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HelpRe: Jane Austen, her parents, and siblings
in reply to a message by DewdropsOnRoses
I wonder why they decided to give some of their children middle names and not others. When Jane is compared to Cassandra Elizabeth, it feels like she got shortchanged. Did they think she would die in infancy or something and wanted to save on letters for the gravestone? It is a morbid thought, but the lack of middle name seems so random.
I know that a lot of the same names were used during the 1800s, but it is interesting that she not only gave some characters in her novels her own name but she also used her siblings' names.
James Morland is the older brother of the protagonist in "Mansfield Park"
George Knightley marries the titular character in "Emma"
Edward marries Elinor Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility"
Henry Tilney is the leading man in "Northanger Abbey." Henry is used for multiple characters though.
Charles Bingley in "Pride and Prejudice"
I'm drawing a blank on characters named Francis though.
I know that a lot of the same names were used during the 1800s, but it is interesting that she not only gave some characters in her novels her own name but she also used her siblings' names.
James Morland is the older brother of the protagonist in "Mansfield Park"
George Knightley marries the titular character in "Emma"
Edward marries Elinor Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility"
Henry Tilney is the leading man in "Northanger Abbey." Henry is used for multiple characters though.
Charles Bingley in "Pride and Prejudice"
I'm drawing a blank on characters named Francis though.
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I mean, knowing the mortality rate of time, it is possible that they thought she would die in infancy. Maybe she and the others with only one name were sickly when they were infants, whereas Henry, Cassandra, Francis, and Charles were healthier?
And yes, it is interesting to see how names of her family and acquaintances popped up in her novels.
And yes, it is interesting to see how names of her family and acquaintances popped up in her novels.
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There was Frank Churchill and also a bunch of Frances characters. I think she used all the names multiple times except Cassandra (and Francis if you don't count Frank or Frances).
This message was edited 5/11/2022, 7:58 PM
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