zondag 29 mei 2011

She stopped writing, and was unable to start again for ten years

Jane's life was turned upside down in 1800 when it was announced that the family would move from Steventon to Bath.

Bath is an important influence in Austen's novels, and is often portrayed as an exciting place offering escape from the mundane. In Pride and Prejudice Wickham escapes his dull life by running away to Bath. Catherine in Northanger Abbey is all "eager delight" at arriving in the city.

But for Jane Austen her move to Bath was not a happy one. Much as she chafed against her limited life in Steventon, leaving the village was deeply traumatic. The traditional tale is that she fainted on hearing news of the move. She stopped writing, and was unable to start again for ten years.

In 1805 George Austen died leading to difficult circumstances. It was only after 1809, when her rich brother Edward provided Jane with a permanent home at Chawton in Hampshire, that writing began again.

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