Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice

Austen’s most famous novel, it follows Elizabeth Bennet and her evolving relationship with the wealthy but aloof Mr. Darcy. Key themes include class, marriage, and morality. Memorable characters include the humorous Mr. Collins and the vain Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The opening line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged…,” is iconic.

Sense and Sensibility

This novel contrasts two sisters, Elinor (sense) and Marianne (sensibility) Dashwood, as they navigate love and financial struggles. Themes include emotional restraint versus passion, and societal pressures on women to marry for financial stability. Memorable characters include the honorable Colonel Brandon and the charming but unreliable Willoughby.

Emma

The novel’s central character, Emma Woodhouse, is a wealthy, independent young woman who meddles in the romantic affairs of others, believing she is a skilled matchmaker. Her misunderstandings lead to both comedic and heartfelt moments. Key characters include the reserved Mr. Knightley and the naive Harriet Smith. Themes include social class and self-deception.

Mansfield Park

The novel follows Fanny Price, a poor girl raised by her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park. It explores themes of social class, morality, and the consequences of selfishness. Fanny’s reserved nature contrasts with the more lively characters, such as her cousin Maria Bertram and the charming but morally dubious Henry Crawford.

Northanger Abbey

This novel parodies Gothic literature as it follows Catherine Morland, a naive young woman whose imagination is influenced by reading Gothic novels. Her romantic interest in Henry Tilney and her stay at the supposedly mysterious Northanger Abbey fuel her fanciful ideas. Themes include the dangers of misreading situations and the folly of excessive imagination.

Persuasion

Austen’s final completed novel, it follows Anne Elliot, who was persuaded years earlier to break off an engagement with the man she loved, Captain Wentworth, due to his lack of fortune. The novel explores themes of second chances, class mobility, and the tension between personal desire and social expectations. Anne is one of Austen’s most mature heroines.

Lady Susan

This epistolary novel features Lady Susan Vernon, a charming but manipulative widow who schemes to secure advantageous marriages for herself and her daughter. The novella showcases Austen’s sharp wit and critique of social ambition and moral hypocrisy.