Exploring Jane Austen's House

The L6 A Level English Literature students have been studying Jane Austen’s sixth and final novel, Persuasion, this term as part of the ‘Love Through the Ages’ examination.

The purpose of the trip was to enhance students’ knowledge of the text and provide valuable contextual background on Austen’s life and works. This is the first time the Sixth Form have visited the museum, but the English department hope this will become an annual trip.

There was an exciting programme of activities on the day. Chawton cottage, where the museum is based, is the house where Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life; students were first taken on a guided tour and given a chance to handle various objects of interest connected with the author’s life. The highly knowledgeable museum staff also spoke about the novel Persuasion, which was penned in this very house, exploring it within the historical context of Regency England. Finally, there was a fantastic session on Austen’s letters, which have been the subject of long standing interest among literary scholars

The students were highly inquisitive and engaged, asking a range of interesting and intelligent questions, which the museum staff were more than happy to answer. Highlights of the tour of the house were Jane Austen’s writing desk (where all the magic happened; the girls were surprised to find that it was so small!) and the ‘Admiral’s Room’ which contains objects related to the Navy (two of Austen’s brother’s were Navy officers).