The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of Jane Austen A Linked Index of all PG Editions of Jane Austen

"The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of Jane Austen" by Jane Austen is a comprehensive collection of her literary works compiled in the early 21st century. This anthology features beloved novels such as "Pride and Prejudice," "Emma," and "Sense and Sensibility," among others. The texts center around societal norms, manners, and romantic entanglements in the early 19th-century British gentry, often highlighting the lives and struggles of strong female protagonists. At the start of "Persuasion," one of the novels included in this collection, readers are introduced to Sir Walter Elliot, a preening baronet of Kellynch Hall whose vanity shapes his dismissive views of his own daughters, particularly Anne, the protagonist. As Sir Walter faces financial difficulties, the narrative hints at the family's impending move to Bath, which will change their dynamics significantly. The opening establishes the tone of social critique while neatly setting the stage for the juxtaposition of societal expectations and personal desires—elements that will play a crucial role in Anne's development throughout the story. Notably, the beginning highlights the contrast between Anne's quiet strength and her father's shallow concerns, suggesting deeper themes of character and value versus social status. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are implicit critiques of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her use of social commentary, realism, wit, and irony have earned her acclaim amongst critics and scholars.