Woman's Hour

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Why is Jane Austen still so relevant to women today?

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Dec 16, 2025

Jill Hornby, author and UK Jane Austen Society president, Dr. Zoe McGee, academic and author focused on consent in classic literature, and comedian Rachel Parris discuss the enduring relevance of Austen for women today. They explore Austen's personal experiences with marriage, the role of female households, and the social context of Regency England. The guests reveal how Austen's spin-off characters inspire new stories and adaptations, showcasing her rich legacy and universal themes that continue to resonate across cultures.

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INSIGHT

Austen's Enduring Global Relevance

Jane Austen explores love, marriage, class and money with sharp humour and social commentary.
Her themes resonate globally and still feel relevant to women's lives today.

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ANECDOTE

Schoolteacher Sparked A Lifetime Of Austen

Jill Hornby credits a passionate schoolteacher with converting her to Jane Austen through Mansfield Park.
That early enthusiasm shaped her lifelong engagement and leadership in the Jane Austen Society.

insights

INSIGHT

Marriage Shifted Legal Identity And Consent

Marriage in Austen's era legally transferred a woman's sexual consent, legal identity and financial control to her husband.
That makes Austen's focus on marriage choices and consent legally and socially consequential.

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Why Austen still matters to women

00:38 • 2min

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Guests and personal Austen beginnings

02:16 • 35sec

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Austen's family influence and creativity

02:51 • 1min

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Regency England: context for Austen

04:20 • 3min

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Women’s legal and social position

07:21 • 3min

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Why Jane Austen never married

10:35 • 2min

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Spinster clusters and female households

13:00 • 37sec

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Listeners' Austen memories

13:37 • 3min

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Austen novels: chronology and themes

16:07 • 3min

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Publishing anonymously and early reception

19:11 • 1min

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Marriage, proposals and consent in fiction

20:15 • 5min

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Austen's evolving legacy

Expanding Austen: spin-offs and perspectives

28:32 • 6min

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Reimagining Mr Collins and marriage realities

34:50 • 5min

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Austen as a multiverse of characters

39:34 • 4min

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Global Austen: Pakistan and Japan

43:29 • 7min

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Why Austen resonates across cultures

50:12 • 4min

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Which Austen to read first

54:24 • 2min

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Listeners' anecdotes and closing thoughts

The Other Bennett Sister

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Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story that satirizes the Gothic novels of the late 18th century. The novel follows Catherine Morland, a young and naive girl who loves reading Gothic novels. When she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, the home of the Tilney family, her imagination runs wild with expectations of mystery and horror. However, the reality of the abbey is far from her Gothic fantasies. The novel explores Catherine's growth as she learns to distinguish between fiction and reality, and it critiques the societal norms and expectations of her time. Written by Jane Austen, the book was completed in 1803 but published posthumously in 1817 along with Persuasion.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Introducing Mrs Collins

Rachel Parris

Introducing Mrs Collins is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, exploring the life of Charlotte Lucas after she marries Mr. Collins. The story begins at the point where Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins' proposal and follows her journey beyond the original novel. It delves into themes of duty, routine, and unexpected change when an unexpected visitor arrives at Rosings Park.

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• Mentioned in 39 episodes

Emma

Jane Austen

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The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress. Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley. Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance. The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes.

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• Mentioned in 38 episodes

Persuasion

Jane Austen

Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel. The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections. Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage. The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death. The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak. Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby. Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.

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• Mentioned in 28 episodes

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen

monica arcija

The novel follows Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park. Fanny navigates the complexities of her new environment, dealing with the mistreatment by some family members and the kindness of her cousin Edmund. The story unfolds with the arrival of the charming but morally dubious Crawfords, leading to a series of scandals and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, Fanny's integrity and compassion guide her through the challenges, and she finds love and a sense of belonging with Edmund.

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• Mentioned in 67 episodes

Jane Eyre

Edmund Morrison Wimperis

Edmund H. Garrett

Jant van der Weg-Laverman

Charlotte Brontë

The novel follows Jane Eyre from her childhood at Gateshead Hall, where she is mistreated by her aunt and cousins, to her education at Lowood School, and later her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she falls in love with her enigmatic employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester, but discovers a dark secret about his past that forces her to make a difficult choice. The novel explores themes of love, independence, and social justice, and is known for its realistic portrayal of the inner life of a woman during the Victorian era.

• Mentioned in 212 episodes

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.

Woman’s Hour celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Nuala McGovern delves into the world that Jane was born into in 1775 to explore why her writing has such a following around the world and still feels so relevant to women today. She is joined by the author Gill Hornby, President of the UK Jane Austen Society, and by Dr Zoe McGee whose book Courting Disaster explores the issue of consent in Regency literature, to discuss the life, the novels and the extraordinary characters that have made Jane such an enduring figure.

They are joined by Rachel Parris whose new novel Introducing Mrs Collins extends the story of Charlotte Lucas, the character in Pride and Prejudice who does what Lizzie Bennet simply couldn't do and accepts the marriage proposal Mr Collins. As well as being an author, Rachel is a comedian, actor and presenter, not to mention a founding member of Austentatious, a hugely successful live show which improvises a new Jane Austen novel in every performance.

Jane Austen’s novels have been translated into almost every major language and there are societies of Austen lovers and scholars in every corner of the globe, from Australia to Argentina and Iran to Italy. Joining us to tell us why Austen still captivates readers in their parts of the world are Laaleen Sukhera, founder of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan and the founding member of the Austen Society of Japan and researcher at the University of Southampton, Dr. Hatsuyo Shimazaki.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Laura Northedge

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