Whether she’s describing bickering families, quiet declarations of love, or juicy gossip, Jane Austen’s writing often feels as though it was written just for you. Her dry wit and cheeky playfulness informs her heroines, whose conversational tone welcomes readers with a conspiratorial wink. It’s even been said that some readers feel like the author’s secret confidante, trading letters with their delightfully wicked friend Jane. But this unique brand of tongue-in-cheek humor is just one of the many feats found in her sly satires of society, civility, and sweeping romance.
Entah itu menggambarkan keluarga yang tengah bercekcok, pernyataan cinta nan lembut, atau gosip panas, tulisan Jane Austen sering kali terasa ditulis seolah-olah hanya untukmu. Leluconnya yang datar dan kejenakaan mengilhami para tokoh utamanya, dengan gaya percakapan yang menyapa pembaca dengan kedipan konspiratif. Beberapa pembaca bahkan merasa bagai wanita kepercayaan sang penulis, saling bertukar surat dengan teman mereka yang cantik dan nakal, Jane. Namun humor sarkastik yang unik ini hanyalah satu dari sekian petualangan yang ada dalam satire nakalnya mengenai masyarakat, sopan-santun, dan percintaan yang memesona.
Written in the early nineteenth century, Austen's novels decode the sheltered lives of the upper classes in rural England. From resentment couched in pleasantries to arguing that masks attraction, her work explores the bewildering collision of emotions and etiquette.
Ditulis di awal abad ke-19, novel Austen menguraikan kehidupan tersembunyi para kelas atas di pedesaan Inggris. Dari dendam yang dibingkai kelakar hingga rasa terpikat tersamar pertengkaran, karyanya menyelami konflik emosi dan etiket yang membingungkan.
But while romance is a common thread in her work, Austen dismissed the sentimental style of writing so popular at the time. Instead of lofty love stories, her characters act naturally, and often awkwardly. They trade pragmatic advice, friendly jokes and not-so-friendly barbs about their arrogant peers. As they grapple with the endless rules of their society, Austen’s characters can usually find humor in all the hypocrisy, propriety, and small talk. As Mr. Bennet jokes to his favorite daughter, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn?”
Walau percintaan menjadi benang merah karya-karyanya, Austen tidak menulis dalam gaya sentimental yang populer kala itu. Alih-alih kisah percintaan luhur, karakter-karakternya bertingkah wajar, bahkan canggung. Mereka bertukar saran praktis, lelucon ramah dan ejekan jahat tentang teman-teman mereka yang arogan. Saat bergulat dengan aturan masyarakat yang tak ada habisnya, karakter Austen mampu menemukan sisi jenaka dalam kemunafikan, kesopanan, dan basa-basi. Ketika Mr. Bennet bergurau dengan putri kesayangannya, "Untuk apa kita hidup, selain mengolok-olok tetangga kita dan menertawakan mereka?"
And though her heroines might ridicule senseless social mores, Austen fully understood the practical importance of maintaining appearances. At the time she was writing, a wealthy marriage was a financial necessity for most young women, and she often explores the tension between the mythical quest for love, and the economic benefits of making a match. The savvy socialite Mary Crawford sums this up in "Mansfield Park;" “I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly: I do not like to have people throw themselves away.”
Walau tokoh utamanya mencemooh adat istiadat sosial, Austen memahami pentingnya menjaga penampilan. Di masa dia menulis, pernikahan demi harta adalah keharusan bagi sebagian besar wanita muda, dia kerap menelusuri tekanan antara pencarian cinta yang menakjubkan, dengan manfaat ekonomi perjodohan. Sosialita cerdas, Mary Crawford, merangkumnya di "Mansfield Park;" "Aku ingin semua orang menikah jika dilakukan semestinya: aku tak suka melihat seseorang menyia-nyiakan dirinya."
Unsurprisingly, these themes were also present in Austen’s personal life. Born in 1775, she lived in the social circles found in her novels. Jane's parents supported her education, and provided space for her to write and publish her work anonymously. But writing was hardly lucrative work. And although she had sparks of chemistry, she never married.
