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This graphic features Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Bennet, Lydia Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Wickam in a slightly humorous and sassy account of each of their character types and personalities. The character descriptions expose the most prominent aspects of their characters, and although it primarily focuses on the characters from Pride and Prejudice, these characters translate across many works of Jane Austen and the countless adaptations of her works. These are not limited to Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey. This exposes much about Austen and her writing style, in the way the plot and characters often remain the same while incorporating slight adjustments to provide diversity in writing. 

This meme showcases several prominent character tropes that Jane Austen incorporates and features in her novels, that also show up repeatedly in adaptations of Jane Austen’s work – each of these character types show up in her novels with slight adjustments, however, the basic character model remains the same. This remains in adaptations like Longbourn, where similar characters exist but are modified to best fit the adaptation and adjusted plotline. We see similar character traits and physical similarities between characters; however, adaptations provide alternate plot structures and some differences in character. Regardless, this incorporation showcases the strength of these character tropes that Jane Austen has created and masterfully implemented in each of her novels. 

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I came across this slightly bizarre but beautiful guitar performance titled "Good Society - A Jane Austen Role Playing Game" from the Moomba Festival in March of last year. Although my initial reaction was slightly confused as I tried to translate the words and connect them to Jane Austen and the Good Society, I soon began to understand the connection and had an appreciation for the song. The following lyrics specifically stuck out to me: "quiet desperation, seems to be the English way" and "my heart took somewhere else away from who I say I am." These lyrics are representative of Austen, as well as the Good Society and the themes it sets up in gameplay. 

The Good Society furthers the typical characters and plot lines that Jane Austen masterfully and strategically incorporates into each of her novels, giving the readers a chance to apply these themes to a customizable and personal setting. Things like the “Monologue Card” serve to deepen the readers connection with these character tropes and storylines and give them more of a real life and personal feel in terms of rendition. This song arguably does the same thing, in the way that it takes the Austinian themes and gameplay themes and turns them into a personal form of expression, which in this case, is music. Although it may not be understood for everyone, it serves to represent the singer’s personal connection with Austen and the way that they relate and digest themes of love, romance, in the lens of Austen. Maybe the point isn’t for everyone to understand or relate, similar to how each game played in the Good Society is representative of the specific group that plays it and would most likely be drastically different for each group dependent on its members and relation to Austen. Instead, these forms of gameplay and expression represent individuality in the context of Austen, and how these literary strategies personally reflect in the readers, or Jane Austen’s audience. 

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This is a book cover I made of Michaela MacColl, Secrets in the Snow, that blends the motifs and themes of Jane Austen as an author, and the adaptation. I added a medieval dress on top of the red cloak, along with a medieval hairstyle that showcases Jane Austen’s portrait. I also added a faded image of Mr. Darcy, to represent the themes of romance within the novel. Regardless of the murder rendition, themes of romance evidently play out and always exist in works and adaptations of Jane Austen, who is always accompanied by this untraditional plot of romance. 

It was interesting to see how romance integrated its way into the novel. Jane Austen’s definition of romance is clearly very unique and interesting, and it plays out in very unconventional ways throughout her various works with characters who experience a very untraditional path to the ultimate ending, which for the most part is marriage. This is evident in works like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. The characters never receive a typical romance plot of falling in love, but rather the characters go through ups and downs, and major heartbreaks before reaching the traditional romance part (which’s entirety typically takes place over the course of the final chapter). It was interesting to see this similar plot trajectory play out in Secrets in the Snow, where romance was not the priority, but ultimately made its way into the murder mystery. MacColl did a wonderful job at mirroring this plot strategy that Jane Austen has mastered, and it was easy for me to notice these parallels. 

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This meme highlights the characters of Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Collins, in a comedic satire that pokes fun at Mr. Collin’s love life. The first scene is from the 2005 rendition of Pride and Prejudice, at the end of the film where they confess their love for one another and see their happy ending. The second scene is from the same film, where Mr. Collins courts and is rejected by Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy and Elizabeth get their romantic ending and happily ever after throughout renditions of the work, whereas Mr. Collins always ends up with drama and rejction in his love life. This remains a theme throughout different readings of the work, and is even furthered in Lost In Austen. 

