The Burning Truth: Jane Austen’s Sister’s Controversial Act

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The burning of Jane Austen’s letters by her sister, Cassandra, has been called a “literary mystery” and sparked much discussion. In the upcoming BBC series Miss Austen, which airs in the U.S. on PBS in May, the story is presented from a perspective of sisterhood and love between sisters. Keeley Hawes, who plays Cassandra Austen in the show, believes that her character acted nobly, whether right or wrong. Many Austen fans consider this act as cultural vandalism, but Hawes thinks Cassandra had remarkable foresight, as she couldn’t have known about our current world where everyone is eager to know others’ innermost thoughts at every moment.

The actress remarked: “It’s beyond belief that she could have been aware. To connect it to Jane Austen’s work, protect her legacy so thoughtfully, I believe it was the most loving gesture.

The show features a stellar British cast, including Jessica Hynes known for her roles in “Life After Life” and “Years and Years”, Rose Leslie who has appeared in “The Good Fight”, “Downton Abbey”, “Death on the Nile”, and “Vigil”, Phyllis Logan of “Downton Abbey” and “Shetland” fame, and Alfred Enoch recognized for his work in “How to Get Away with Murder” and “Foundation”.

Andrea Gibb (author of “Elizabeth Is Missing” and “Mayflies”), adapting the series for television from Gill Hornby’s critically acclaimed novel of the same title, shared a similar perspective as Hawes. “Gill dissects the story and presents a theory, giving us a glimpse into Cassandra’s mind,” she said. “This allows us to empathize with a sister who has been unfairly judged by history. The possibility to rehabilitate her image in some way is a captivating idea for writers.

Director Aisling Walsh (known for ‘Maudie’ and ‘Elizabeth Is Missing’) likewise weighed in on this discussion. “I believe it’s about love,” she stated. “People don’t require knowledge about the private, intimate aspects of their relationship as sisters. What they should understand is how incredibly talented Jane was as a writer.” Walsh then added: “For me, there’s no question – it’s absolute loyalty.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share that this game we’re involved with isn’t just entertainment; it’s a powerful narrative about feminism. It’s one of the reasons why I find myself surrounded by such amazing women on this stage. We believe that this story is all about empowering women, and that’s exactly what we aim to do. It’s a feminist statement, and we take pride in it.

Gibb also emphasized that Jane and Cassandra Austen “were creating a life unconventional for their era,” as he pointed out: “Women lacked ownership rights to property. If they remained single, what was their recourse? They were reliant on their husbands, brothers, or fathers.” Thus, these two extraordinary women “notably defied expectations… during that period and within that society.”

Gibb underscored the fact that Jane and Cassandra Austen “were living lives uncommon for their time,” as he remarked: “Women in those days had no legal claim to property. If they didn’t marry, what options did they have? They were dependent on their husbands, brothers, or fathers.” Consequently, these two exceptional women “stood out… during that era and within that society.

The author made clear their characters’ distinct methods in the series: “Jane is driven by an intense desire and fascination to write, pouring herself into her narratives. Cassandra, on the other hand, supports her wholeheartedly, becoming her ally.” And, it can be said that they embody strong feminist ideals.

In essence, Gibb summarized those times as “women being excluded from men’s presence unless given permission to participate, which is a key point we emphasized and advocated for feminism.

As a gamer, I’d say: “While working on ‘Miss Austen’, I noticed how our team was a mix of both men and women, but it was the ladies who really made their presence felt. Even in today’s world, there are still corners where women find it challenging to make their way, especially when it comes to being heard or earning as much. It’s an ongoing struggle, one that Austen’s work highlights beautifully by showing the rules clearly and the inequalities starkly.

Langan commented, “This inequality attracted numerous exceptionally talented female artists, both on and off-screen, as it provided them a liberated platform to explore the complexities of self-doubt in women revisiting their past choices.”

Langan pointed out that this inequality enticed many brilliant female filmmakers and actresses because it offered them an open space to delve into the intricate struggles of women grappling with doubts about their life choices.

This year signifies the 250th birthday anniversary of Jane Austen, and starting this coming Sunday, you can watch “Miss Austen” on BBC One in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the show will make its debut on Masterpiece on PBS on Sunday, May 4th.

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2025-02-02 17:25