Abstract
The paper discusses how in the early nineteeth century, young middle-class men and women possessed a degree of autonomy and privacy that permitted them to develop a level of closeness in their relationships with each other. The paper describes how in this era, candor became both a sign and a safeguard of intimacy and, as such, those individuals immersed in the excitement of a relationship would feel free to express their feelings, open in what they said and how they behaved. Yet, the paper asserts that in order to understand courtship during this time, we must separate sex and romance as two distinct entities. To evaluate the evidence drawn from diaries, letters and other personal documents, the paper shows how it becomes apparent that individuals during this time had a greater opportunity for education, material security and professional achievement than most young Americans did almost one hundred years later. The paper discusses how with the nature of social circumstances being what they were in these different generations, the nature of courtship was subsequently affected.

From the Paper
"In the early nineteeth century, young middle-class men and women possessed a degree of autonomy and privacy that permitted them to develop a level of closeness in their relationships with each other. In this era, candor became both a sign and a safeguard of intimacy and, as such, those individuals immersed in the excitement of a relationship would feel free..."

Tags:courtship, sexuality, ritual

Abstract
This paper examines marriage, courtship and the lives and roles of young women in children's literature from various cultures. The texts considered are African, Chinese. Japanese and Russian. In traditional tales women are subordinate to male characters in the role of wife, mother and temptress.

Abstract
Examines changes in terms of economics, power and control. Explores the historical struggle between the sexes, struggles over meanings and sex and gender, and increased freedom for men and women in modern gender relations.

From the Paper
"In The History of Sexuality, Michel Foucault argues that sexuality and sexual conduct are not natural categories. In other words, they have no basis in reality. Instead, these categories are a product of social ...'

Abstract
This paper discusses the play, "The Man of Mode", by Sir George Etherege, as a story about the courtship rituals that are present in society and how these rituals are a result of stereotypical gender roles. The paper specifically discusses the protagonists in the plot and their relationships and then suggests that the play calls into question the social conventions that are present in society.

From the Paper
"The only difference between Harriet and Young Bellaire and the rest of society is that they are fully aware that they are acting and they are not doing so with the purpose of fooling each other. Over the course of Act III, the protagonists become more and more aware of the roles that they are supposed to fill in society and, with this awareness, they become more and more defiant towards these roles. These two characters develop into people who will actively question what is expected of them because they do not believe that these expectations are correct. Through the interaction between and subsequent development of Harriet and Young Bellaire, "The Man of Mode" shows the audience that the status quo is not always the best method of proceeding in life."

Tags:plot, character, protagonist, gender, society

Abstract
This paper compares "Jane Eyre" and "Pride and Prejudice" as a way to explore the social customs of Victorian England. Specifically, these two novels express the conflicts of love and passion with the social rules for courtship and marriage. Both novels portray how social expectations of behavior contradict the personal emotions of relationships and how these produce great emotional struggles that must be reconciled. In an era where passion and marriage are not enabled in the social sphere of Victorian customs, love becomes a conflict.

Abstract
The paper identifies Jane Austen's perspective on marriage in her personal life, Charlotte Lucas' views on marriage, and the views of other characters in "Pride and Prejudice". The paper discusses the different feelings regarding marriage and posits that, ultimately, each person has the right to choose his own path. The paper concludes that Jane Austen marvelously captures the struggle of the heart and the mind in the quest for love and fulfillment.

From the Paper
"Jane Austen's perspective on marriage in her personal life is opposite to that of Charlotte Lucas. Furthermore the novel Pride and Prejudice was written in a period where marriage was considered as securing a social position that would benefit both families involved. The concept of love rarely entered the equation of courtship and marriage (www.pemberley.com). This perspective is clearly evident when Austen was the same age as Charlotte Lucas and given a proposal of marriage by "Harris Bigg-Wither...But in spite of the temptation of marriage ...She decided not to marry him without love" (Grey, 1986: 287)."

Tags:love, fulfillment, happiness, financial, security

Abstract
Discusses changing male/female encounters and Beth Bailey's explanation of the social meaning in her book, "From Front Porch to Back Seat: Effects of a Consumer Society". Examines other theories, including the political/economic.

From the Paper
"Beth Bailey's text From Front Porch to Back Seat on the dating system in early 20th Century America-before the sexual revolution of the late 1960s-attempts to explain the social meaning of the transition from "calling" to "dating." A man "called" on a ..."

Abstract
This paper analyzes the pairings of the three couples in the story: One relationship is based on financial convenience, one on a happy affinity between two people and one on the deep bond resulting from the slow and tumultuous development of a friendship. The author contrasts the atmosphere of the "marriage market" that dominates the setting of the novel.

Abstract
This paper closely examines gender roles and their effect on relationships in "Taming of the Shrew". The paper discusses the courtship and marriage of two couples, Katherine and Petruccio and Lucentio and Bianca, and shows how Katherine and Petruccio's contentious personalities, and non-traditional courtship leads them to a deeper and more satisfactory union than the more orthodox Bianca and Lucentio share. The paper brings out how conformity to standard gender roles can lead to a relationship based on false ideals.

From the Paper
"In Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare explores gender roles and their effect on relationships. The play chronicles the courtship and marriage of two couples, Katherine and Petruccio, then Lucentio and Bianca. Initially it seems that Lucentio and Bianca have the ideal relationship and that Petruccio will be miserable with Katherine the titular shrew. This however is not the case. The play exposes the ways in which conformity to standard gender roles can lead to a relationship based on false ideals. While Katherine and Petruccio may not have had a traditional start to their relationship they are honest with one another. In contrast Bianca and Lucentio find themselves in what ultimately appears to be an unhappy marriage."

Tags:Katherine, Petruccio, Lucentio, Bianca, courtship, gender, roles

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the courtship styles of Rochester in Charlotte Bronte's novel, "Jane Eyre," and Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". It shows that, although the style and tactics in courtship were wielded differently by Rochester and Mr. Darcy in their pursuit of the women that they loved, patience did play a large part in both men's characters.

From the Paper
"Both Bronte's Jane Eyre and Austen's Pride and Prejudice are in the style of romance and naturally are based around the workings and events expressed within the romance. Bronte's Jane Eyre is a story of a young orphan who manages to find her way in the world because she was abused to the point of having nothing left but to stand up for herself and is a story of opposites such as would be ice and fire which are symbolized throughout the story. Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a story of several daughters of a 'near' upper class family whose estate will not stay with the daughters but revert to a cousin upon the death of their father."

Tags:courtship, styles, elizabeth, bennet