless it suits you. The horrible Isabella Thorpe from Northanger Abbey writes to Catherine Morland, revealing her determination to catch a husband: “I wear nothing but purple now: I know I look hideous in it, but no matter — it is your dear brother’s favourite colour.”
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In this same novel, Jane tells us that “it would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire.”
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