One of the most important novelists of the early 19th century,
Jane Austen (1775-1817) continues to be read and studied today.
Throughout her novels, she creates characters who embody various
virtues and limitations. The best characters represent the best
behavior, just as the less admirable ones behave in less admirable
ways. The courtesy books of the 18th century advise certain moral
behavior for character development. This book studies Austen's
parallels to 18th century courtesy books. Educational and
recreational activities in Austen's novels, such as reading,
dancing, card-playing, and theatre-going, are often similar to
those activities recommended in the courtesy books with which
Austen would have been familiar. So too, various social activities
and personal characteristics depicted in Austen's novels frequently
accord with courtesy book recommendations.
Proper behavior was of great concern to Austen's contemporaries.
Throughout the 18th century, numerous courtesy books were written,
advocating certain moral behavior for character development. Austen
would have been familiar with these books, for they were
influential during the late 18th century, when she grew up, and in
the early 19th century, when her works were published.
Although Austen is known as a novelist of manners, surprisingly
little work has been done to compare the manners recommended by the
courtesy books of the time with the manners of the characters in
her novels. This study demonstrates Austen's parallels with 18th
century courtesy books in shaping her characters. Educational and
recreational activities in her works are often similar to the
activities recommended by the courtesy books of her time. So too,
the social activities and personal characteristics she presents
frequently accord with the recommendations of the courtesy books.
Austen's reliance on courtesy books is of great importance, for
scholars have generally held that her novels are reflective of the
manners of the period. Without the documentation that this study
provides, such assertions would remain empty of authority.
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