1. Emily Levine
English 105
Dr. Pippen
February 2012
The Influence of Music
Music has a way of infiltrating the subconscious and expressing itself through
different outlets. The type of music one listens to, more often than not, has a great impact
on their mood, personality, and perception of everyday life. Conversely, one’s perception
and frame of mind can impact the kind of music they enjoy. Jane Austen understood this.
Music had always played a very important role in Austen’s life, and she utilized her love
and understanding of music to influence her novels and their characters. Austen uses
music to bring to light the personalities, emotions, and aspirations of her characters Mary
in Pride and Prejudice and Marianne and Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.
Jane Austen hardly lived a day without music; she practiced the pianoforte every
morning (Chapman 10). She took lessons with George William Chard, who became the
organist of Winchester Cathedral (Wakefield). Her eclectic taste in music ranged from
folk tunes to Beethoven to glee songs (Jane Austen’s World). She believed in music as a
means of entertainment for others and would often play for her family. In fact, she only
ever sang in front of her family though it was said that her “speaking voice was as sweet
as her singing” (Jane Austen’s World). She fondly played dances and clearly valued
dance as an adequate method of conversing and getting to know one another. Elizabeth
Bennet in Pride and Prejudiceclearly parallels Austen’s view of dance. Elizabeth, too,

2. played upbeat songs on the pianoforte and even confronted Mr. Darcy on his disapproval
of dances. A bit of Austen shines through here in Elizabeth.
In addition to her playing, Jane also loved listening to music. She listened to
popular dances by William Campbell, Andrews, and Birchall. Campbell arranged
Scottish dances and published books of Scottish tunes, which Austen enjoyed playing.
Andrews and Birchall also published music books. Birchall collaborated with Ludwid
van Beethoven and published many of his sonatas and symphonies.Austenconstantly
looked forward to the latest manuscripts and since sheet music was quite expensive at the
time, she often borrowed sheets from friends and relatives and transcribed them herself
(although not always very accurately). Additionally, in the 1790s, professional orchestras
were introduced. Local musicians played for assembly balls in small towns while
professional musicians performed at stylish events, much like the Netherfield Ball (Jane
Austen’s World). Austen’s appreciation for upbeat dances and balls comes to life in her
novels. For example, there are many instances of dances and joyous occasions in Pride
and Prejudice both at Netherfield and the public balls. Through the excitement of the
characters in Austen’s novels, the reader easily understands the value and importance of
such music at the time.
As the most under-appreciated Bennet sister, Mary finds refuge in her piano.
With her Kitty and Lydia always together as well as Jane and Elizabeth, Mary is left to
find her own solitary methods of enjoyment. She practices her piano diligently, running
through scales until they reach perfection. Perhaps in an effort to be noticed and praised,
Mary performs her piece with pride at the Netherfield Ball. Although after two songs,
Mr. Bennet approaches Mary telling her that she had “delighted [them] long enough [with

3. her playing].” (Austen, Pride and Prejudice69) Disconcerted, Mary stops playing, her
pride and any hope at being noticed shattered. Mary’s relationship with music is not a
happy one. Despite her long hours of practice, he family constantly defeats and putsher
down and she never reaches the level of joy that music seemed to bring Jane Austen.
Mary’s dependence on music as a way to gain respect symbolizes her struggle to be
valued by her family and peers.
Additionally, in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, music deeply affects
Marianne.She is heard on many occasions playing somber pieces, which reflect her
despair. She retreats to her piano much like Mary Bennet, but she plays more for herself
than for approval. Marianne clearly uses music as an outlet for her emotions; she hardly
ever plays an upbeat piece. In fact, her relatives comment on her playing of consistently
melancholy and minor pieces. Furthermore, when her piano is removed from her life, her
depression grows; her retreat is gone. This view of music as a form of escape is a
common theme in Austen’s novels and shows the importance of music in one’s life. As
Austen experienced, music can act as a form of comfort, a source of knowledge and
learning, or a peaceful haven.
In Jane Austen’s time, amateur male musicians did not exist. Playing the piano
was “considered a task only fit for ladies and professional musicians” (Burgan 59,
Wakefield). Being a man and pursuing music as a hobby endangered one’s gender and
social status. Because of this, the character of Colonel Brandon and his relationship with
Marianne in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is so shocking. The contrast between Colonel
Brandon and John Willoughby in respect to appreciation for music is clear. Willoughby
reacts to music in a foolish way, copying scores for Marianne, but never taking his inborn

4. talent for music seriously. This neglect for talent indicates a lack of discipline, therefore
making Willoughby an unsuitable match for Marianne (Wakefield). Colonel Brandon, on
the other hand, appreciates music in the way an upperclassmen should. Austen writes,
“His pleasure in music, though it amounted not to that extatic delight which alone could
sympathize with her own, was estimable when contrasted against the horrible
insensibility of the others” (Sense and Sensibility 35). Furthermore, by presenting
Marianne with a pianoforte, Colonel Brandon proves his consideration, admiration, and
appreciation for Marianne and her love of music.
Jane Austen includes her perception of the importance of music in her novels.
She views music as a way to create camaraderie and joy in a social setting, whether it is
in the form of a ball or a family concert. Contrarily, in Mary Bennet’s case, music
represents defeat and a yearning to be noticed. However, in Marianne’s case, while
music represents her woe, it also represents the love and compatibility she shares with
Colonel Brandon. Music played an important role in Jane Austen’s life and that role has
been successfully transported into the lives of her characters.

5. Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Dover Thrift, 1995. Print.
Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. London: Dover Thrift, 1995. Print.
Chapman, R.W. Jane Austen’s Letters. Second Edition. London: Oxford University
Press, 1952. Print.
"Jane Austen and Music." Jane Austen's World. n. page. Web. 24 Feb. 2012.
<http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/jane-austen-and-music/>.
Wakefield, Sarah R. "How Masculinity Plays: Effects of Musicianship in the 1995 Film
Adaptation of Sense and Sensibility." Jane Austen Society of North America. 28.1
(2007): n. page. Web. 24 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol28no1/wakefield.htm>.