Life Lessons from Jane Austen
- The Reader
- Sep 13, 2016
- 5 min read
For those that don't know, Jane Austen is the best. Seriously, her books are funny, sweet, and are considered classics for a reason. But part of what makes them so good is that Miss Austen was not just writing romantic fluff; she was also writing a satire of social standards and the way people interact. So, here are 10 life lessons we can learn from the works of Jane Austen:
1. Reading is always a good idea. Many of Jane Austen's heroines are avid readers, and this is for a good reason; reading is wonderful. In a culture where women were expected to sing or knit, these characters were portrayed as the rare gems who preferred a good book and some honest conversation to putting on airs and comparing hand gloves. Not only was reading presented as a rich and enjoyable pastime, but also a trait of a finer, more noble woman. Of course, this depends somewhat on what kinds of books a woman might choose to read. Naturally, certain books were rather frivolous and could encourage fanciful and impractical ways of thinking. Which brings me to lesson two.
2. Flights of fancy ought to be controlled. Whether your fanciful mindset comes from reading too many novellas or just an overactive imagination, a woman of class needs to learn when to employ a little common sense. Several of Jane Austen's characters get into trouble because they act on their interpretation or vision of the situation, rather than the reality. It's important to look at the facts and be levelheaded in your assessment of them before running into a matchmaking scheme or accusation of murder. But as long as you keep a firm grip of reality and common sense, "Indulge your imagination in every possible flight."
3. True Love is not easy. Unfortunately, True Love is not easy to find, but that's no reason to give up. We live in a culture where people believe that whatever comes "naturally" or "most easily" is surely the right and best thing. But that just isn't true. Some of the best things in life require the most work. All of Jane Austen's heroines have some level of difficulty finding their True Love, but in the end it was worth the wait. So don't give up on love or success just because it's difficult or taking too long.
4. Laughter is a wonderful thing. Elizabeth Bennet spoke for us all when she said, "I dearly love a laugh" Laughter improves health, happiness, and social life. Jane Austen has inspired laughter for generations through the sharp humor she employed in her work. Finding something to laugh about can relieve awkward silences and turn acquaintances into friends. And in case you haven't noticed, many of Jane Austen's most enduring characters were quite funny, which tells us Jane Austen valued laughter as much as her heroine.
5. Social Standards are not always best. Part of what makes Jane Austen's work so funny is the way she pokes fun at social norms and trends. But while it is delightfully funny, we need to realize that there is a point. Now, our culture is very different than the one Jane Austen wrote about, but we can still walk away with a willingness and ability to call it like it is. Just because it's considered proper, or cool, doesn't make right, sensible, or good. Some things are simply foolish, while others are detrimental. Sometimes, it's ok to go against the flow of society.
6. Being clever is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with being smart, wise, or logical. Sometimes people are called out for spoiling the fun, or being stuck up, especially ladies. Obviously, you shouldn't be unkind about your intelligence, but you also should never feel like you have to hide your thoughts to fit in. There may be times when you feel a bit out of place, but in the end it is better to be honest about who you are. Jane Austen had many characters who were smarter or more observant than most of their peers, and sometimes they stuck out. But Jane Austen always portrayed intelligence as a good thing. In the end, her heroines always found someone who loved and admired their intelligence. And like Austen's heroines, eventually, you will find people who accept and appreciate you as you are. So hold your head high and don't be afraid to admit when you know a thing or two.
7. But being clever does not mean you are always right. On the flip side, sometimes characters who know a lot start to think they know it all. While being clever is fine, you also need to be able to admit when you're wrong. Think of how much sooner Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy would have been a couple had they been able to admit their mistakes. Of course, then we wouldn't have much of a story, but you get the idea.
8. Be willing to give second chances. This is similar to the last point, but in addition to admitting your own mistakes, you have to allow other people to mistakes as well. To me, Pride and Prejudice is about second chances. Darcy said some pretty horrible stuff, but he's human, and ultimately, Elizabeth chose to give him another chance. We need to do the same. Sometimes, there is more to a person than meets the eye, and a second chance may be all they need to change your mind about them.
9. Be willing to take second chances as well. Obviously, pride is also a pretty significant theme in Jane Austen's books. Sometimes our pride stops us from admitting we messed up (see lesson seven), but sometimes it also stops us from taking the second chances offered. We decide to hold our head high and pretend we don't need another chance, but if someone is wiling to give you a do-over, have the grace to take it. Again, had Elizabeth and Darcy both employed this lesson from the beginning their relationship would have gone so much smoother. But they didn't, so now we have an excellent book to read and an example of some mistakes to avoid in our relationships.
10. Dancing is an excellent activity. As someone who attends a school with a strict "no dancing" policy, I feel a bit rebellious putting this here, but it's true! First, dancing is good for your health, because you get a lot of exercise, and exercise relieves stress. Second, dancing is an excellent way to meet people. Unlike some other activities, dancing is something that can be done alone, in pairs, or in large groups. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to talk while dancing, so you'll get to know people a lot better than you might by watching a play together. Jane Austen uses dancing as a way for her characters to meet new people and engage in witty banter. As Jane Austen said in P&P, "To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love." And for many of them it ended in True Love, so it must be something worth trying out! And let's be honest; dancing is just really fun.
Sound off in the comments about what lessons you have learned from Jane Austen's books. What are your thoughts about this list?
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