When comparing Jane Austen’s novels ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to Henry Fielding’s ‘Tom Jones,’ the reader’s first observation will be that they do not have too much in common. Jane Austen tells romantic love stories. Henry Fielding mostly deals with sex. Jane Austen’s main characters are women waiting for and suffering on behalf of a man. Henry Fielding describes male chauvinist behaviour.
In this work, I want to take a closer look at the differences between the novels.
Focussing on cunning as well as on cunning, game and intrigue, I compare the authors’ ways of presenting their characters.
In both ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ we come across women of relatively low social status who want to improve their lifestyle by marrying wealthy. We also come across men who turn out not to be what they seem: men that (in ‘Northanger
Abbey’) lack responsibility or who (in ‘Sense and Sensibility’) simply have too much of it. In ‘Tom Jones,’ we find two characters both evil and cunning, one of whom is male.
This work focuses on these characters’ motives, actions and on the effects of these. Furthermore, it deals with the question whether their behaviour is judged by the authors.
Genre will not be focussed on, but the questions mentioned beforehand will be answered by a closer examination of style. A man thinks differently from a woman; he presents female and male characters in another way than a woman would and he expresses his
thoughts in a different manner.
Starting from the topic of cunningness and charade, the following pages will deal with the different perception and presentation of both female cunning and male deception in the novels - depending on the author’s sex.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part 1
Female Cunning in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility
Male Deception in Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility
Part 2
Female Cunning from a Male Point of View
Lady Bellaston in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones
Male Intrigues in Tom Jones
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This academic work explores the manifestations of cunning and deception in the novels of Jane Austen and Henry Fielding, focusing on how gender influences both the deployment and the narrative presentation of these traits. By analyzing characters from Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Tom Jones, the study investigates the moral judgments passed by the authors on their characters' behaviors.
- The role of female cunning as a social tool in Austen's novels.
- The nature of male deception and its consequences in both Austen and Fielding.
- Comparative analysis of how male and female authors frame character psychology.
- The impact of social status and gender roles on character motivation.
- Fielding's overt moralizing versus Austen's subtle psychological characterization.
Excerpt from the Book
Female Cunning in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility
In Northanger Abbey and in Sense and Sensibility, the reader is confronted with two kinds of female cunning employed for different reasons - but both aiming at defeating a possible rival in love. In Northanger Abbey, we come across Isabella Thorpe, a beautiful young woman of 21. Isabella is everything Catherine is not. She wants to have attention, is eager to get a man and has one great advantage over her inexperienced friend.
From the beginning of their acquaintance, the reader is brought to the impression that the clever Isabella uses Catherine as a kind of negative. She instantly realizes that the young girl is plain and shy, the ideal friend at whose side she can sparkle and shine and be admired. Gabriela Castellanos describes her as “a fortune-hunting, shallow, hypocritical young lady” pursuing only one genuine interest “in spite of her duplicity and mercenary spirit”: men. Convinced of Catherine’s brother James’ wealth, Isabella seeks her friendship to lay hands on the desired object. Catherine does not see Isabella’s intention although the Thorpes refer to James’ stay at their home over christmas (NA, IV, 29). It was then that James met the charming and emancipated Isabella and fell in love with her and Isabella formed her idea of marrying him and even drops hints of her intention to Catherine who does not understand them.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the comparative scope of the work, focusing on the differences in how Jane Austen and Henry Fielding portray cunning and deception.
Part 1: Analyzes the calculated behavior of female characters in Austen’s novels and the corresponding deceptive maneuvers employed by male figures.
Female Cunning in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility: Explores how characters like Isabella Thorpe and Lucy Steele use cunning as a strategic tool for social advancement.
Male Deception in Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility: Examines male characters who manipulate and deceive women, and how these actions drive the maturation of the female protagonists.
Part 2: Shifts the focus to Henry Fielding's work and the differing perspective on character intrigue.
Female Cunning from a Male Point of View: Discusses the presentation of female intrigue through the lens of a male author, specifically contrasting it with Austen's style.
Lady Bellaston in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones: Investigates the specific character of Lady Bellaston as a prime example of female manipulation within Fielding's narrative.
Male Intrigues in Tom Jones: Analyzes the character of Master Blifil and his deceptive motivations driven by greed and jealousy.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, highlighting the fundamental differences in how Austen and Fielding approach moral judgment and psychological realism.
Keywords
Jane Austen, Henry Fielding, Cunning, Deception, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Tom Jones, Gender Roles, Social Status, Literary Analysis, Character Motivation, Moral Judgment, Psychological Realism, Intrigue, Marriage Market
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research examines the themes of cunning and deception within selected novels by Jane Austen and Henry Fielding, highlighting how gender shapes character behavior and authorial presentation.
Which specific novels are analyzed in this work?
The study analyzes Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility, as well as Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The primary objective is to contrast the ways in which male and female authors present intrigue and how they judge the moral actions of their characters.
What scientific methods are applied in this study?
The work utilizes literary analysis and comparative literature methodology, drawing upon secondary criticism to examine character psychology and social context.
What does the main body of the work address?
It covers female cunning as a means of social advancement in Austen’s works, male deception, and specific case studies of manipulative characters like Lady Bellaston and Master Blifil in Fielding’s work.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include gender roles, narrative perspective, social mobility, moral judgment, and psychological characterization.
How does Austen’s portrayal of female cunning differ from Fielding’s?
Austen’s portrayal is described as more subtle and psychologically grounded, whereas Fielding often uses overt moral framing to depict his characters' actions.
What role does social status play in the characters' motivations?
Social status is a significant driver, as characters frequently use cunning to secure wealthy matches and improve their lifestyle in a society where marriage was a primary economic vehicle.
- Quote paper
- Stephanie Lipka (Author), 2001, Female Cunningness and Male Deception in Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Sense and Sensibility' and in Henry Fielding's 'Tom Jones', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126046
