“The small pianoforte has been removed within these few days, at Lady Susan's request, into her dressing-room, and Frederica spends great part of the day there, practising as it is called” (XVII).
Pianoforte is the full name for the musical instrument known today as a piano. Pianos of a fine musical quality were, and still are, costly instruments, making their presence in homes rare. Mostly the upper classes were able to afford to purchase pianos for their homes, so the Vernon’s possession of a piano displays their wealth. Austen uses the pianoforte to symbolize the wealth and formalities common to the upper class. As a child, Austen learned to play the piano, but her piano was sold upon moving to Bath. When she was able to, Austen purchased her own piano and continued her studies. The skill of playing the piano is one that Austen gave to many of her characters, including Frederica in Lady Susan.
Works Cited: Coulson, Margaret. "Soft and Loud ~ Jane Austen and the pianoforte." Jane Austen Society of Australia. 25 June 2005. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.jasa.net.au/l&t/piano.htm>.
Photo Credit: http://www.jasa.net.au/l&t/piano.htm
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