Education in the 18th Century

Paper Summary:

Eliza Haywood and Henry Fielding both wrote 18th century novels which explored the social mores of high and low society at the time. What is intriguing is how they approached the subject of education, particularly through Haywood's "The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless" and Fielding's "Joseph Andrews and Shamela." The differing objectives to educating the sexes are explored as well as the possible consequences of obtaining an education are proffered.

From the Paper:

"Education is indirectly explored in Haywood's "The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless." The heroine spends her formative years in a boarding school, "the governess of which had the reputation of a woman of great good sense, fine breeding, and every way qualified for the well forming of the minds of those young persons who were entrusted to her care. [Her father] was so well pleased with having placed his daughter where she was likely to improve in all the accomplishments befitting her sex." (Haywood, 9) Through the misadventures of Miss Betsy Thoughtless, Haywood implies that one of the reasons why a girl should be educated would be to enhance her chances of securing a good marriage (then the only means of climbing the social ladder or attaining an accomplishment recognized by society)."

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