It is no secret that Mr. Collins struggles in the department of love. Every Jane Austen rendition showcases a slightly different plot trajectory with slight changes, but this is the fact that stays the same. Regardless of his awkward and overbearing nature, the poor guy can never catch a break. This character and plot trajectory is highlighted and even heightened in the 2008 TV Series Lost In Austen, with the intervention of Amanda Price. His proposal is not only badly received, but also violently interrupted by Amanda resulting in a woman running away crying. This was possibly the worst case scenario for him in courting her, and showcases the misfortune of poor Mr. Collins who fails in the department of love and also basic social norms. 

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This meme showcases the character of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 movie rendition of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It features the pivotal scene where Darcy first confesses his love to Elizabeth, which the movie depicts as a dramatic scene in the pouring rain that ultimately renders Elizabeth shocked and speechless. The meme text references Darcy’s manner in courting/flirting with Elizabeth, which is seemingly rude and “roasting” as he states. This meme has even greater relevance with the context of the end of the book.

It is no secret that Darcy’s personality and treatment of Elizabeth are somewhat prideful, standoffish, and rude, especially towards the beginning. The reasons for this treatment are revealed towards the end, both through Darcy’s verbal and written confessions. It is still unclear and debated, however, whether his reasons are justified. His letter to Elizabeth is one example. The letter clears two of his accusations, the former which accused him of splitting up Elizabeth’s sister Jane and Mr. Bingley, and the latter questioning his relationship with Mr. Wickam. In his responses, the former one specifically, he continues to roast Elizabeth’s family and their intentions on the matter of that marriage and acknowledges that he split the couple due to his personal beliefs on the matter. This is all said after he confesses his love for Elizabeth, and his infatuation with her that render’s him speechless, causing “every idea seemed to fail him” in her presence. All this is to say that the readers are aware that he is completely infatuated with Elizabeth at this point, which is why his actions are so confusing at times, and so heavily debated. It also explains why there are so many varying views and appreciations for Mr. Darcy. I personally have a love hate relationship with him as he navigates this infatuation with Elizabeth in an extremely confusing, contradictory, and loving way.  

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This is a meme I made, that showcases the character of Mrs. Bennet, or the mother of Elizabeth Bennet. It features a reimagination of the first line of the novel, which originally reads “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” “The most odious woman alive” is a phrase I got from Gilmore Girls, but I believe it perfectly applies here to reference the character of Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. 

Mrs. Bennet remains a central figure in the novel right from the start, where her interest in getting her daughter married is heavily apparent. In fact, this prospect remains to be the central initiative of her life and pursuits. The following quote showcases it best: “The business of her [Mrs. Bennet] life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.” Alongside aiding her daughter’s pursuits of marriage, Mrs. Bennet showcases several characteristics that can be only referenced as obnoxious, impeding, and airheaded in a sense. She makes countless remarks about individuals without having an awareness of who is around her, how rude these statements might be, or what affect they have on others. Her recountance of Mr. Bingley dancing with Miss Lucas is one example, as she states how “he did not admire her at all indeed, nobody can, you know...” in reference to her physical appearance. Austen specifically uses the words “mean understanding,” and “little understanding” to directly describe Mrs. Bennet’s character, which even showcases Austen’s feelings towards her. Little understanding cannot mean anything other than dense or dumb.  

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This meme draws a parallel between the character of Marianne from Sense and Sensibility and Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. The meme showcases Elle Woods in bed after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend, seemingly throwing something at a portrait of Willoughby.

This meme draws a perfect comparison between the reactions of both girls to their lovers, and being ignored/dumped. Having such a strong attachment to their former lovers, Marianne and Elle see their lives come crashing down after they are rejected. It showcases much about the characters specifically, along with social constructs at the time. They specifically share the character traits of sensibility, attachment, and a general a lack of self-love (initially, at least for Elle Woods). It causes them to both be smitten by lackluster men, that end up breaking their hearts and betraying them in various ways. It’s interesting that the role of women in relationships seems similar in this case. Austen is a traditionalist and writes about women in the 1700s. Legally Blonde is a movie from the 21st century, featuring modern constructs that represent progress and history. It’s interesting that such a stark and obvious parallel can be drawn with a modern, 21st century breakup scene. Although men and women both have equal reactions to relationships, this meme specifically showcases the role of women in this case and is interesting to see in the context of both, very different works.  

