Reading in Jane Austen novels is one aspect that is held in common with all of her heroines, and seems to form part of Austen's ideals regarding an admirable heroine. Her characterisations are by no means formulaic, yet similar concerns about class, marriage and the status of women are to be found in each of her books. Reading is presented as being a n escape from the confines of the female role, an expansion of mind that is necessary for character formation. Each of Austen's heroines reads ti some extant, and the act of reading, and educating oneself is seen as most powerful when placed w…
