When Jane Austen wrote her major novels England was in a period of social upheaval provoked by the French Revolution (1789) and the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1817). The achievement of religious freedom in France after the Revolution led to powerful social, political and religious tensions in Great Britain. They reached its heyday when Jane Austen reached adulthood. Thus Austen wrote under the impression of the French Revolution and the resulting British reformist’s movements including the feminist movement that called for equal rights for women, the abolitionist movement that supported the abolition of the slave trade and other political reform societies, mostly generated by ordinary working people that declined patronage and called for parliamentary reform, political influence and social equality. The rising tensions among the British society generated the fear among conservatives and the nobility that the French Revolution might spread to Great Britain and deprive the ruling class of their power. One of the most famous anti-revolutionary writers was Edmund Burke. In 1791 he published his pamphletReflections on the Revolution in France,a response to the revolutionary movement, in which he rejected any kind of political reform modelled on the French Revolution. In 1791/92 Thomas Paine replied to Burke’s attack on the French Revolution with his pamphletThe Rights of Menwhere he called for social security of the poor, the abolition of The House of Lords, equal political rights for all men and the abolition of the slavery. The book was immediately banned by the British government and Thomas Paine escaped to France a short time after in 1792 and never returned to England again. Nevertheless, Paine’s book reached lots of readers and thus fuelled the political debates. The British government as well as the aristocracy and the landed gentry were deeply alarmed by the spread of revolutionary ideas and in order to stern revolutionary potential the government enforced that radical political leaders could be arrested without trial, the distribution of political pamphlets was forbidden, reformist societies eliminated and many reformists were driven into exile. Although the British ruling class managed to suppress a revolution as it had occurred in France they could not circumvent some political reforms that should change the political climate in England forever, like e.g. the universal suffrage with was achieved in 1829.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Historical background to Jane Austen's novels.
- The Social Context of Jane Austen's novels and the Question of Female Education
- The Representation of Women in Jane Austen's Novels.
- Conclusion.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the hidden political and social commentary in Jane Austen's novels. By examining the historical and social context in which Austen wrote, the essay aims to shed light on the author's perspective on issues such as female education, gender roles, and societal expectations during her time. It will analyze the representation of women in Austen's works to reveal her critical views on the prevailing assumptions about women in the early 19th century.
- The historical context of Jane Austen's novels and the impact of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars on British society.
- The social and economic constraints placed upon women in the early 19th century, particularly in relation to education and opportunities.
- Jane Austen's critique of societal norms and expectations surrounding women, particularly the emphasis on marriage and subservience.
- The representation of different female characters in Jane Austen's novels, including the independent and headstrong Emma Woodhouse and the stereotypically feminine Isabella Knightley.
- The fate of women who were unable to find husbands or who were widowed, and the social and economic consequences of such circumstances.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- This chapter explores the political and social landscape of England during Jane Austen's lifetime, particularly the impact of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It highlights the rising tensions and fears within British society, including the emergence of feminist and abolitionist movements, and the suppression of radical political movements by the ruling class.
- This chapter examines the social context of Jane Austen's novels, focusing on the stark division between the public and private spheres and the limited opportunities for women. It discusses the prevailing notion of female inferiority and the emphasis on training women for their domestic roles, rather than cultivating their minds. The chapter also explores the limited options available to women for education, employment, and social mobility.
- This chapter analyzes the representation of women in Jane Austen's novels, focusing on the societal pressures and constraints they faced. It examines the portrayal of female characters such as Emma Woodhouse and Isabella Knightley, highlighting the contrasting approaches to female agency and conformity. The chapter also considers the fate of women who could not find husbands or who were widowed, emphasizing the social and economic vulnerabilities they experienced.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Jane Austen, female education, gender roles, societal expectations, French Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, feminist movement, abolitionist movement, marriage, social mobility, economic constraints, female characters, Emma Woodhouse, Isabella Knightley, widows, social and economic vulnerabilities.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Röpke (Author), 2005, Jane Austen: A Political Author of her Time?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57445
