Cassandra Leigh's Life

The rearing of a child without proper financial resources proves to be the reality of Cassandra Leigh’s life. Her daughter, Jane Austen, was born on December 16,1775 in the English countryside. Jane’s father, George Austen, was a country clergyman who had achieved his successes only through determination and his own will. Austen was surrounded by an abundance of other siblings, but she experienced a special attachment to her sister Cassandra. Additionlly, Jane experienced an adamant presence of religion and education throughout her childhood years. Without financial resources, Austen’s education came through her extensive study of Shakespeare as well as other significant literary figures (Hindley). In the beginnings of 1787, Austen began to truly immerse herself into the sphere of writing as began to write her own works. It would take many years until she would witness her first book in print, and this event occurred at the age of thirty-five with the entrance of Pride and Prejudice. Many speculate that this work was based upon her own life, and her love for Tom Lefroy. This match was not possible as he was a retired soldier of limited income, and he needed to marry to a financially stable …show more content…
Austen’s rejection and denial of the publication of her first book may have ignited her creative abilities as she began to grow in her abilities as a writer. The existence of a pen name proves her desire of remaining anonymous and unknown. It was only at her death that she was known as the author of these great literary works. Moreover, it has been speculated that her death involves an existence of Addison’s disease, and she died on July 18, 1817. Austen has been reviewed with positive criticism of her works as they are known and loved by many. There are three reviews originating in modern day that “are remarkably complementary” to Austen’s works