Other British female novelists of Jane Austen's time included Daphne Du Maurier and Elizabeth Bronte.
Jane Austen's novels were written during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Her works mainly reflect the social life of the English gentry at that time, with a focus on the Georgian era and the Regency period.
Most of Jane Austen's novels are set during the late 18th and early 19th centuries in rural England.
One main characteristic was the strict social hierarchy. Social class determined many aspects of people's lives, like marriage prospects as seen in Austen's novels. Another was the importance of propriety and good manners. People were expected to behave in a certain refined way.
Well, in Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', the female name 'Anne' Elliot is important. The story follows her journey in love and her ability to be persuaded or not.
Some of the female names in Jane Austen's novel titles are 'Emma' as in the novel 'Emma'. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' which has 'Elizabeth' Bennett, though it's not directly in the title but she is a central female character.
In Jane Austen novels, female characters are often complex. For example, Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice' is intelligent and independent. She challenges the social norms of her time regarding marriage. Austen's female characters usually have to navigate the restricted social world of the gentry. They are expected to marry well but often have their own ideas about love and relationships.
One important female character is Elinor Dashwood in 'Sense and Sensibility'. She is a paragon of sense, handling family and romantic matters with maturity. Marianne Dashwood is important too, as her journey from passion to a more balanced state is a significant part of the story. Anne Elliot in 'Persuasion' is important as she represents a woman who has to overcome past regrets and find new happiness.
Many of Austen's female characters are witty. Elizabeth Bennet's sharp tongue and quick comebacks are a prime example. They are also perceptive about people, like how they can quickly judge the true nature of a potential suitor.
Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion are often considered among the top Jane Austen novels.