jane austen's still got it

austenblog posted a link to a great article about why, two centuries later, jane austen is still a relevant writer to be taught in the classroom. the writer, kay mcspadden, shares some great anecdotes about what it's like to teach jane and how today's students still can relate to her characters' lives and loves. i really like this bit:

this hard girl, this smart girl, this girl whose choices have whittled her future into a small, lonely path, this girl who longs for romance but has found motherhood instead – well, my heart breaks for her even as she invites me to tease her out of her bad mood another day.

i look at the other students like andrea in the class – girls and boys who appear more mature than they are – and I'm glad that jane austen is able to speak to them, too.

here's a link to the article. whether you teach jane in the classroom like i do, or are simply a modern-day fan of her work, it's a great read.