The Austen Effect

Alexandru Paul Mărgău

Jane Austen
• Born on December 16th 1775, at Steventon, 7th child of George and
Cassandra Austen
• July, 18th 1817: dies at Winchester after many months of struggle with an
unknown disease; 1805 - 1809: Godmersham (Edward), Steventon
(James), Manydown (Harris Bigg & sisters), Bath, Southampton (Francis),
Kintbury (Fowle family), Brompton (Henry)
• 1809: Permanent move to Chawton
“Chawton village, a dozy place startled into attention several
times a day by the clatter of rapid coach traffic through its centre,
stood where three roads met: to the north, Alton and London; to
the south, Winchester if you followed one fork, Gosport along the
other.” Claire Tomalin - Jane Austen. A life
The Austens’ cottage was on the corner at the divide, so close to the
road that the beds in the front rooms upstairs were sometimes shaken by
the six-horse coaches that thundered past. Slower carriages allowed
curious passengers to see into the rooms. “I heard of the Chawton
Party looking very comfortable at Breakfast, from a gentleman who
was travelling by their door in a Post-chaise,” Mrs. Knight wrote to
Fanny soon after Mrs. Austen had moved in.

Claire Tomalin. Jane Austen (Kindle Locations 2466-2467).

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
 Its tapestried walls, intricate corridors, huge old
fireplaces, great hall, gallery and family portraits
impressed them properly, but not to the exclusion of
more modern attractions; Fanny’s diary records three
shopping expeditions to Alton with Aunt Jane in five
days.

Claire Tomalin. Jane Austen (Kindle Locations 2466-2467).

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
“By 7 July they were in the cottage at Chawton, joined soon
afterwards by Cassandra and Martha. The effect on Jane of this
move to a permanent home in which she was able to re-establish
her own rhythm of work was dramatic. It was as though she were
restored to herself, to her imagination, to all her powers: a black
cloud had lifted. Almost at once she began to work again. Sense
and Sensibility was taken out, and revision began.”

Claire Tomalin. Jane Austen (Kindle Locations 2466-2467).

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Edward was a jolly father; he took Fanny riding, and one day at breakfast
offered her sixpence if she would hold her tongue for five minutes.

Claire Tomalin. Jane Austen (Kindle Locations 2466-2467).

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

✤ Around 60 families lived there at the time, mostly workers

✤ Taught children to read and write
✤ Made clothes for the needy
✤ Spent time with the Knight family when there
✤ Walks
✤ Writing
In Chawton

✤ Grew into the author we know

✤ Became a favorite aunt for Fanny Knight

✤ Observed life all around her and wrote about it (the life in the
servants’ kitchen)

✤ Left a mark all around there and the surrounding area

✤ Created a space wherein readers could go today to meet with her

✤ No photos and letters means a more personal connection