Tidak heran, tema ini juga hadir dalam kehidupan pribadi Austen. Terlahir di tahun 1775, ia hidup dalam lingkaran sosial yang ada dalam novel-novelnya. Orang tua Jane mendukung pendidikannya, dan memberinya ruang untuk menulis dan menerbitkan karyanya tanpa nama. Namun menulis bukan pekerjaan yang menguntungkan. Walau sempat merasakan percintaan, dia tak pernah menikah.
Elements of her circumstances can be found in many of her characters; often intelligent women with witty, pragmatic personalities, and rich inner lives. These headstrong heroines provide an entertaining anchor for their tumultuous romantic narratives. Like the irreverent Elizabeth Bennet of "Pride and Prejudice," whose devotion to her sisters’ love lives blinds her to a clumsy suitor. Or the iron-willed Anne Elliot of "Persuasion," who chooses to remain unmarried after the disappearance of her first love. And Elinor Dashwood, who fiercely protects her family at the cost of her own desires in "Sense and Sensibility." These women all encounter difficult choices about romantic, filial, and financial stability, and they resolve them without sacrificing their values– or their sense of humor.
Penggalan kisah hidupnya bisa ditemui di banyak karakternya; sering kali wanita cerdas dengan kepribadian jenaka dan pragmatis, serta kehidupan batin yang kaya. Para tokoh utama keras kepala ini menyajikan pesona menghibur lewat kisah percintaan mereka yang riuh. Seperti si kasar Elizabeth Bennet di "Pride and Prejudice," yang pengabdian pada saudari-saudarinya mempertemukannya dengan peminang kikuk. Atau si keras kepala Anne Elliot dari "Persuasion," yang memilih membujang setelah cinta pertamanya menghilang. Lalu Elinor Dashwood, yang dengan gigih melindungi keluarga walau mengorbankan hasratnya dalam "Sense and Sensibility." Semua wanita ini menghadapi pilihan sulit tentang cinta, bakti, dan stabilitas keuangan, yang mereka pecahkan tanpa mengorbankan nilai-nilai mereka– atau rasa humor.
Of course, these characters are far from perfect. They often think they have all the answers. And by telling the story from their perspective, Austen tricks the viewer into believing their heroine knows best– only to pull the rug out from under the protagonist and the reader. In "Emma," the titular character feels surrounded by dull neighbors, and friends who can’t hope to match her wit. As her guests prattle on and on about nothing, the reader begins to agree– Emma is the only exciting character in this quiet neighborhood. Yet despite her swelling ego, Emma may not be as in control as she thinks – in life or love. And Austen’s intimate use of perspective makes these revelations doubly surprising, blindsiding both Emma and her audience.
Tentu karakter-karakter ini jauh dari sempurna. Mereka sering berpikir tahu segalanya. Dengan berkisah lewat perspektif mereka, Austen mengelabui pembaca agar percaya si tokoh utama tahu yang terbaik– hanya untuk mengkhianatinya dan pembaca. Dalam "Emma," karakternya yang tituler merasa terkungkung tetangga menjemukan, dan teman-teman yang tak bisa menandingi akalnya. Saat tamu-tamunya terus mengoceh, pembaca mulai setuju– Emma adalah satu-satunya karakter menarik di lingkungan tenang tersebut. Namun meski egonya besar, mungkin Emma tak seteratur seperti yang dia kira – dalam hidup atau cinta. Penggunaan perspektif Austen yang intim membuat pengungkapan ini lebih mengejutkan, mengagetkan Emma dan pembacanya.
But rather than diminishing her host of heroines, these flaws only confirm “the inconsistency of all human characters.” Their complexity has kept Austen prominent on stage and screen, and made her work easily adaptable for modern sensibilities. So hopefully, new readers will continue to find a friend in Ms. Austen for many years to come.
Namun alih-alih melemahkan para tokoh utamanya, kekurangan ini justru menegaskan "inkonsistensi sifat manusia." Kompleksitas mereka menonjolkan Austen baik di panggung atau layar, dan membuat karyanya mudah diadaptasi untuk kepekaan modern. Jadi mudah-mudahan, pembaca baru akan tetap berteman dengan Ms. Austen untuk waktu yang lama.