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‘The truth is she did the right thing’: The mystery of why Jane Austen’s letters were destroyed – by her own sister

Jane Austen, renowned for her insightful portrayals of English society in the 1800s, wrote extensively to friends and family during her lifetime. Unfortunately, merely around 160 of these letters remain today. The scarcity of her correspondence is primarily attributed to her older sister, Cassandra Austen, who, following Jane’s passing, chose to burn a considerable number of their exchanged letters. This decision has sparked interest among researchers and fans alike, leading to debates about Cassandra’s reasons and the historical insights that were possibly lost.

Jane Austen, celebrated for her keen observations of 19th-century English society, maintained a prolific correspondence throughout her life. However, only about 160 of her letters have survived to the present day. This limited collection is largely due to the actions of her elder sister, Cassandra Austen, who destroyed a significant portion of their correspondence after Jane’s death. This act has long intrigued scholars and admirers, prompting discussions about Cassandra’s motivations and the potential insights lost to history.

The Close Bond Between Sisters

Cassandra’s Choice to Eliminate the Letters

After Jane’s passing in 1817, Cassandra undertook the task of examining their voluminous correspondence. She methodically destroyed numerous letters and altered others, excising portions she considered sensitive. This intentional editing has sparked discussion among historians. Some consider it an act of literary destruction, denying future generations important insights into Jane’s private life and creative methods. Others see it as a protective act, intended to maintain her sister’s privacy and safeguard family members from possibly less favorable depictions.

In the years following Jane’s death in 1817, Cassandra took it upon herself to review their extensive correspondence. She systematically burned a large number of letters and edited others, removing sections she deemed sensitive. This deliberate curation has been a subject of debate among historians. Some view it as an act of literary vandalism, depriving posterity of valuable insights into Jane’s personal life and creative process. Others interpret it as a protective gesture, aimed at preserving her sister’s privacy and shielding family members from potentially unflattering portrayals.

Possible Motivations Behind the Destruction

  1. Salvaguardar la Reputación de Jane: Durante el siglo XIX, las normas sociales valorizaban mucho la privacidad personal y la corrección. Las cartas de Jane, conocidas por su franqueza y a veces agudo ingenio, podían haber tenido comentarios que se malinterpretaran o consideraran inadecuados. Al destruirlas, Cassandra pudo haber querido mantener la imagen de su hermana como una mujer respetable y amable.
  2. Mantener la Privacidad Familiar: La familia Austen, como cualquier otra, tenía sus asuntos personales y dinámicas internas. Las cartas probablemente incluían menciones a problemas familiares, opiniones sobre conocidos y otros detalles íntimos. Cassandra pudo haber querido evitar cualquier posible vergüenza o malentendidos que pudieran surgir de un escrutinio público.
  3. Duelo Personal y Catarsis: La pérdida de Jane fue un golpe profundo para Cassandra. Llevar a cabo la destrucción de las cartas pudo haber sido una forma de procesar su dolor, permitiéndole dejar atrás el pasado y encontrar cierre.

Repercusiones en el Estudio Literario

La eliminación de estas cartas ha dejado, sin duda, vacíos en el registro histórico. Biógrafos y estudiosos de la literatura a menudo han lamentado esta pérdida, especulando sobre las posibles revelaciones sobre el desarrollo de los personajes de Jane Austen, sus fuentes de inspiración y sus relaciones personales que se desvanecieron para siempre. Las cartas que aún existen brindan vislumbres invaluables de su mundo, pero la amplitud completa de sus pensamientos y experiencias sigue siendo desconocida.

The destruction of these letters has undeniably left gaps in the historical record. Biographers and literary scholars have often lamented the loss, speculating on the potential insights into Jane Austen’s character development, narrative inspirations, and personal relationships that were irrevocably erased. The surviving letters offer invaluable glimpses into her world, but the full breadth of her thoughts and experiences remains obscured.

Reevaluating Cassandra’s Legacy

In recent years, there has been a shift towards a more empathetic understanding of Cassandra’s actions. Rather than viewing her solely as the executor of a significant literary loss, some scholars and writers have portrayed her as a devoted sister who played a crucial role in Jane’s life and legacy. For instance, contemporary novelist Gill Hornby explored Cassandra’s perspective in her work, shedding light on the complexities of her character and the possible reasons behind her decisions.

By Rosena Jones

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