What did Jane Austen do in her free time?

Answer 1

We know a few things about what Jane Austen liked to do, based on recorded observations. Clearly, she liked to read. Her enjoyment of writing began as a child, and continued through her entire life. As a child she enjoyed being involved in theatrical events, though it is fairly clear she did not approve of adults doing this. She very much enjoyed dancing, as records show, and was very proud of her abilities as a seamstress. She played a pianoforte.

We can imagine a few things about what she liked, based on the novels. All the heroines of the novels liked to dance, just as she did. Most of them liked to read. Many of them sewed. But there was also an athletic side to the natures of the women she wrote about that indicates she might have liked to ride and play sports. Elizabeth Bennet liked to walk and run. Marianne Dashwood also liked to walk through the countryside, as did Emma Woodhouse. Elinor Dashwood and Fanny Price rode. Catherine Morland, heroine of Northanger Abbey, rode, ran around the countryside, and played cricket and Baseball (believe it or not).