Jane Austen Characters as Modern-Day Musicians: Pink, Kesha, and Alicia Keys

I have recently started learning how to play the bass guitar. It is giving me a whole new sense of appreciation for music, and I have begun to listen to music and view musicians in an entirely new light.


So, as most things make me think of Jane Austen, this made me think about her novels differently. What current musicians and music would best illustrate these characters?

I immediately think of Pink for Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennett. Pink is full of spunk, witty lyrics, and imaginative song rhythms. Plus, just like Elizabeth, she is a longtime favorite and has great staying power. Her beautiful and introverted older sister Jane? Nora Jones—her songs are lovely and engaging melodies that entice your attention but soon fade into the distance. Her foolish younger sister Lydia? A young Britney Spears—all show and no talent, full of vamping and immature sex appeal.

Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility? Kesha all the way. A little bit ridiculous and brash, but a lot of fun with her catchy singsong voice and techno attention-getting beats. Marianne’s sister Elinor makes me think of Adele—much more somber and mature in her song choices, but with an elegant and controlled voice that soothes.

Hmm...Emma’s Emma Woodhouse… I would have to say Taylor Swift. A little immature and focused primarily on relationships, but overall, imaginative in the musical rifts and rhythms and a consistent squeaky-clean favorite of the musical world.

And my favorite, Anne Elliot of Persuasion? That would have to be Alicia Keys—the subtle use of her voice and melodies, the importance of the piano, the inherent romanticism in her lyrics, all set in major keys of hope and optimism.


I’ll have to think a little more on the male characters in Jane Austen’s novels. I am thinking they are more Classic Rock musicians, with a little Bruno Mars, Psy, and Adam Levine thrown in.

How It Should Have Ended: Emma with Frank and Elizabeth a spinster aunt?

My niece recently showed me the YouTube link to a series of creative and funny changes to the endings of movies, called “How It Should Have Ended.” They made me laugh, until I started to think about Jane Austen. What if her books had ended differently?

EMMA
Emma could have easily missed her opportunity with Mr. Knightley, slowly evolving into a wealthy version of the incessant Miss Bates. Or why couldn’t Emma have been a good match with Frank Churchill? He made her laugh and act her age; they could have gone on double dates with Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
God forbid if Elizabeth Bennett had been forced into marriage with Mr. Collins in order to beat the entail. Hard as I try, though, I just can’t imagine her winding up with him, or even Wickham, or ever deferring to Lady de Bourgh. Maybe she would have enjoyed the freedom of living with Jane and Mr. Bingley, being the lovable spinster aunt to their children and continuing to use her sharp wit in society.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
Elinor Dashwood could have fallen in love with the similarly-minded Colonel Brandon and missed all of that heartache with Lucy and Edward. Actually, why not really shake things up and let her mother Mrs. Dashwood find love again with Colonel Brandon? And why not let Marianne run off to London to enjoy a bohemian life of romance, balls, literature and music? She could have become the 19th century version of Anais Nin or Frida Kahlo.

PERSUASION
An alternative ending to Persuasion is easy—a marriage between the young Anne Elliott and the newly enlisted Frederick Wentworth that is welcomed and approved by Sir Walter and Lady Russell. Although I guess that would be way too easy. Maybe Anne Elliott could go through some psychotherapy to find a way to stand up to her oafish father and self-infatuated sisters, and then she could write about her experiences and becomes a famous and rich author.

Although it is fun to imagine alternative endings, it makes me appreciate all the more the artistry and talent of Jane Austen. She has created engaging and beloved characters and timeless plots that endure to this day.

Who is your favorite Jane Austen character?

I get funny looks when I defensively respond to the friendly question of “who is your favorite Jane Austen character?”

Most people assume I love the intelligent, witty Elizabeth Bennet, who stands up for herself, acts with strength and reason, and refuses to give in to societal norms (Pride and Prejudice).

Others think of the fun-loving, passionate Marianne Dashwood, who lives on poetry and music, hurtling whole-heartedly into life heedless of the consequences. Or her counterpart, the calm, rational, loving Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility).

Even Emma Woodhouse, with her misguided acts of charity and interfering notions of friendship, may come up. For all of her wealth and status, Emma still strives to improve herself and help those around her (Emma).

And for those in the Jane Austen know, occasionally the young, dramatic Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey) or the ethical Fanny Price (Mansfield Park) may cross some lips.

And indeed I do love all of these characters!

But my heart will always be with sweet, kind, patient Anne Elliot (Persuasion). Anne doesn’t get the exciting lines, the dramatic dance moves, or the multiple love interests. In fact, in today’s Hollywood, she would be considered a B movie actress. But oh how she would stand out in those B movies!

Anne has a quiet power and strength of character that grows from a bare glimmer to a shining star. We peek into her past to learn of her struggles to find herself and the dire consequences of having listened to others instead of herself. And we walk with her as she is underappreciated and misunderstood yet stays true to herself. And we cheer her on as she finds her voice and her will and refuses to give in to the vanities of her family, the false claims of her friends, and the influence of societal standards. Best of all, we celebrate with her when, in the end, she gets all that she deserves.

So I answer defensively to the question “who is your favorite Jane Austen character?” because most people display a blank face when I respond. Just as in the book, Anne is underappreciated. But I know better.

How about you? Who is your favorite Jane Austen character?

Take a hike!: Exercise and entertainment in Jane Austen’s world

For all the strictures and constraints in Jane Austen’s 19th century England, there are some surprisingly good stress management techniques. The characters are constantly visiting friends, drinking tea, playing card games, listening to piano music, dancing at balls, and taking hikes. No stressed-out, email-checking, can’t-go-anywhere-without-my-calendar people here!

Taking hikes, in particular, seems to accomplish a vast multitude of benefits: exercise, meditation, socialization, entertainment. Not to mention that it is a great way to find potential suitors!

After walking 3 miles to visit her ill sister, Elizabeth Bennett gets noticed (negatively) by the snarky Miss Bingley and (positively) by the enigmatic Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice). Marianne Dashwood stumbles in the rain and badly twists her ankle during a walk, only to be rescued by the gallant Mr. Willoughby who literally sweeps her off her feet (Sense and Sensibility). Anne Elliott’s quick thinking and deftness in helping her friend Louisa after a dangerous fall during a walk in Lyme regains her the regard of the noble Captain Wentworth (Persuasion).

And even if romance is not for you, taking a hike can improve the looks:
“She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild” (about Elizabeth Bennett, in Pride and Prejudice, p. 35).

And soothe the mind:
“Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn… (Anne Elliott, in Persuasion, p. 84).

And forget TV! Walking can provide endless entertainment with friends and family:
“When the weather is settled, and I have recovered my strength,” said she, “we will take long walks together every day. We will walk to the far a t the edge of the down, and see how the children go on; we will walk to Sir John’s new plantations at Barton-Cross, and the Abbeyland; and we will often go to the old ruins of the Priory…” (Marianne Dashwood, in Sense and Sensibility, p. 343).

Almost makes me want to throw my TV out the window and take a walk right now! Who’s in with me?