Bringing Austen to Life

Carolyn Woodward's Jane Austen class did a Reader's Theatre presentation of Lover's Vows as part of their work on Austen's Mansfield Park.

“In 'Mansfield Park,' the young people get into trouble for putting on a play. Not only that, but it’s clear they should be getting into trouble. It’s not a smart thing for them to be doing,” Woodward said. The play itself, by Elizabeth Inchbald, is a very sentimental 18th century play, she said.

“I thought it would be interesting for us, while studying the novel, to put on the play. We are doing a very abridged version of the play, performing it as the characters in the book would. The students understand the sexual tensions and the problematic nature of these young people putting it on.”