Jane Austen´s Representation of Morality and Conduct in "Mansfield Park" and "Persuasion"

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Morality and Faith

3. Morality and Conduct

4. Morality and Public

5. Morality and Love

6. Morality and Family

7. Conclusion

8. Austen´s Morality and Conduct in School

Research Objectives and Themes

This master thesis aims to analyze Jane Austen's representation of morality and conduct in her novels Mansfield Park and Persuasion, examining how these works reflect social values during the English Regency and Victorian periods. The study investigates the tension between inner moral values and outer social behavior, specifically focusing on the development of the heroines, Fanny Price and Anne Elliot, within the rigid expectations of their time.

• The influence of Christian principles and conduct books on Regency society.
• The conceptual distinction between inner morality and public conduct.
• The representation of gender-specific roles and expectations regarding marriage and love.
• The impact of social status and class boundaries on individual agency and reputation.
• Pedagogical approaches for teaching these historical moral frameworks in modern secondary education.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the thesis, defining morality and conduct within the context of the Regency period and introducing the primary texts and supplemental conduct books.

2. Morality and Faith: This section examines the role of Christian principles in guiding character behavior and the social consequences for those who deviate from these moral expectations.

3. Morality and Conduct: This chapter analyzes societal expectations for femininity and masculinity, exploring how characters adhere to or subvert notions of modesty, shyness, and proper deportment.

4. Morality and Public: This chapter discusses the necessity of maintaining appropriate behavior in public spheres and the consequences of violating social norms, particularly regarding reputation.

5. Morality and Love: This chapter investigates the connection between marriage, social status, and personal morality, focusing on how heroines navigate romantic expectations versus their own desires.

6. Morality and Family: This chapter explores familial responsibilities and the impact of parental guidance or negligence on the development of children's morality and social standing.

7. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, highlighting how Austen’s heroines achieve greater autonomy through a realistic and unsentimental understanding of their moral environment.

8. Austen´s Morality and Conduct in School: This chapter addresses the challenges of teaching these historical concepts to contemporary students and suggests methods for bridging the gap between Regency values and modern perspectives.

Keywords

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Morality, Conduct, Regency Period, Femininity, Social Status, Marriage, Christian Principles, Victorian Era, Autonomy, Reputation, Education, Conduct Books

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?

The work examines Jane Austen's portrayal of moral values and behavioral expectations in Mansfield Park and Persuasion during the English Regency and Victorian periods.

What are the central thematic areas covered?

The research explores the intersections of morality with faith, public life, love and marriage, and familial responsibility, all analyzed through the lens of historical conduct literature.

What is the primary objective of this study?

The main goal is to understand how Austen’s heroines, Fanny Price and Anne Elliot, develop autonomy by reconciling their inner values with rigid social standards.

Which scientific or analytical method is utilized?

The author uses a comparative literary analysis, pairing Austen’s novels with historical conduct books of the time to validate and contextualize the behavioral observations found within the fiction.

What is examined in the main part of the thesis?

The main body breaks down specific aspects of life—faith, social behavior, love, and family—analyzing how characters conform to or fail to meet the moral standards of their society.

Which keywords best characterize this research?

Key terms include Jane Austen, Morality, Conduct, Social Status, Regency Period, Autonomy, and Marriage.

How do modern teenage magazines compare to historical conduct books?

The thesis compares contemporary advice in magazines like Girl with 19th-century conduct books, noting that while the mediums change, the underlying insecurity regarding social expectations remains a consistent youth challenge.

Why is it difficult for modern pupils to interpret Austen’s work?

Students today often struggle to understand the nuances of status, reputation, and income that dictated the decisions of Austen’s characters, as modern youth value more personal, self-directed social interactions.