This paper focuses on the physical sites which are associated with Jane Austen: the places where she lived and a selection of locations which appear in film adaptations of her novels. Both types attract thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. This leads to some of the following questions: Why do people feel the need to follow in her footsteps? Do they require these physical places in order to remember her? And considering the fact that the locations in question are now part of the tourism industry, how much do they actually still have to do with Jane Austen?
In cultural studies, memory is one of the most frequently discussed issues. In the last twenty years alone, there have been numerous publications on the subject. Inspired by the seminal work of Maurice Halbwachs (1877-1945), who was one of the first scholars to regard memory as a social phenomenon, Jan Assmann developed his theory of the ‘cultural memory’ in 1988. Pierre Nora’s concept of the lieux de mémoire, begun in 1984, continues to draw a great deal of attention in academic circles as well.
It is the aim of this paper to shed some light on the role the Jane Austen locations play in remembering her. In order to gain an understanding of this issue, certain aspects of Halbwachs’, Nora’s and Assmann’s theories will be connected to Jane Austen tourism. A short summary of their ideas can be found in chapter 2. The criteria by which the locations will be evaluated are listed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 contains an analysis of some of the most prominent Jane Austen-themed locations in contemporary England, including their relevance to Jane Austen’s life. The first part concentrates on places where she actually lived and where she stayed for longer periods of time. These are arranged in chronological order and followed by an analysis of several memorable film locations. In chapter 5, theory and practice will be joined in order to find answers to the questions previously asked. Finally, the paper ends with an overview of the relevant points.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Concepts of Memory
2.1 Maurice Halbwachs: La Mémoire collective
2.2 Pierre Nora: Les Lieux de mémoire
2.3 Jan Assmann: Das Kulturelle Gedächtnis
3 Criteria of Evaluation
4 Analysis of Jane Austen Locations
4.1 Biographical Locations: The Life of Jane Austen
4.1.1 Bath
4.1.2 Stoneleigh Abbey
4.1.3 Southampton
4.1.4 The Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton
4.1.5 Jane Austen’s house in Winchester and Winchester Cathedral
4.2 Film locations: Remembering Jane Austen in Moving Pictures
4.2.1 Chatsworth House
4.2.2 Lyme Park
4.2.3 Lacock
4.2.4 Groombridge Place
5 Remaining Jane Austen
5.1 The Practical and the Theoretical
5.2 Other ‘Figures of Memory’
5.3 The Popularity of Jane Austen Tourism
5.4 Quo Vadis, Jane Austen?
6 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis examines the role of physical locations associated with Jane Austen—both those where she resided and those featured in film adaptations—in the construction and preservation of her cultural memory. The study explores whether these sites serve as meaningful nodes of remembrance for fans and how the tourism industry influences the connection between contemporary visitors and the historical figure of Jane Austen.
- Application of memory theories by Halbwachs, Nora, and Assmann to literary tourism.
- Evaluation of biographical and cinematic sites as active spaces of collective memory.
- Analysis of the ‘Janeite’ community and its sense of belonging through shared physical experiences.
- Investigation of the tension between historical accuracy and the demands of the heritage tourism industry.
- Exploration of how film adaptations and digital media shape the modern perception of Jane Austen.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.1 Bath
When Mr and Mrs Austen told their two daughters that Rev. George was going to retire and that they were all going to move to Bath, Jane is said to have fainted. The decision to move was made entirely by her parents but of course Jane and Cassandra were forced to follow them. The entire household, including furniture and books, had to be sold before the move.
Jane Austen had already visited the town on several occasions. In 1797 she had stayed with her aunt and uncle, the Leigh Perrots, for two months at 1 The Paragon, and in 1799 she and her mother had lived with Jane’s brother Edward Austen Knight and his family at 13 Queen Square for several weeks. Northanger Abbey seems to reflect her first experiences in the town. The enthusiastic and naïve view which its heroine, Catherine Morland, takes was probably shared by Jane Austen: “Oh! who can be tired of Bath?" (Austen 2006a: 77)
In 1801 the family moved to 4 Sidney Place. The building is located on the south bank of the river Avon and it belonged to a very fashionable part of town in Austen’s time. The area had formerly been used for agricultural purposes but had recently been developed for residential use by the Pulteney family. The house was also an excellent choice because of its closeness to the countryside and to the Sidney Gardens, where the family took walks every day. The medieval city centre of Bath could be reached easily via Great Pulteney Street.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the enduring presence of Jane Austen in popular culture and sets out the research goal of analyzing memory sites associated with her life and works.
2 Theoretical Concepts of Memory: Outlines the foundational memory studies of Maurice Halbwachs, Pierre Nora, and Jan Assmann, providing a theoretical framework for the subsequent analysis.
3 Criteria of Evaluation: Establishes a systematic list of criteria to assess the significance, accessibility, and marketing of the various Jane Austen-themed locations.
4 Analysis of Jane Austen Locations: Provides a detailed empirical study of biographical and cinematic sites, examining their historical connection to Austen and their current status as tourist destinations.
5 Remaining Jane Austen: Reconnects the practical observations from the previous chapter back to the theoretical concepts, discussing the role of community, media, and the heritage industry.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that while historical authenticity may vary, these locations fundamentally serve to institutionalize and sustain the cultural memory of Jane Austen.
Keywords
Jane Austen, Cultural Memory, Literary Tourism, Maurice Halbwachs, Pierre Nora, Jan Assmann, Janeites, Heritage Industry, biographical locations, film adaptations, collective identity, social frames, lieu de mémoire, Pemberley, Jane Austen Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis investigates how physical sites associated with Jane Austen—such as her former homes and film locations—facilitate the remembering of her life and works in contemporary culture.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The work explores memory theory, the social dimensions of fan communities, the impact of film adaptations on historical perception, and the commercial role of the heritage industry.
What is the main research question?
The research asks why people feel the need to visit these physical places, whether these sites are necessary for remembering Austen, and how the current tourism industry impacts our understanding of her history.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, applying established memory theories (Halbwachs, Nora, Assmann) to assess specific Jane Austen sites based on defined evaluation criteria.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
It provides a comparative analysis of biographical locations (like Chawton and Bath) and cinematic “lieux de mémoire” (like Chatsworth House and Lyme Park), evaluating how they encourage fan interaction and community.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include cultural memory, literary tourism, Janeites, heritage industry, collective identity, and the specific theoretical frameworks of Halbwachs, Nora, and Assmann.
How is the “Janeite” community connected to memory sites?
According to the thesis, these sites provide an "imagined community" where fans meet, share experiences, and validate their collective interest in Austen, effectively moving her memory from the private to the social sphere.
Does the author consider the tourism industry to be detrimental to Austen’s memory?
The author argues that while the heritage industry treats buildings as products, this commercialization also ensures the preservation of her memory, making Austen accessible and omnipresent in the minds of her modern-day admirers.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Julia Reuter (Autor:in), 2009, Remembering Jane Austen. Exploring the Significance of Austen-Associated Sites in Cultural Memory and Tourism, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1416291
