From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
This week’s column focuses on a well-known British author, showcasing famous and less-known works.
Jane Austen was an “English writer who first gave the novel its distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life.”
In particular, Austen “is best known for her romantic plots following bold and headstrong young female protagonists.”
What
Some examples of Jane Austen’s best-known works include Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Mansfield Park.
Some lesser-known novels include Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Where
These works are set throughout Great Britain.
When
Austen’s novels are set during the 19 century.
Why
These novels may be interesting to AU students in the ENGL program, who would like to learn more about themes, such as literary satire, gothic horror, love, morality, gender, and class, common in Austen’s works.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to Jane Austen are available in a variety of disciplines, including ones that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in this topic may consider enrolling in ENGL 395: The Nineteenth-Century English Novel, a senior-level, six-credit course, which “introduces the student to some of the major English novels of the nineteenth century.” (Please note that this course requires several prerequisites, including ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays, or a first-year ENGL course). In particular, this course covers Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, as well as several of Austen’s contemporary’s notable works, including Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Students may also be interested in ENGL 393: The Early Twentieth-Century English Novel, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “focuses on the first four decades of the twentieth-century British novel, its history and development, its rich variety of forms and techniques, and the ideas and events that influenced it.” (Note that this course also requires several prerequisites, including ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays, or a first-year ENGL course). Happy reading!