January 24, 2022
Response #1 Austen
1. Interpret:
In the preface of J. Paul Hunter’s “Before Novels: The Cultural Contexts of Eighteenth-Century English Fiction,” he defines a text as a cultural event that represents a moment in time and a historical consciousness (x). I believe this definition can be directly applied when considering Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Regarding aspects that stand out in regards to this definition of a text are the ways in which Austen’s novel and the characters overall navigate the discussion of rules that regulate their society, which can also reflect the thoughts and manners of the social sphere of Jane Austen’s own time. In other words, the preconceived notions in place that designate ones place in traditional society, and the overall systems and structures in place that govern each of the characters’ lives or assumptions of each other.
The aspects of class structure and how individuals attempt to ascend their place in society in Persuasion are the two main standouts I observed. How commentary and overall assumptions towards different levels of class or distinctions towards different professions in regards to improving social standing and what would be considered traditionally valued play a large part in the context of the novel, and what I assume, attempts to challenge or defend Austen’s own views of class structure in early nineteenth-century British society. For example in chapter three, Sir Walter makes the comment, “Yes: it is in two points offensive to me: I have two strong grounds of objection to it. First, as a means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it cuts up a man’s youth and vigor most horribly” (Austen 16). The profession of the Navy is discussed by many characters in the novel, with either admiration or as reference by Sir Walter’s passage, apprehension and distaste. While the Navy is a vehicle for less prominent members of society to climb ranks and earn a higher status, Sir Walter stands by his fixed idea of traditional standings in society through family lineage. I just find it very interesting of the characters varying viewpoints of navigating society and the attitudes or fixed impressions towards traditional values and social standings.
2. Critically Evaluate:
Considering Jane Austen’s Persuasion and the additional reading of Robyn Warhol’s “A Feminist Approach to Narrative,” it really prompted to me to take a deeper look at feminism in the text. As Warhol mentions, there were plenty of instances in Persuasion that presents the characters’ expression of feminist sentiment (12). However, I also sought to look for how the narrative presents preconceived notions of what is acceptable for women of that time and how these are questioned or even if they remain rigidly adhered to.
I particularly liked the point where Warhol states when studying Austen to, “paying attention to what is not represented in the text as well as to what is” (12). This echoes the questions I hope to explore further in class and am ultimately curious about in regards to how others perceived Persuasion in how this narrative was received by Austen’s original audience. Were these feminist notions taboo for the readers of that time or were they at the forefront of everybody’s mind? Becoming normative to the point these were regular issues discussed publicly?
3. Points of discussion for class:
Identifying passages that might have been taboo to Austen’s original readers? How did these ideas or discussions by the characters in the narrative challenge or defend normative/or traditional ideas of early nineteenth-century British society?
How Austen questions the notion of separate spheres? The public and the domestic/private
Overall, I am curious to how Austen’s narrative manages these conversations and issues of debate, which might have been taboo for women, and how their presentation to readers of that time would have been received. I feel the novel presents and addresses some pretty heavy political topics of the time to the public sphere, in some instances challenging notions of society, but I also wonder if perhaps she subverts some concerns or stands by some traditional values to privy favor of that audience.
