On 18th July, 1817, Jane Austen died in the arms of her sister Cassandra. “I have lost such a treasure”, Cassandra wrote of her loss, “such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed.” Cassandra had lost sister and friend, but the world had lost its greatest novelist – far, far too early! 2017 marks the anniversary of the death of Jane Austen. All over the world, people are marking the occasion and celebrating the talent and genius of Jane Austen. Exhibitions, talks, performances, discussions, church services are all being planned in order to commemorate Jane Austen and her legacy.
The Jane Austen Society of Australia is a member-based association founded in 1989 to bring together lovers and admirers of Jane Austen in this part of the world. We number academics and scholars amongst our members, but we are mostly enthusiastic amateurs who meet to discuss the genius of Austen and to explore the era that gave rise to her.
Although based in Sydney, we have members in all states of Australia and overseas, and we warmly welcome visitors to our events.
We produce regular publications, have a member’s library, and sell Austen-inspired items through our Regency Fair stall at meetings.
Find out more about becoming a member of JASA, or read the latest updates from JASA’s Facebook page here.
Our next meeting will be held on Saturday 21st April when Penny Nash will present, “Jane Austen and Medieval Women: What on earth do they have in common”?
Not much appears to be in common between women who lived 200 years ago and those who lived 800 years before them. Fashions, lifestyles, careers, belief systems and marriage customs, among other things, changed. However, what was a common. deep concern was the management of possessions, especially land, the source of wealth and the means to stability. This talk reveals the remarkably similar worries about property that plagued Jane Austen, her female characters and medieval women.
For more information on Penny’s research interests, please see
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/medieval/about/staff/penelope_nash.shtml
Penny will have copies of her book for sale at the talk.
Our meetings always include interesting speakers and provide a wonderful way of getting to know more about Jane Austen, as well as a social setting to meet fellow JASA members, explore our extensive library and purchase a variety of items from Regency Fair. If you haven’t attended before or for some time, please consider coming along on Saturday.
