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Pride and Prejudice (1813), the second novel by Jane Austen to be published, is arguably her most renowned work. Similar to Sense and Sensibility, this novel focuses on the lives of upper-class English society, particularly the romantic pursuits of the Bennet sisters. Elizabeth Bennet, a fiery character, and her equally dynamic suitor, Mr. Darcy, form one of literature's most iconic couples.
Mansfield Park (1814), another novel by Jane Austen, narrates the story of Fanny Price, a timid girl raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle. The novel delves into the moral questions of the era and is often noted for its more serious and moralizing tone, distinguishing it from Austen's other works.
Emma (1815), the last novel published by Austen before her death, is a lighthearted tale of upper-class courtship. It features a charming heroine and showcases Austen's sharp wit and keen observations of society. Emma shares similarities with Marianne from Sense and Sensibility in her spirited innocence and eventual maturation, reflecting Austen's views on the importance of social propriety.
Jane Austen's Letters (1997), edited by Deirdre Le Faye, is a collection of Austen's witty and insightful correspondence. These letters provide a glimpse into her daily life and the inspirations behind her novels.
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, authored by Mary Wollstonecraft and published in 1792, emerged during the burgeoning women's rights movement in England. While Austen was depicting the domestic and economic conditions of upper-class women, Wollstonecraft, a radical of her time, penned this significant work advocating for the equal education of women across all social classes. Although shocking and controversial in its era, it is now regarded as a classic in women's literature.
A Room of One's Own (1929), written by British author, literary critic, and feminist Virginia Woolf, presents Woolf's pioneering analysis of women's position in English literature, including that of Jane Austen.
Percy Bysshe Shelley, a nineteenth-century poet, was a central figure in the romantic movement. Romanticism emphasized passion, emotion, and individualism, which Austen is perceived to critique in her portrayal of Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. Shelley's most famous long poems include "Prometheus Unbound" (1820) and the controversial "Laon and Cythna" (1817), which was banned during his lifetime due to its sexual content and critical view of the church.
John Keats, another prominent poet of the romantic movement, is known for works such as "The Eve of St. Agnes" (1819) and "Ode on a Grecian Urn" (1819). These poems focus on the sensuality of both natural and artistic beauty.
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