Jane Austen is a figure who fascinates people. The spinster aunt who was also a literary genius, the intellectual who is also a pop culture icon, the literary realist who eschewed sentimentalism yet her novels are beloved love stories. Perhaps you are a Janeite (an Austen fan) or are reading her work as part of a literature course. Whether you already love her work, are puzzled by it or just want to know more, this course is for you.
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Jane Austen is a figure who fascinates people. The spinster aunt who was also a literary genius, the intellectual who is also a pop culture icon, the literary realist who eschewed sentimentalism yet her novels are beloved love stories. Perhaps you are a Janeite (an Austen fan) or are reading her work as part of a literature course. Whether you already love her work, are puzzled by it or just want to know more, this course is for you.
Jane Austen is a figure who fascinates people. The spinster aunt who was also a literary genius, the intellectual who is also a pop culture icon, the literary realist who eschewed sentimentalism yet her novels are beloved love stories. Perhaps you are a Janeite (an Austen fan) or are reading her work as part of a literature course. Whether you already love her work, are puzzled by it or just want to know more, this course is for you.
Following the success of my best selling English Literature., World Literature and Understanding Shakespeare courses, I decided to enter the world of Austen and discover the woman and her work. By the end of the course, you will be conversant with the literary trends of Austen’s time and how she responded to them and subverted them, her role as one of the instigators of literary realism, the historical and political context of her work in their own day and the movements which embrace her today and her ability to use free indirect speech to portray relatable characters.
For each text we examine there will be a publication background, synopsis, discussion of themes and criticism of the text plus questions to help you examine the text and your own response to it.
Texts covered:
· Lady Susan
· Lesley Castle
· Sense and Sensibility
· Pride and Prejudice
· Northanger Abbey
· Mansfield Park
· Emma
· Persuasion
· Sanditon
· The Watsons
· A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh
I am looking forward to joining you on this enthralling journey through the life, mind and times of a brilliant woman.
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What's inside
Learning objectives
- Discover why jane austen is considered one of the greatest writers of all time
- Undertsand the literary and historical contect of austen's work
- Assess her impact both on literature and on popular culture
- Find out how her life impacted her work
- Understand jane austen's influence on woemn's writing and literature generally
- Enjoy jane austen's stories and the story of her life
- Encounter stories by austen that you may not have read before
- Discover why jane austen is considered one of the greatest writers of all time
- Undertsand the literary and historical contect of austen's work
- Assess her impact both on literature and on popular culture
- Find out how her life impacted her work
- Understand jane austen's influence on woemn's writing and literature generally
- Enjoy jane austen's stories and the story of her life
- Encounter stories by austen that you may not have read before
Syllabus
Introduction
The Texts
Jane Austen's Work in Context
The Life of Jane Austen
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Syllabus
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Activities
Review close reading skills
Show steps
Refresh your close reading skills to improve your ability to analyze literary texts.
Browse courses on
Close Reading
Show steps
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Read a short story or novel excerpt and identify the main themes and motifs.
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Pay attention to the author's use of language, imagery, and symbolism.
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Analyze the characters' motivations and actions.
Create a timeline of Austen's life and works
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of Austen's life and career by creating a timeline.
Show steps
-
Research key events in Austen's life and the publication dates of her works.
-
Create a timeline that visually represents the chronology.
-
Include annotations or brief descriptions of the events and works.
Read 'The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen'
Show steps
Provide a comprehensive overview of Austen's life, work, and literary significance.
Show steps
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Read the chapters on Austen's major novels.
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Pay attention to the author's analysis of Austen's characters, themes, and writing style.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Follow video tutorials on literary analysis
Show steps
Supplement your understanding of literary analysis through guided tutorials.
Show steps
-
Search for video tutorials on literary analysis concepts.
-
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key points.
-
Apply the techniques you learn to your own analysis of Austen's novels.
Analyze short passages from Austen's novels
Show steps
Practice your close reading and analysis skills on short passages from Austen's novels.
Show steps
-
Select a short passage from one of Austen's novels.
-
Identify the main themes, motifs, and literary devices used in the passage.
-
Write a brief analysis of the passage, explaining your interpretations.
Attend a group discussion on Austen's work
Show steps
Engage with other students and share your insights on Austen's work.
Show steps
-
Attend a group discussion or online forum.
-
Actively participate in the discussion and share your own perspectives.
-
Listen to the other participants' insights and engage with their ideas.
Write a character analysis essay
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of Austen's character development by writing an essay analyzing one of her characters.
Show steps
-
Choose a character from one of Austen's novels.
-
Analyze the character's motivations, actions, and relationships.
-
Write an essay exploring the character's development and significance.
Help a fellow student with Austen-related questions
Show steps
Sharpen your understanding of Austen's work by helping others.
Show steps
-
Identify a fellow student who is struggling with Austen-related concepts.
-
Offer to help them by explaining the concepts or providing guidance.
-
Facilitate a discussion or study session to reinforce their understanding.
Review close reading skills
Show steps
Refresh your close reading skills to improve your ability to analyze literary texts.
Browse courses on
Close Reading
Show steps
- Read a short story or novel excerpt and identify the main themes and motifs.
- Pay attention to the author's use of language, imagery, and symbolism.
- Analyze the characters' motivations and actions.
Create a timeline of Austen's life and works
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of Austen's life and career by creating a timeline.
Show steps
- Research key events in Austen's life and the publication dates of her works.
- Create a timeline that visually represents the chronology.
- Include annotations or brief descriptions of the events and works.
Read 'The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen'
Show steps
Provide a comprehensive overview of Austen's life, work, and literary significance.
Show steps
- Read the chapters on Austen's major novels.
- Pay attention to the author's analysis of Austen's characters, themes, and writing style.
Follow video tutorials on literary analysis
Show steps
Supplement your understanding of literary analysis through guided tutorials.
Show steps
- Search for video tutorials on literary analysis concepts.
- Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key points.
- Apply the techniques you learn to your own analysis of Austen's novels.
Analyze short passages from Austen's novels
Show steps
Practice your close reading and analysis skills on short passages from Austen's novels.
Show steps
- Select a short passage from one of Austen's novels.
- Identify the main themes, motifs, and literary devices used in the passage.
- Write a brief analysis of the passage, explaining your interpretations.
Attend a group discussion on Austen's work
Show steps
Engage with other students and share your insights on Austen's work.
Show steps
- Attend a group discussion or online forum.
- Actively participate in the discussion and share your own perspectives.
- Listen to the other participants' insights and engage with their ideas.
Write a character analysis essay
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of Austen's character development by writing an essay analyzing one of her characters.
Show steps
- Choose a character from one of Austen's novels.
- Analyze the character's motivations, actions, and relationships.
- Write an essay exploring the character's development and significance.
Help a fellow student with Austen-related questions
Show steps
Sharpen your understanding of Austen's work by helping others.
Show steps
- Identify a fellow student who is struggling with Austen-related concepts.
- Offer to help them by explaining the concepts or providing guidance.
- Facilitate a discussion or study session to reinforce their understanding.
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