All Of It: Celebrating Jane Austen's 250th Birthday with Jennifer Egan and Helen Fielding

Introduction

In the March 27, 2025 episode of WNYC's "All Of It," host Tiffany Hansen (filling in for Alison Stewart) delves into the enduring legacy of Jane Austen as the literary world celebrates her 250th birthday. Highlighting Austen's significant influence on culture and literature, the episode features Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan and bestselling novelist Helen Fielding. The discussion centers around Austen's timeless works, their personal connections to her novels, and her profound impact on contemporary storytelling.

Personal Encounters with Austen's Work

The conversation begins with Tiffany inviting Jennifer Egan and Helen Fielding to share their first experiences with Jane Austen's novels.

• Jennifer Egan recounts her initial struggle with "Pride and Prejudice" in seventh grade, expressing, "I couldn't stand it. I just thought, what is this? It seemed boring" (02:59). Her maternal bond became the turning point as her mother read the novel to her, igniting Jennifer's fascination: "I was enthralled... the excellent plotting and just true suspense of that novel" (03:56).

• Helen Fielding offers a contrasting yet complementary experience, reading "Pride and Prejudice" at 15. She was captivated by Elizabeth Bennet's independence and wit, describing her as "a sort of role model" (03:57). Helen highlights how the novel felt "magical" and relatable, reinforcing the profound connection between readers and Austen's characters.

Underrated Works: Mansfield Park

Tiffany shifts the focus to Austen's lesser-appreciated works, prompting Helen to discuss "Mansfield Park." Helen reflects on Austen’s disappointment with the reception of this novel, noting that Austen experienced "terrible second album syndrome" after the success of her earlier works like "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice" (05:10). She emphasizes the novel's rich plotting and its influence on her own writing, admitting, "I have stolen the plots from Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion for my first two novels" (05:57).

Austen's Timeless Resonance

Jennifer elaborates on what makes Austen's work resonate across centuries. She praises Austen's "mathematical perfection" in creating suspense and excitement within a constrained environment: "Although there are very few options... she creates an atmosphere of suspense and confusion and excitement with so few materials" (06:40). Jennifer also lauds Austen's character development, stating, "Her characters are fantastic... It’s amazing, you know, her heroines are all very different from each other" (07:04).

Listener Interaction: Ariam Huntington's Story

The episode includes a heartfelt listener call from Ariam Huntington, who shares his lifelong relationship with "Pride and Prejudice." Ariam describes his early admiration for the Laurence Olivier and Greg Garson film adaptation and the transformative experience of reading the book: "By the end of the book, I was crying just because it was over... it's just like going home" (08:27). His story underscores the deep emotional connection readers develop with Austen's narratives.

Austen's Mastery of Marriage and Society

Tiffany steers the conversation towards Austen's intricate portrayal of marriage within the societal context of her time.

• Helen Fielding explains Austen's genius in capturing the complexities of marriage: "Every single heroine of Jane Austen's is a singleton... she's writing really well about women's lot at that time and their lack of choice and power" (10:06). She delves into the economic and social pressures that defined women's lives, highlighting Austen's exploration of the "dichotomy between love and romance."

• Jennifer Egan adds that Austen's books combine "tremendous plotting, great characters, humor" with "surprise and inevitability," creating a compelling narrative balance (07:04). This balance contributes to the "holy grail of fiction," making Austen's work both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.

Language Mastery and Dialogue

The discussion touches on Austen's unparalleled command of the English language and her mastery of dialogue. A listener's text celebrates Austen's "mastery of the English language" and her "tireless effort to find the perfect words for the intricacies of human social interaction" (11:38). Helen and Jennifer echo this sentiment, emphasizing how Austen's linguistic precision and witty dialogue bring her characters to life.

Austen as a Romance Novelist and Feminist Icon

Tiffany poses a thought-provoking question about whether Jane Austen would identify as a romance novelist, given contemporary publishing categories.

• Jennifer Egan acknowledges the term's modern applicability, noting that Austen's work "is full of marriages in which... love can somehow prevail" (13:21). She suggests that Austen might embrace the term, as her novels often balance romantic ideals with practical necessities.

• Helen Fielding discusses Austen's feminist legacy, highlighting her heroines' resilience and agency. She cites Elizabeth Bennet's assertiveness in rejecting Mr. Darcy's initial proposal as an example of Austen's subtle feminist undertones: "That's taking the power that you have and it's dignity and self-respect" (19:40).

Influence on Modern Literature

Helen elaborates on Austen's lasting influence, noting that "Pride and Prejudice" alone has inspired numerous adaptations and derivative works, including playful takes like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (14:33). She argues that Austen's themes extend beyond romance, addressing "human nature, principles, morality, and politics."

Class Critique in Austen's Works

Jennifer and Helen discuss Austen's incisive critique of class dynamics.

• Jennifer Egan points out the "class critique" embedded in Austen's narratives, illustrating how characters' social standings influence their opportunities and relationships: "There are all kinds of ways in which all of us confront the sense that we're sort of structurally excluded" (16:10).

• Helen Fielding admires Austen's ability to depict class without "anger or self-pity or resentment," instead using "a piercing, ironic, observational eye" to explore societal structures (17:45).

Austen's Feminist Legacy

The conversation culminates in exploring why Jane Austen is often hailed as a feminist writer.

• Helen Fielding attributes this to Austen's portrayal of strong, independent heroines who challenge societal norms: "She absolutely believed women were equal in a world in which every sign said that they weren't" (19:40).

• Jennifer Egan concurs, highlighting Austen's refusal to accept women's inferiority and her personal example of perseverance in a male-dominated publishing industry: "She persevered" (21:22).

Conclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Tiffany Hansen reiterates the significance of the 250th birthday celebration, inviting listeners to participate in related events at the 92nd Street Y. She encourages ongoing engagement with Austen's work, emphasizing its relevance and the vibrant community it fosters.

Key Takeaways

• Jane Austen's novels offer timeless insights into love, society, and human nature.
• Her mastery of language and character development continues to inspire contemporary writers.
• Austen's subtle critique of class and portrayal of strong female protagonists contribute to her recognition as a feminist icon.
• The enduring popularity of her works is reflected in numerous adaptations and their influence on modern literature.

Notable Quotes

• Jennifer Egan on Austen's suspense: “She creates an atmosphere of suspense and confusion and excitement with so few materials” (06:40).
• Helen Fielding on Austen's dialogue: “It's like she's writing on a tiny bit of ivory... but you understand so much about the politics of the time” (10:06).
• Jennifer Egan on Austen as a romance novelist: “There was definitely a notion of romance being important... So maybe yes” (13:21).
• Helen Fielding on Austen's feminist legacy: “She absolutely believed women were equal in a world in which every sign said that they weren't” (21:20).

Event Promotion

The episode concludes by promoting the Jane Austen celebration event at the 92nd Street Y, featuring Jennifer Egan and Helen Fielding, with both in-person and virtual tickets available at 92ny.org.