Austen sisters & school
Posted by P. Bingham on March 03, 1998 at 14:12:32:
In response to Why school anyway?, written by Caroline on March 03, 1998 at 09:49:26
This is only a thought based on what I've read about the mother and what was normal of the times. I do think that the girls being sent to school had much to do with Mrs. Austen. Her family connections were very fine and I think she was disappointed that her husband was not better off or rather, perhaps her husband was disappointed that he could not better provide for his wife. They seemed to be constantly in need of money. Sending the girls to school as other fine families did, was a way for Mrs. Austen to feel as though she was living very well, even if it was superficial, and the father was willing to pay the extra money. We know they were not sent there for an education, other than sewing, painting, etc., as mr. Austen was providing educational requirements very well for his sons as well as other family's young boys.
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