Discovering Jane Austen when you are young is a
particular pleasure. Not only can you delight in the stories and the
characters, but you are also guided by the author’s voice as to exactly what to
make of them.
When I first read the novels, I shared Austen's
scornful attitude to the snobbishness and vulgarity of Mrs Elton in Emma. I
winced at Emma's self-delusion. I derided the vain Sir Walter in Persuasion. I
rooted for the meek and overlooked Fanny in Mansfield Park.
And how I mocked Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice for
her limited intelligence and lack of judgement. As for Charlotte Lucas in the
same novel – I shared Elizabeth's opinion of her. How could she marry such man
as Mr Collins?
Really, I thought, with the certainty of youth,
Charlotte is letting down women everywhere. She sacrifices self-respect for the
sake of a comfortable home, I thought, with the smugness of one who had yet to
fend for herself in the world.