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This meme features 3 characters from film adaptations of various Jane Austen works, including John Willoughby from Sense and Sensibility and Mr. Wickam from Pride and Prejudice, respectively.  

Each of these characters initially embody heroic attributes in the context of love interests for the various protagonists, however, as the meme suggests, their true characters come out through their actions as both works progress. John Willoughby is specifically referenced as a hero in his introduction in the novel, showcased in the following quote: “His person and air were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a favorite story...” Even the plot introduction paints him in a very heroic state, as he rescues Marianne from a fall and carries her all the way to safety. However, his true character is illuminated through his actions as the novel progresses, when he betrays Marianne and acts in a haughty and harsh manner. The following quote showcases this character portrayal as a villain: “a letter of which every line was an insult, and which proclaimed its writer to be deep in hardened villainy.” Austen’s characterization of people like John Willoughby and even Edward helps craft an intriguing novel, that forces the reader to analyze the characters for themselves, and even use Marianne and Elinor’s thoughts to inform their conclusions. Marianne’s naivety could be part of the reason why the readers see John Willoughby in such a positive light initially, because in her eyes, he is everything she is looking for. Her perception, however, could be clouded by her sensibility and longing for love, that consequently could have diluted the reader’s perception of John Willoughby. This is one explanation for why the readers see characters like John Willoughby in such a heroic light, when in fact, they are the villain.  

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This meme showcases the parallel between Sense and Sensibility and the Disney movie Frozen, and more specifically the parallel relationship between Marianne and Willoughby, and Princess Anna and Prince Hans. It features the characters of Marianne and Willoughby mid-dance, in what seems to be a majestic hillside setting. The text features the lyrics “Love is an open door” from the Frozen soundtrack, illustrating the blend between both works.  

The book and movie draw obvious parallels in both the characters and plot lines they feature. Elsa and Elinor both exhibit the “sense” side of character, in their quiet and collected reserve that grants them understanding and intellect. Elinor specifically is described as having a “coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother...She had an excellent heart;—her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.” This counseling is something Elsa also exhibits in the movie and serves as a parental figure in that sense towards her sister Anna. The characters of Anna and Marianne illustrate “sensibility,” in referencing their over emotional personalities and large capacity for love and emotion. Marianne is specifically described as “sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.” This lack of moderation and large capacity of emotion, love, and sensibility is something her and Anna share, and explains how they formed such a strong attachment to their respective partners (Willoughby and Hans) in such a short amount of time, that ultimately result in disaster and heartbreak. The parallels between these two works hit me at Marianne’s first encounter with Willoughby. The character parallels are blatantly apparent, but the sequence of events in the forming of these relationships confirmed the fact that they are both the same story, in different fonts and time periods.  

https://www.reddit.com/r/janeausten/comments/27wt5r/frozen_sense_and_sensibility/.

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This is a graphic I made, that highlights Jane Austen's famous quote from Sense and Sensibility: "It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do." Actions often speak louder than words, and our actions ultimately transform into who we are. Jane Austen captures the essence of this concept through this quote, and provides the helpful reminder of how to live our lives and be aware of what transforms us.  

Jane Austen’s pieces of literature serve as a testament to this. For example, Austen’s juvenilia showcases her personality through the active choices she makes as a writer. The sporadic and choppy style, along with the active character choices illustrate much about her personality and identity not only as a writer, but also as a human. The character’s lives and plot also help translate Austen’s thought process and what goes on in her mind. Her act in this case is writing. And her writing serves to reflect her identity, and define who she is, thus proving the validity of her quote from Sense and Sensibility. Although the average human might not illustrate their identity through the act of writing, they do it in other ways on a daily basis, in ways they might not even realize. Therefore, it is essential to consistently check these actions in accordance with what they hope to become in terms of their identity and personality as a human.