2017 Essay Contest

Topic: Adapting a Jane Austen Novel

Imagine that you are adapting an Austen novel for stage or film. What elements might you be tempted to change—especially for a modern audience—and what should not be tampered with if the integrity of the work is to be preserved? These elements could be scenes, characters, dialogue or something else. Explain why they are so crucial to the novel. How does what can and cannot be changed shed light on Austen’s popularity and influence?

View the list of essays awarded "Honorable Mention."

ESSAY CONTEST CHAIR

Meg Levin

ESSAY CONTEST JUDGES

High School Division

Monica Alvarez
Trinity School
New York, NY

Lety Banks
University of California
San Diego, CA

Adrienne Berg
Woods Charter School
Chapel Hill, NC

Caroline Bolt
University of Texas
Dallas, TX

Barbara Burnham
University of Texas
Austin, TX

Courtney O. Carlisle
University of Texas
Dallas, TX

Jessica Connolly
Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland

Marjean Cockran
Enterprise State Community College
Enterprise, AL

Becky Dolin
Graham School
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Susan Durst
Boise Public Schools (retired)
Boise, ID

Amy Fugazzi
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Norah Glickstein
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON

Jean Lewis
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Frank McClanahan
Linfield College
McMinnville, OR

Keiko Parker
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC

Deanna Parsi

Sue Scott
Wake County Library
Raleigh, NC

Gina Sipley
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Maria Spray
School for Advanced Research
Santa Fe, NM

Amy Stallings
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA

Alisa Thomas
Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls, GA

Lisa Tyler
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Karin Wiberg
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

College/University Division

Elaine Bander
Dawson College (retired)
Montréal, Québec

Pauline Beard
Pacific University (emerita)
Forest Grove, OR

Rosa Beyer
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Laura Bloxham
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA

Rachel Brownstein
Graduate Center, City University
of New York, NY

Susan Cotellesse
Northeast Lakeview College
Universal City, TX

Wendy Anne Lee
New York University
New York, NY

Nora Nachumi
Stern College for Women
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Stephanie Oppenheim
Borough of Manhattan Community
College
City University of New York
New York, NY

Lisa Tyler
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Leo Rockas
University of Hartford (Emeritus)
Hartford, CT

Debra Roush

Kathleen Urda
Bronx Community College
City University of New York
New York, NY

Susan Weisgrau
Akiba Hebrew Academy (retired)
Merion Station, PA

Graduate School Division

Deborah Knuth Klenck
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Pat Michaelson
University of Dallas
Dallas, TX

Juliette Wells
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

2017 Essay Contest

Winning Entries

Contents

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

Mansfield Park: The Musical

A Biracial Fanny Price

“Extensive and Unaffected Pleasure”: Affectionate Satire in Northanger Abbey Reimagined for the Modern Day

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DIVISION

Sharing the Reins: The Crofts’ Rare Depiction of a Blessed Union

Friends Forever: Adapting Female Friendships in Pride and Prejudice

Preserving Jane Austen’s Letters in Modern Adaptations of Pride and Prejudice

GRADUATE SCHOOL DIVISION

Austen University: Accessing Austen through Alternate Universes

Fanny Price in Her Own Words: A Reality Television Adaptation

Northanger Abbey: A New Movie Musical

Essay Contest Winning Entries

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