The subject of this thesis is Jane Austen as a writer with an emphasis on the influence of her work worldwide. The main method and indicator of her influence are several branches of creation, such as books, television, film, theater, and the Internet. All of Austen’s achievements mean more today for two reasons. The first reason is ingratitude of the time she lived in, the difficult conditions, and the struggle and of course the worldview of the ages that made her to become what she is. The second reason for a greater meaning of her work today is the fact people have opened their eyes to exploration of literature, and her work began to be thoroughly reviewed and analyzed.
By realizing the importance of her work and the endless possibilities that may come from that, people have started to use Jane Austen as a brand and promote her work, as well as adapt and modify it. On one hand, this can be seen as a wonderful thing for literature and the preservation of Jane Austen’s heritage, while on the other hand what can be seen is the black hole of profit that the industry has produced by turning Austen into a brand. This thesis focuses on the influence of the writer, because each individual must make a judgment on the harm that the industry makes to writer’s creations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Digital Humanities and Other Terms
3. Biography of Jane Austen
4. Gregorian Era and the Rulers During Austen’s Life
5. The Position of a Woman in the Time of Jane Austen
6. Novels Based on Jane Austen’s Work
7. Film Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Work
8. TV Adaptations of Jane Austen’s work
9. Theatre Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Work
10. Cultural Influence and Fan Creations
11. Conclusion
12. Literature
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the global influence of Jane Austen as a writer, exploring how her literary work has transcended its original time period through various forms of media, including literature, film, television, theatre, and the Internet. The core research focus lies in analyzing the transmediality of her work and investigating the extent to which modern industries and fans have repurposed, branded, and adapted her legacy.
- The transmediation of literature and the evolution of Austen’s narratives in digital spaces.
- The socio-historical context of the Georgian Era and the position of women during Austen’s life.
- The transformation and rebranding of Austen’s novels in contemporary adaptations and mash-ups.
- The role of cultural institutions and global societies in preserving and promoting Austen’s heritage.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Biography of Jane Austen
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, in England. She died on July 18, 1817 in Winchester, Hampshire. In the Hampshire village of Steventon her father, the Reverend George Austen, was rector. She was the second daughter and seventh child in a family of eight, six boys and two girls. Her closest companion throughout her life was her elder sister Cassandra, neither Jane nor Cassandra married. Their father was a scholar who encouraged the love of learning in his children. His wife, Cassandra (née Leigh), was a woman of ready wit, famed for her impromptu verses and stories. The great family amusement was acting. Jane Austen’s lively and affectionate family circle provided a stimulating context for her writing. Her experience was carried far beyond Steventon rectory by an extensive network of relationships by blood and friendship. It was the world of the minor landed gentry and the country clergy, in the village, the neighbourhood, and the country town, with occasional visits to Bath and to London, that she was to use in the settings, characters, and subject matter of her novels.
Austen was an english writer who first gave the novel its distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life (Encyclopaedia Britannica). At 14, ever fascinated by the world of stories, Jane began to write in bound notebooks. In the 1790's, during her adolescence, she started to craft her own novels and wrote Love and Friendship, a parody of romantic fiction organized as a series of love letters. Using that framework, she unveiled her wit and dislike of sensibility, or romantic hysteria, a distinct perspective that would eventually characterize much of her later writing.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of Jane Austen’s work in the context of transmediality and defines the main hypothesis regarding her global influence.
2. Digital Humanities and Other Terms: Defines key concepts such as digital humanities, transmediation, and intertextuality to provide a theoretical framework for the study.
3. Biography of Jane Austen: Provides an overview of Austen’s life, family background, and early writing experiences in Steventon.
4. Gregorian Era and the Rulers During Austen’s Life: Describes the political and social climate of Britain during the reigns of George III and George IV.
5. The Position of a Woman in the Time of Jane Austen: Explores the societal limitations, lack of educational opportunities, and restricted life choices faced by women in the early 19th century.
6. Novels Based on Jane Austen’s Work: Examines contemporary literary adaptations, including the Bridget Jones series, Austenland, and various "mash-up" novels.
7. Film Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Work: Analyzes the transition of Austen’s narratives to the big screen, ranging from early versions to modern interpretations like Clueless and Bollywood productions.
8. TV Adaptations of Jane Austen’s work: Discusses miniseries and television adaptations, evaluating their production quality and fidelity to the original texts.
9. Theatre Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Work: Looks at how theatrical productions and musicals have reimagined Austen's novels for the stage.
10. Cultural Influence and Fan Creations: Details the role of international societies and fan organizations in maintaining Austen’s ongoing cultural presence.
11. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and reaffirms the enduring global importance of Jane Austen’s work.
12. Literature: Lists the sources and bibliography used throughout the research.
Keywords
Jane Austen, influence, Gregorian era, digital humanities, transmediation, intertextuality, literary adaptations, film history, Regency period, fandom, gender roles, cultural heritage, mash-up, narrative, social history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on Jane Austen as a writer and emphasizes the global influence of her work across various forms of creation, including literature, film, and television.
What are the central themes of the study?
Key themes include the transmediation of Austen's stories, the historical and social context of the 19th century, and the way modern industries have turned her identity into a global brand.
What is the primary research hypothesis?
The primary hypothesis is that Jane Austen’s work is a perfect example of transmediation and that her writings maintain a profound, lasting global influence.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The research methodology is based on an analysis of how Austen’s work is integrated into diverse modern media formats and how it is received by various cultural institutions and fan societies.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers a biography of the author, historical context, the status of women in her time, and extensive analysis of literary, cinematic, theatrical, and digital adaptations of her novels.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as Jane Austen, transmediation, digital humanities, Regency era, and cultural influence.
How does the thesis evaluate the impact of the "Bridget Jones" series on Austen's work?
The author discusses how the series, particularly "Bridget Jones's Diary," serves as a modern retelling of "Pride and Prejudice," illustrating the potential for transmediation to make classic stories accessible to contemporary audiences.
What is the author's stance on the industrialization of Austen's "brand"?
The author acknowledges that while modern branding and adaptations preserve Austen’s legacy, they also raise concerns about the "black hole of profit" and the potential harm caused to the writer's original creations.
- Quote paper
- Martina Šuvak (Author), 2021, The Influence of Jane Austen and her Work, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1161072
