The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of Jane Austen

by Jane Austen (1775–1817)

• Free to read
• 52 hours to read
• 271 chapters
• Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"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.

• Love stories, English
• England · Social life and customs