This master thesis examines Jane Austen´s representation of morality and conduct in her two novels Mansfield Park (1814) and Persuasion (1818), as these two novels reflect the notion of the named aspects during the English Regency Period and Victorian time. Morality is a term describing the inner, partly learned notions. Conduct describes the shown behaviour of a person, determinable by their actions. Thus, this thesis examines the human inner and outer values during the English Regency and the Victorian period.
The heroines of said novels, Fanny Price and Anne Elliot, are Austen´s two heroines not appearing strong and autonomous from the beginning on, but developing to become so. This is the reason for these two Austen novels being chosen. By their use, the behaviour and expectations towards other people during this period are shown. A view upon the notion of women´s nature in those times is given from time to time to complete the picture. This is necessary to examine if the notion of a woman´s conduct is aimed to be understood.Men and women possessed conducts, standards and moralities to accept and to live after, these being examined in this thesis.Various conduct-books of that time are used to prove the novels to be exemplary for the conduct and morality during the Regency period, one of them being Sermons to Young Women by James Fordyce, the book Mr. Collins uses to read to and bore the Bennett sisters in Austen´s Pride and Prejudice (published 1813). Another conduct book used is An Enquiry to the Duties of the Female Sex by Thomas Gisborne (1801), a book given to Jane Austen by her (often rather conservative) sister Cassandra. A Father´s Legacy to His Daughter by Dr. Gregory (1774/2012) was so well known in Austen´s time that other authors of various conduct-books assumed the knowledge of this book for their writings. There is a good case to believe that this book was a part of Austen´s father´s bibliography. The Habits Of Good Society: A Handbook for Ladies And Gentlemen, written by an anonymous author (1872/2012), provides a different, because broader view on the topic.
The different situations where morality and conduct may differ in the said novels are divided into love, family, faith, conduct and the public life to achieve lucidity in this thesis.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Morality and Faith
- Morality and Conduct
- Morality and Public
- Morality and Love
- Morality and Family
- Conclusion
- Austen's Morality and Conduct in School
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master thesis explores Jane Austen's portrayal of morality and conduct in her novels *Mansfield Park* (1814) and *Persuasion* (1818). It aims to analyze how these novels reflect the concepts of morality and conduct during the English Regency period and Victorian times. The thesis examines the inner and outer values of the characters, particularly the heroines Fanny Price and Anne Elliot, who are initially presented as not strong and independent, but develop into such individuals. By studying their actions and the expectations surrounding them, the thesis provides insights into the prevailing views on women's nature and social conduct during this period.
- Moral development of female characters
- Social expectations and norms surrounding conduct
- The influence of social class on morality and behavior
- The role of love and family in shaping moral values
- Contrasting perspectives on morality and conduct
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the context for the thesis by exploring contrasting views on women's nature and conduct in the 18th and 19th centuries. It introduces Jane Austen's two novels as case studies for examining morality and conduct during the English Regency and Victorian periods.
- Morality and Faith: This chapter delves into the concept of morality as it relates to religious beliefs and practices. It examines how faith influences the characters' moral compass and guides their actions.
- Morality and Conduct: This chapter explores the relationship between inner morality and outward behavior. It examines how social expectations and norms shape the characters' conduct and the consequences of deviating from these norms.
- Morality and Public: This chapter investigates the role of social standing and public opinion in shaping moral values. It examines how the characters navigate social expectations and maintain their reputation within their respective communities.
- Morality and Love: This chapter focuses on the influence of love on morality and conduct. It explores how romantic relationships, both successful and unsuccessful, impact the characters' moral choices and personal growth.
- Morality and Family: This chapter examines the role of family in shaping and influencing moral values. It analyzes how family dynamics, social class, and inheritance affect the characters' moral compass and their interactions with others.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This thesis focuses on morality, conduct, Jane Austen, *Mansfield Park*, *Persuasion*, English Regency, Victorian Era, female characters, social expectations, social class, love, family, and religious beliefs.
- Quote paper
- Svenja Strohmeier (Author), 2013, Jane Austen´s Representation of Morality and Conduct in "Mansfield Park" and "Persuasion", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/212358
