Elizabethtown College Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Tara Moore, oversaw a craft session and gave a talk at the recent Jane Austen Day event at Manor Mill on June 17, in Monkton, Maryland. Moore’s talk, “Austen’s Life and After Life,” covered the economics of Jane Austen’s life and her family’s struggle to remain in the pseudo-gentry class despite financial challenges.
Dr. Moore recently joined the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) and began volunteering at Austen events following a trip to Austen-specific sites in England as part of her faculty-led study abroad course last summer. At this event, she discussed how financial troubles affected Austen’s writing, as Austen was most productive with her writing during periods of housing stability, along with Austen’s prodigious marketing appeal which continues strong nearly 250 years since her birth.
“My enjoyment of Austen’s novels contributed to my decision to become an English major and later an English professor,” Moore said. “Participating in these events—learning how Austen continues to impact readers of different ages and backgrounds—adds depth to my teaching of her works.”
The event was presented by the JASNA and Manor Mill. It served as a day for Austen fans, also referred to as “Janeites,” to gather and celebrate the life and works of Jane Austen. During the sold-out event, Austen aficionados led discussions on her “big six” novels, personal life, and the legacy she left that still impacts book publishing to this day.
