Austen, Juvenilia

When reading the juvenilia, I’m always astonished by just how familiar the young Jane Austen must have been with so many forms of contemporary literature, in order to write such exuberant parodies.  While much of the humour can be described as burlesque, the juvenilia also reveal Austen’s delight in lampooning mannered society, found throughout her published work – the meal in the ‘The Visit’ is a case in point.  I’m also struck by Austen’s inventive uses of register throughout this early work.  Is it possible to identify general similarities and differences between Austen’s early writing and her published work? 

Bride and Prejudice seems to capture some of the exuberance of the juvenilia.  I was surprised that Pride and Prejudice could be adapted to fit the Bollywood formula.  How much collateral damage is there? And does the resultant exploration of contemporary cultural prejudice work?