250 (& More) Reasons We Love Jane Austen
Born on December 16, 1775, Jane Austen turns 250 this year. Help us celebrate!
Everyone has their own reason for adoring Jane Austen, and we would all love to hear yours. Whether it's as simple as "Mrs. Bennet's nerves," a favorite witty line, or a heartfelt toast, we're gathering a joyful collection of 250—and more!—reasons you, her readers and fans, appreciate her. Join us in celebrating the incomparable Jane!
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Laurie V. Rigler Nov 26, 2025, 8:01 AM (28 days ago)
I will never forget the time I was on a plane that was descending in preparation for landing, and a calm voice from the cockpit announced there were issues with the landing gear—it wasn't fully deploying—and things might get a bit bumpy. I could feel the tension among the other passengers and, not being the bravest of fliers, I was frightened. Determining not to panic, I said a prayer and then dove back into the copy of Emma in my hands, the one I'd been re-reading for the umpteenth time. And I let Austen's words, her humor, her compassion, her wisdom, soothe me.
The landing gear did, thankfully, deploy fully, and we made smooth contact with the tarmac. It was only when I was deplaning that one of the passengers, who was an airline employee, told me just how serious a situation this could have been if the landing gear hadn't deployed. As in fire-trucks-standing-by-on-the-tarmac serious. I was grateful I didn't know that when we were still in the air, and even more grateful that I had Jane Austen with me to keep me calm. Austen's six novels have always elevated, comforted, reassured, and inspired me. They have always given me permission to let go of my fears; to restore my faith in love, in humanity, and in my capacity to be a better person. She reminds me to reflect. To contemplate. To laugh. Often at myself. Most of all, Austen is an essential dose of "All will be well." Because all will be well, even if sometimes it doesn't look that way right now.
Cinta García Nov 25, 2025, 2:59 AM (30 days ago)
I love Jane Austen because she is everything nice and comforting that welcomes you when you need a hug in literary form. Her irony, her humor, the way she constructed those characters... I mean, what's not to love about Jane Austen? I just find her books uplifting and highly entertaining. Every single book is able to provoke a certain emotion in me and for that I cannot thank Jane Austen enough.
Laylah Bingham Nov 24, 2025, 12:05 PM (30 days ago)
I love Jane Austen because of how she really understood people and different situations through each of her books. In each of her books it shows you real emotions and mistakes we have all made but she captures it all in a humorous, creative and honest way which is something I love. I love how she creates this lesson that women don't have to follow all of the social norms, I feel like its inspiring to all women and teaches them to be there true authentic self.
Ella Michelle Hensley Nov 24, 2025, 11:07 AM (30 days ago)
Jane Austen’s work continues to illuminate the complexities of human relationships with wit, grace, and emotional truth, and I have always especially admired the evolving movements between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy — a magnetic pull between their souls that was truly profound to read. Her writing reminds us that literature can be both sharply observant and deeply compassionate, offering emotional resonance that lasts long after the final page.
Emma Gainey Nov 24, 2025, 8:55 AM (30 days ago)
I love the manner in which Austen portrays women in a three-dimensional way. All of her heroines are unique in their own way, and she is unafraid of creating unlikable female characters, as well as ones who we still adore today. What a strong woman, inspiring authors for generations, and generations yet to come.
james casselman Nov 23, 2025, 12:59 PM (31 days ago)
I love Jane Austen’s work because of her ability to use clever satire and wit to comment on relationships and marriage as well as how women perceive these two aspects and how their innocence or naivety can impact their perception of romance and marriage.
Lily Spooner Nov 23, 2025, 9:40 AM (31 days ago)
Jane Austen continues to stay relevant and important still today because her novels show how women can be extremely intelligent, independent, and emotionally aware even when society tries to limit them and their choices, proving that their thoughts and feelings have always mattered.
Jocelynn Nov 22, 2025, 10:32 PM (32 days ago)
After taking a Jane Austen Course at my College, I have discovered some reasons why she is both special and important to society. In addition to what makes her special and important, these reasons are also why I love her work. Austen is a talented author who writes complex characters that often depict opposing themes and beliefs. In "Sense and Sensibility" Austen's character, Marianne is depicted to have Sensibility in which there is a bit too much of. She is often depicted to consistently display Romanticism through her beliefs about love and how highly she considers poetry. However, unlike Marianne, Austen's character, "Elinor," is depicted to have a little bit too much of "sense." Often throughout the novel, Elinor is more reserved in concerns of love, and often relies on social convention and responsibility instead of relying on her heart. In the end of the novel both characters do get their "happy" ending, however, while their journey to do so thought them that both needed to be have a little less sense and sensibility and a little more of what the other has. Instead of relying fully on social norms and responsibility, Elinor learned that it is ok to have a bit more sensibility than she originally had while Marianne learned that while having sensibility may be a greater quality, she needed a bit more sense and that it was ok. Finally, it is through her characters, that Austen depicted social norms that were a part of her time, which is important to our society as it allows us to understand why she wrote what she did along with what has changed between now and then. For instance, through Darcy's dialogue in the novel, "Pride and Prejudice," Austen depict women's reliance on men and need for marriage to have a suitable life through the statement, " it must very materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any consideration in the world" (Austen, "Pride and Prejudice" Chapter XI). With this statement, it is implied that women at the time relied on men for social status, economic security, and more. However, in today's time, women rely less on men for this as they are now able to make a considerable income, and gain a high status in our society on their own through a variety of means. Due to this, a notifiable change in our society's values and norms has taken place.
Joan Kie Nov 22, 2025, 2:09 PM (32 days ago)
I'm a Big fan of Jane Austen's work and the look it gives us into her time (not that long ago in the grand scheme of things!) and just how different the customs and expectations were (especially of women!). I think it's really impressive that she wrote all these stories so long ago, and I still find myself getting sucked into her romance schemes and dramatic plotlines over 200+ years later!
Orianna Cotten Nov 22, 2025, 6:19 AM (33 days ago)
Austen's literary mastery throughout her novels has gathered her many individuals who remain in awe of her work even after centuries have passed since their publications. One quote that seems to perfectly showcase this mastery is in the eighteenth chapter of volume three of her novel Emma (1815) spoken by Emma Woodhouse herself; "Oh! I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other..." This quote perfectly describes Emma's character to the readers and makes her readers chuckle looking back on everything they know about Emma.
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