Shocking Secrets Revealed: The Heartbreaking Fate of Jane and Cassandra in Miss Austen!

*Attention: The following article discloses key plot points from every episode of Miss Austen, currently streaming live on BBC iPlayer. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!*

The recently released BBC historical drama, titled “Miss Austen,” offers a peek into the past, revealing intriguing details about the life of renowned author Jane Austen as well as her sister, Cassandra.

The television series, inspired by the novel with the same title by Gill Hornby, portrays Cassandra’s burning of her sister’s letters as a poignant story about sibling affection. However, it is only in the last episode that we witness Cassandra performing this action.

In the progression of events following their father’s passing, the sisters grapple with the repercussions while Cassy finds herself unexpectedly managing their household. Meanwhile, the Austen family bands together to cope, yet we witness how Jane’s literary works subtly shape Cassandra’s destiny. This influence ignites thoughts about love and fate within Dinah (Mirren Mack) and Isabella (Rose Leslie).

Unfortunately, the narrative unfolds with a grim twist as Jane’s health starts to decline. However, Cassy remains resilient, doing her best to create a peaceful environment for her sister and enveloping her in affection.

However, let’s delve into the details of the last episode of Miss Austen, and discover the reasons behind Cassandra’s decision to destroy Jane’s letters. Keep reading to uncover the answers.

Miss Austen ending explained: What happens to Cassandra and Jane?

In my critique, I kick off by sharing my thoughts on a captivating episode where Isabella opens up to Cassandra about her tumultuous history with Mr. Lidderdale, played exceptionally well by Alfred Enoch. She recounts a time when he popped the question, but their union was thwarted due to her father’s disapproval, stemming from Mr. Lidderdale’s social standing and family background.

Cassandra is taken aback by the confession and sets plans into motion for Isabella to reside with her sibling, despite harboring doubts that this might not be the ideal solution for her.

After completing her tasks in Kintbury, Cassandra began making arrangements to depart. However, just prior to her departure, she stumbled upon additional letters – these ones were from herself, addressed to Eliza.

As I time-traveled back, I found myself witnessing Cassy’s struggles. She was having a tough time motivating Jane (Patsy Ferran) to write or even rise from bed. To make matters worse, she had to personally handle family affairs and disclose their financial situation to her mother following our father’s passing.

Amidst her grief, Jane is grappling with a personal dilemma, feeling that her accomplishments at age 30 are insufficient compared to her expectations. Disappointed by not achieving the success she envisioned in her writing, Jane finds herself mourning not just for the life she didn’t live, but also for her late father.

In an attempt to encourage her sister to start writing once more, Cassy suggests taking walks together and also reads out her old writings to inspire her.

One unexpected day, Cassy discovers that Henry Hobday (Max Irons) has made a trip to their new residence in Southampton. His purpose was to inform Cassy that he is now engaged and intends to marry, yet he still wished to meet Cassy one more time, just in case she might have reconsidered her decision about marrying him.

Cassy explains to him that the situation in her life has shifted dramatically, as her family currently requires her presence more than ever before. Consequently, she’s unable to depart from them because her sister’s life depends on her continuous care. In essence, she emphasizes that her commitment is towards her sister, Jane, rather than acquiring a husband.

Following the passing of her sister-in-law, Cassy proposes an arrangement where they could live nearer to their brother and his offspring by moving into a cottage at Chawton. Over time, this dwelling transformed into what we now recognize as Jane Austen’s House Museum.

It appears that moving there serves as the motivation Jane required, for later in the episode, we find Cassandra reading letters and discover that Jane informs Eliza she’s sold a novel. Over time, Cassy adorns their bookshelves with editions of Jane’s works, but it is revealed that during this period, Jane also succumbs to a mysterious ailment.

I, Jane, am pushing myself hard to complete the novel I’m writing because of the pain I’m enduring and my belief that my time is limited. Despite Cassy’s efforts to find help for me, I confess that I’m growing increasingly ill. As I become more bedridden, Mary (Liv Hill) comes to visit in an attempt to cheer me up.

Despite our past differences, Mary’s arrival lifts my spirits. Later in the day, Charlotte and I share a profound moment as I take my last breaths.

Or, more casually:
Mary’s visit puts me in a better mood, even though we haven’t always seen eye to eye. That night, Charlotte and I have a special moment as I prepare to say goodbye.

What happens to Isabella?

With Isabella preparing to leave her family home soon, Cassandra takes care of the necessary arrangements to help her move in with one of her sisters. During their walk through the village, however, Mr. Lidderdale unexpectedly reveals that he’ll be relocating for a new surgeon position and plans to depart within a month.

Upon returning home, it’s evident that Isabella is both sorrowful and enraged by the news. Rather than dwelling on her feelings, she requests Cassandra to carry on reading Persuasion to her. As Cassandra reads, Dinah catches a passage about a fall, which sparks an idea in her. Taking inspiration from this, she tumbles down the stairs as a ploy to prompt Isabella to summon Mr Lidderdale for assistance.

It functions, and since they both care for Dinah, it’s evident that there’s still a significant amount of emotion lingering between them. They maintain a cordial demeanor as they eventually bid farewell after Mr. Lidderdale confirms that Dinah is well.

However, at the very end, he suddenly turns back and plants a kiss on Isabella. Meanwhile, Cassandra, looking on through the window, smiles. Later, Cassandra tactfully questions Dinah about her fall from the stairs, understanding it was an attempt to bring Isabella and Mr. Lidderdale closer together.

A few days after, we find Cassandra bundling Jane’s letters and peering out the window, only to spot Isabella, no longer in her black mourning garb but rather a cheerful pink dress. Upon their conversation, Isabella reveals that Mr. Lidderdale has proposed again, and this time she graciously accepted.

Why does Cassandra burn Jane’s letters?

After examining the correspondence, Cassandra separates the letters into two groups: those she intends to take with her and those she will either store in Kintbury or hand over to Mary.

Later on, as everyone is rejoicing about Isabella’s upcoming wedding, Dinah hands Cassandra a last letter she discovered. Before Mary could notice, Cassandra carefully stores the letter away.

Cassandra instructs Mary to search for Jane’s letters in the box previously kept in Eliza’s room. She had stashed some of them there. After bidding farewell to Isabella, Dinah, and Mary, Cassandra reads a letter from Dinah (which was actually Jane’s final letter to Eliza) during their journey home.

In this piece, she expresses her struggling health, the deep love of her family, and the heartfelt affection she’s been shown by Cassandra over her lifetime. Jane can be heard stating, “She has always watched over me, and I am certain she will safeguard my memory once I’m gone.

In my own words, I found myself, as a cherished admirer, standing by as Cassandra tenderly reduced to embers the treasured letters we shared, along with heartwarming mementos symbolizing our beloved sisters’ rich history and joyful moments spent together, all within the hearth of her home.

2025-02-03 01:36

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