Fifth Jane Austen Day
May 1, 2010

Program Highlights

• "A Dangerous Indulgence: Women's Health in Jane Austen's Time"
  Many of the characters in Austen’s novels are preoccupied by illness and other health risks -- real and imagined. Health issues are also mentioned in many of Austen’s personal letters. In this talk Dr. Cheryl Kinney, acclaimed Dallas physician and avid Janeite, will discuss women’s health issues and medical practices in 18th and early 19th century England, weaving in examples from Austen’s novels. She will also address speculations about Jane Austen’s fatal illness.

• "’If You Knew the Harp’: Music in Austen’s Novels"
  Music was important to amateur pianist Jane Austen, and she often commented on the musical skills and taste of her characters to convey information about them. In this presentation, pianist and musicologist Dr. Janne Irvine will discuss why it is significant that Mary Crawford plays the harp, what type of music Mary Bennet and Jane Fairfax would choose to play, and much more. Drawing on her knowledge of 18th and early 19th century music, her talent as a pianist, and her understanding of Austen's novels, Janne will perform music from Austen’s era interwoven with conversation about her novels to deliver a unique presentation.

• "One Classic and Two Pastiches"
  There seems to be no end to the current fascination with Austen-inspired pastiche - from fictional Austen biographies and diaries to sequels, adaptations, and mash-ups of her novels. But, does it follow that if you love Austen, you’ll love anything inspired by Austen? Dr. Gene Koppel, retired professor of 18th century literature and past editor of JASNA’s journal Persuasions, will discuss what makes Sense and Sensibility a classic and explore two reimaginings of her works published in 2009: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Audience members will be encouraged to share their own views on Austen’s classics, on these particular horror mash-ups, and on other Austen-inspired works.

• Luncheon, gift basket raffle, and more ...

Date & Time

Saturday, May 1
9:15 am to 10:00 am: Sign-in, Coffee and Tea, and Conversation
10:00 am to 3:30 pm: Program

Location

Marriott University Park Hotel, 880 East Second Street, Tucson, 520-792-4100. Click here for a map and to get directions. Parking is free on Saturday in the parking garage right across the street from the hotel. The garage is at the corner of Euclid and Second Street, with the entrance on Second Street.

Registration Information

Registration Fee: The cost of the event is $35 per person, which includes coffee and tea in the morning and lunch. Jane Austen Day is open to JASNA members, their guests, and others with an interest in Jane Austen. Because we must guarantee the number of meals ahead of time, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations after April 26.

Registration Deadline: Registrations will be accepted until April 26 or until seats are sold out. Space is limited, so register early to avoid disappointment!

How to Register: Click here to access an online registration form in Adobe PDF format. Just print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address on the form with a check payable to "JASNA-SAZ Region."

Illustration by Charles Brock