The Republic of Pemberley, a Haven for Jane Austen Addicts : A Study of a Virtual Community

Sammanfattning: The Internet is revolutionizing human communication. With it, new ways of exchanging information are created, enabling intimacy even without significant physical proximity. This thesis seeks to examine one Internet community, " The Republic of Pemberley", a virtual community in English about Jane Austen’s books and life. It addresses the relationships that are forged online, the trajectories of the community’s members as they discover, join, participate in and leave the group and the ways the community structures itself. Two main methodologies are employed in this research; Ethnography and in depth interviews, all conducted over the Internet. The study argues that, apart from serving the most dedicated Jane Austen fans by providing them with a place to discuss the minutiae of Austen’s work and life, Pemberley functions as a scene for strong social interactions and the creation of friendships online and beyond.