1. The Victorian Era

2. The 18th Century
There were many closer heirs to Anne, but they were all Catholic; As a result, George’s reign was questioned by the Catholics; deposing was attempted and failed.

3. “I am Not Amused”

4. High Society (social Class)
Upper class; elite; socialites
In the Victorian Era
Valued: history, heritage, lineage and the continuity of their family line.
Believed:
born to rule through divine right
Noblesse Oblige the Elite's duty to take care of society
Hoped: to continue tradition and the status quo
primogeniture (first born son inherits everything)
Enjoyed a life of luxury and leisure
Owned most everything around
By the late Victorian period—the middle class was only beginning to be recognized

5. Jane Austen
The Art of Social Commentary in Pre-Victorian and Victorian British Society

6. PERSUADE Social Commentary
Expressing one’s thoughts and views for the betterment of society…
Purpose?
PERSUADE

7. Jane Austen
Remained unmarried, but wrote about the institution of marriage with remarkable insight.
Was proposed to at least once; turned him down
Devoted to her family; corresponded with them often
Daughter of a clergyman in a family of eight children

8. Anonymous…but why?
Published anonymously—most women of her time did, because to be a published woman was very vulgar—women were meant to be genteel

9. Social Commentary Main focus: absurdities of social life
Medium: satirical
Intention: make brilliant observations on human nature and shows a gift for contriving dramatic situations.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Pride and Prejudice)

10. Unconscious or conscious?
when a writer points to a problem caused by social customs without explicitly challenging those customs.
conscious
when a writer directly attributes a problem to social customs.

11. “On Making an Agreeable Marriage”
A letter from an Aunt to a Niece
Primary or Secondary source?
Why do we need to establish this?
Purpose of a letter?
Inform of the going ons in life
Entertain with stories
Persuade one to take advice

12. As we Read…
Author’s tone
Author’s Purpose
Your Reaction

13. Courtship in the 19th Century
Love
Compatibility
Money
Respectability
Examples from letter
Importance

14. What does this tell us about courtship and marriage?