Sense, Sensibility, Sympathy, Social Class Upheaval in Jane Austen’s Novels

<p>This thesis will explore Jane Austen’s social commentary on class structure and boundaries as they evolved from her writing of Sense and Sensibility to Persuasion. By identifying and researching the philosophical concepts of sense, sensibility, and sympathy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, I examine how Austen shifted her beliefs to reflect the changes in social class occurring in England during her lifetime. I will be conducting close readings of the two novels, along with various historical texts, diary entries, and letters from the time period in question in order to recognize how historical events influenced the social structure in Regency England and how those changes were received by the gentry. By looking at how Austen’s characters react to, reflect on, and work around these boundaries, I recover a better understanding of Regency England society’s feelings and response to these changes as well.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in English

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Libby, Megan M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• <p>Dr. Halina Adams, PhD</p> <p>Dr. Elizabeth Veisz, PhD</p> <p>Dr. Kathleen Vejvoda, PhD</p>

• English Language and Literature
• Jane Austen
• Class Structure
• Boundaries
• England
• Diary Entries
• Regency England

Repository record dc:identifier

https://vc.bridgew.edu/theses/77

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vc.bridgew.edu:theses-1077