First Jane Austen Day
October 28, 2000

Following registration and coffee, we began the day's program with two very interesting and very entertaining presentations on the moral and psychological aspects of Austen's characters.

The Doctor is In; or, How Jane Austen's Fictional Lovers Grow from Boys to Men
Keynote speaker Joan Klingel Ray, president of the JASNA and chairperson of the English Department at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, contends that Austen's great insight into human nature predates modern psychologists in the study of moral development.

Her presentation was a fascinating look at the moral development of the male "lovers" in Austen's novels - and the possible parallels with Austen's own moral development as she grew from girl to woman. All of Austen's fictional lovers were examined to determine where they rank on the scale of "moral evolution." Some conclusions were a bit surprising - but fitting.

We were particularly honored to have Professor Ray address our group in her first official visit to a JASNA Region as the new president of the Jane Austen Society of North America. We wish her the best in her two-year term!

Emma in Love: He Says, She Says
Is a couple more likely to be successful if both parties have the same personality traits? Or, do differences in personality promote a healthier relationship? What did Jane Austen think about this issue?

In a unique and entertaining debate, Devoney Looser and George Justice presented their views on the subject with an analysis of the personality types of the primary and secondary couples in the novel Emma. Devoney Looser is a visiting assistant professor of English at Arizona State University, editor of Jane Austen and Discourses of Feminism and author of British Women's Writing and the Writing of History, 1670-1820 (Johns Hopkins University Press). George Justice is assistant professor of English at Marquette University, and is currently on leave and living in Tempe, Arizona. His book The Manufacturers of Literature: Writing and the Literary Marketplace in Eighteenth-Century England will be published this year by the University of Delaware Press.

"You Who Love Me, Follow!" An Exploration of Jane Austen's Work
Following lunch, Gene Koppel, a founding member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and retired professor of Eighteenth Century Literature at the University of Arizona, used Joan of Arc's rallying cry as a springboard to explore the question of why Austen inspires such dedication and passion among so many different audiences, turning to passages from her works to illustrate his answers. Professor Koppel has published numerous articles, co-edited several books, and wrote The Religious Dimension of Jane Austen's Novels. He has been a member of JASNA since its inception, serving on the original board of directors and as co-editor of JASNA's annual journal Persuasions for ten years.

"Janne on Jane"
Janne Irvine, accomplished Tucson pianist and music instructor, presented a shortened version of her unique piano recital, Janne on Jane, which features music from Austen's era interwoven with conversations on the role of music in her novels. Dr. Irvine draws on her knowledge of 18th and early 19th century music and her understanding of Austen's novels. As a special treat, soprano Mary Wood sang the "The Ash Grove" and "Caro Mio Ben" accompanied by Janne on the piano. ("The Ash Grove" is the same song Elizabeth Garvie sang as Lizzy Bennet in the 1980 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. Caro Mio Ben is an Italian love song of the type Anne Elliot might have listened to at the evening recital in Bath.) Listening to Janne's performance on the piano would have been pleasure enough. But, the dramatic skill with which she recited dialog from the novels made the event even more entertaining!

Pride and Prejudice

• Sonata in C major, op. 1, no. 2 (1770) Muzio Clementi, 1752-1832
  Rondo - Spiritoso
• The Ash Grove Welsh Air
• Sonata in G major, op. 49, no. 2 (1796 ?) L. van Beethoven, 1770-1827
  Allegro, ma non troppo
  Tempo di Menuetto

Emma

• Sonata in D major (1767) Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809
  Moderato
  Finale, allegro assai
• Three Irish Airs (arranged by J.E. Irvine) Turkough O'Carolan, 1670-1738
  Planxty George Brabazon
  Princess Royal
  Planxty O'Carolan

Persuasion

• Sonata in C major, K. 545 (1788) Wolfgang A. Mozart, 1756-1791
  Andante
• Caro Mio Ben (1782) Tomasso Giordani, 1730-1806
• The Highlanders, a Reel Traditional

We were very fortunate to have five entertaining and insightful guests address our group. Their contributions were key to the success of Jane Austen Day, and we appreciate the time they took out of their busy schedules to be with us.

We agree with Miss Bates that "it is such a happiness when good people get together," and plan to make Jane Austen Day a bi-annual event for our Region. It's such a happiness when Austen fans can get together to bring her novels and characters to life for a day.