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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Part 1
- Female Cunningness in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility
- Male Deception in Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility
- Part 2
- Female Cunningness from a Male Point of View: Lady Bellaston in Henry Fielding's Tom Jones
- Male Intrigues in Tom Jones
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work compares Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility with Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, focusing on the portrayal of cunning and intrigue, and how authors of different genders present their characters. It examines how female cunning and male deception are perceived and presented, considering the author's gender as a crucial factor influencing the narrative.
- Female cunning in Jane Austen's novels
- Male deception in Jane Austen's novels
- Female cunning from a male perspective in Fielding's Tom Jones
- Male intrigue in Fielding's Tom Jones
- The influence of authorial gender on character portrayal
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Part 1: Female Cunning in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility: This section analyzes the different types of female cunning depicted in Austen's novels, focusing on the motivations and methods employed by female characters to achieve their romantic goals. It explores how these characters manipulate situations and use their perceived strengths to outmaneuver rivals, ultimately highlighting the complexities of female ambition within the societal constraints of the time.
Part 2: Female Cunningness from a Male Point of View: Lady Bellaston in Henry Fielding's Tom Jones: This section shifts the focus to Henry Fielding's portrayal of female cunning through the character of Lady Bellaston. It examines Lady Bellaston's manipulative tactics, her motivations, and the consequences of her actions. The analysis contrasts Austen's depiction of female cunning with Fielding's, highlighting the differences in perspective stemming from the authors' genders and the distinct social contexts of their works.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Female cunning, male deception, Jane Austen, Henry Fielding, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Tom Jones, character portrayal, gender, authorial perspective, social context, romantic intrigue.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Female Cunning and Male Deception in Jane Austen and Henry Fielding
What is the main focus of this academic work?
This work compares Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility with Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, focusing on the portrayal of cunning and intrigue. It examines how female cunning and male deception are perceived and presented, considering the author's gender as a crucial factor influencing the narrative.
What novels are analyzed in this study?
The analysis includes Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility, and Henry Fielding's Tom Jones.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
Key themes include female cunning in Jane Austen's novels, male deception in Jane Austen's novels, female cunning from a male perspective in Fielding's Tom Jones, male intrigue in Fielding's Tom Jones, and the influence of authorial gender on character portrayal.
How does the study approach the topic of female cunning?
The study analyzes different types of female cunning depicted in Austen's novels, focusing on the motivations and methods employed by female characters to achieve their romantic goals. It also contrasts Austen's depiction with Fielding's portrayal of female cunning through the character of Lady Bellaston in Tom Jones, highlighting the differences in perspective stemming from the authors' genders and social contexts.
What is the significance of the author's gender in this analysis?
The author's gender is considered a crucial factor influencing the narrative and character portrayal. The study contrasts the depictions of female cunning and male deception in Austen's and Fielding's works to highlight the differences in perspective arising from their differing genders.
What are the key aspects of male deception explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores male deception in Jane Austen's novels and compares it with the male intrigue depicted in Henry Fielding's Tom Jones. The study examines how these aspects are presented and perceived within the respective novels' contexts.
What is the structure of the academic work?
The work is divided into two parts. Part 1 analyzes female cunning in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility. Part 2 examines female cunning from a male perspective, focusing on Lady Bellaston in Henry Fielding's Tom Jones.
What are the key words associated with this academic work?
Key words include: Female cunning, male deception, Jane Austen, Henry Fielding, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Tom Jones, character portrayal, gender, authorial perspective, social context, romantic intrigue.
- 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
