Jane Austen's Social Satire

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that although the literary genre of satire, whether politically or socially oriented, is often associated with liberal politics, Jane Austen's novel "Northanger Abbey" demonstrates that satire can also be fundamentally conservative in its political and social aims. The writer points out that Austen's satire in the form of a novel upholds conventional English notions about gender, literature, class, and social mobility by demonstrating the folly that occurs when female propriety, the correct attitude to literature, and class boundaries are transgressed. The writer concludes that Austen frowns upon anything that is disruptive or might change the English social and religious author as eulogized so eloquently by the character Henry.

From the Paper:

"The correct way to read gothic novels is in moderation, neither at the extremes of belief or disbelief of Catherine or Thorpe, and never as models of how society could or should function. Catherine misreads novels because she is immoderately seeped in female influence, in her books and friendships, and John Thorpe misreads novels because he does not care about the arts, good manners or refinement, and is merely trying to elevate his class and financial status through marriage--social mobility through marriage and an ostentatious appearance of course is another sin for Austen. Austen only approves of the sober, male judgment and upholding of class, religious, a moderate but approving attitude towards the arts, and national values, as espoused in the views of Henry."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Austen, Jane. Northanger Abbey. 1803. Full e-text available at Litrix.com. Last updated 2003. 10 Apr 2006 <http://www.litrix.com/northngr/north001.htm??

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