Love and Freindship. The Watsons. Sanditon

The letter-writing style gives the story a playful, satirical tone. I wonder if Austen intended this format to heighten the wit or to mimic real correspondence.

The characters are so over-the-top that it made me question whether Austen was poking fun at societal norms or just creating wild caricatures. What was the intent behind their exaggerated traits?

I’m curious whether 'Love and Friendship' was meant as a serious story or more of a humorous parody, especially when compared to her later novels like 'Pride and Prejudice'.