Jane Austen for Boys: 7 Topics to Inspire Their Reading

Is your boy uninterested in letter writing or the finer points of Regency dress?  But you'd like him to read one of Jane Austen's classics?  Here's a list of seven topics he can look into and watch for within her books that have nothing to do with clothes, hairstyles, or romantic attachments.

1. Sport - hunting, riding, dog breeding, fishing.  What did it entail?  Who participated or was expected to participate (or not)?  Were they leisure activities or necessary?  What was the attitude about those who did so and is it different from today? 
2. Architecture - What was the prevailing style and why?  Although I'm fairly sure Jane Austen mentions only the architect Bonomi in Sense and Sensibility, John Nash and the Adams brothers were important and admired architects at the time.  What did they design and in what style?  What was the predominant architecture of Bath?
3. Occupations - What did the clergy, the Royal Navy, or running an estate require for education?  What were the prospects of advancement?  What type of lifestyle did they entail?
4. Politics -  Who were Britain's enemies and allies at the time and how does Jane Austen comment on these within her writing? 
5. Transportation - about 12 types of conveyances are mentioned in the Austen novels.  What are curricles? phaetons? or a chaise and four?  When were each used?  Which rank was each a mark of?  How important to families were they and why?
6. Inventions - Who was Count Rumford and what improvement did he devise that is found in Northanger Abbey?  Who benefited by the newest inventions in the Georgian period?  What was the attitude about them?  What did they replace?
7. Landscape design - Humphrey Repton is said to have introduced the term "landscape gardening" and Austen mentions him by name in Mansfield Park.  What were his Red Books?  Could be a good project to produce one for your own home.

So, give your guy Pride and Prejudice and place Jane Austen: A Companion or Jane Austen for Dummies for reference by his side.  Who knows?  He just might find insight into his sister's and mom's fascination with Jane Austen and her world.  He may even become fascinated himself.  While I'm waiting for that to happen with my own sons, I'll continue my quest to connect the threads of education for gifted kids at home and pass them on to you.  Just as soon as I finish Emma one more time...

Comments

[Robin]

Molly,

Thats great! I always believed Jane Austen wasnt just for girls. Its such a good exercise, too, to watch the movie versions after reading the books. Besides learning to discern peoples (producers, actors, etc.) slant, its fun.

Thanks for commenting!

Robin