Jane Austen : neoclassicism versus romanticism At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance perceived. This passage in which Elinor describes the qualities of Edward Ferrars illustrates the fine line that Jane Austen walks between Neo-classicism and Romanticism. Her subject to whom much emotion is devoted is an archetypal Romantic subject, yet Austens syntax, choice of words and manner in which it is written embraces the Neo-classical method of writing. The Neoclassical movement embodied a group of attitudes toward art and human existence–ideals of order, logic, restraint, correctness, decorum, and so on, which would enable the practitioners of various arts to imitate or reproduce the structures and themes of Greek or Roman origin. Neoclassicism dominated English literature from the Restoration in 1660 until the end of the eighteenth century, when the publication of Lyrical Ballads (1798) by Wordsworth and Coleridge marked the full emergence of Romanticism. Up to a point, Neoclassicism rejected the views of optimism, enthusiasm and exuberance of the Renaissance. Neoclassicism also represented a reaction the Renaissance view that, fundamentally, man was good with and abundance of potential for spiritual and intellectual development.
By contrast, Neoclassicism theorists saw man as an imperfect being, inherently sinful, whose potential was limited. They replaced the Renaissance emphasis on the imagination, on invention and experimentation, and on mysticism with an emphasis on order and reason, on restraint, on common sense, and on religious, political, economic and philosophical conservatism. They maintained that man himself was the most appropriate subject of art, and saw art itself as essentially pragmatic–as valuable because it was somehow useful–and as something, which was properly intellectual rather than emotional. The period, which held a marked reaction against Neoclassicism, was a movement in the late eighteenth to nineteenth century known as Romanticism. Friedrich Schlegel, a German poet describes Romanticism as “literature depicting emotional matter in an imaginative form.” Imagination, emotion, and freedom are the focal points of romanticism and the subjects usually focused on individualism; spontaneity; freedom from rules; solitary life rather than life in society; the beliefs that imagination is superior to reason and devotion to beauty; love of and worship of nature; and fascination with the past, especially the myths and mysticism of the middle ages. At a time when these movements were merging into each other, Jane Austen was deep into writing her novels being influenced by both these movements as well as Augustanism; characteristic of the literary period noted for refinement in the eighteenth century; and Anti-Romanticism which had to do with the rejection of emotive language and idealism but the encouragement or order, discipline and constraint.
The Essay on Relationship analysis of the Baroque and Romantic Art Movements
Baroque art movement started in the 17th century extending to early 18th century and led to the Rococo, Neoclassical and then to Romanticism art movement. The styles of Baroque period began in Rome, Italy and later spread to most parts of Europe. Romanticism movement began in Europe in the late 18th century and extended to mid-19th century leading to Realism art Period. The name Baroque is ...
Although Austen wrote in the first half of the nineteenth century, she does not indulge in wide panoramas, or in the sentimental or passionate tales , that was customary with writers of her time. She is compared more closely to the novelists of the eighteenth century whose beliefs said that stories should be accompanied by morals and the world was meant to be an impartial, rational place where the mind should preside over the heart. Her classicism arises from respect for the sane, clear-sighted judgement of the Augustan age that preceded her, but her vitality is enhanced by the romanticism of her own period. This is clearly illustrated by Elinors reaction to Mariannes dilemma with Willoughby, Much as you suffer now, think of what you would have suffered if the discovery of his character had been delayed to a later period- The classical ideals of order and moderation, which inspired Neoclassicism, its realistically limited aspirations, and its emphasis on the common sense of society rather than individual imagination, could all be characterized as rational. And, indeed, it is often known as the Age of Reason. Jane Austen, was interested in order and in the rule over reason over feelings and passions, the evidence for this lies in the language that she uses. Within her writing style she utilises generalizations, abstraction and balance.
The Essay on Jane Eyre Character
“The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others” said Henry Ward Beecher. Everyone has some type of influence on another, whether it is big or small, good or bad. For example, outside influences, such as other characters, can affect a characters actions and thoughts in either a positive or negative way. In the novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Bronte, many ...
The use of generalisations helps to support the morals of the era and allow Austen to give her comment on situations. And sometimes while echoing the truth of a situation, the way in which she generalises seems to question it by way of emphasis. Her emphasis on wealth and stature in society and the selfish mentality of many is portrayed through fanny Dashwood, that when the money is parted with it can never return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone forever.5 Habitually, an abstraction in the appearance of a scheme or emotion is used instead of making a direct reference to character, in order to distance or lessen the effect of strong feelings. Elinor on her feelings toward Edward, I do not attempt to deny that I think very highly of him-6 A feature commonly noted in Jane Austens style is that of rhetorical balance. The constant use of balanced sentences and paragraphs helps to maintain the concept that logic and order are necessary and important values.
Neoclassical writers saw themselves, as well as their readers and characters, above all as members of society. Social institutions might be foolish or corrupt–indeed, given the intrinsic limitations of human nature, they probably were–but the individual who rebelled against custom or asserted his superiority to humankind was presented as presumptuous and absurd. While Renaissance writers were sometimes fascinated by rebels, and later Romantic artists often glorified them, neoclassical artists expected people to conform to established social norms. For individual opinion was far less likely to be true than was the consensus of society, developed over time and embodied in custom and tradition. As the rules for proper writing should be followed, so should the rules for civilized conduct in society. Although Jane Austen did not advocate blind following of convention, she did insist that good manners were of utmost importance as a manifestation of self-control and respect for others. Henceforth it was only natural that Jane Austen discusses the follies of the society that she was a part of as well as the individuals who were a part of it.
The Essay on Society Jane Eyre
Shelley Abernethy April 1, 1999 CP English IV Ms. Wade Society Often writers create works which are parallel to their societies in which they live. Charlotte Bronte was one of those authors. In most of her books she used elements of her life experiences even though her books were not autobiographical. She portrayed relationships between men and women, school conditions, and women's positions. Jane ...
She is well aware of the emerging individualistic tendencies of the period and through her novels is arguing the requirement for the reinvigoration of the established social hierarchy and to protect society against unscrupulous individualism.7 However, while Jane Austen promotes order and is particularly stringent about manners, she introduces new mannerisms into society that a born from suffocated emotions that is typically of Romantic origin. An example to illustrate this point would be the novel idea of Marianne confronting Willoughby at the party to question him about his intentions. Although this is a breach in the all too ridiculous conduct of the times, Austen relates this scene in such a way that Marianne is, for one of the few times, regarded as strong in character. This gives rise to a new perception that Austen may well have been one of the budding feminists of the times. The indecision of whether or not Austen was a Neoclassical or Romantic writer was evident in her own work as well. The dichotomy between sense and sensibility is one of the lenses through which this novel is most commonly analysed and the distinction is most clearly symbolized by the psychological contrast between the novel’s two chief characters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Elinor representing the ideals of sense and the Neoclassicism movement being, reason, restraint, social responsibility, and a clear-headed concern for the welfare of others, while Marianne displays the ideals of sensibility and the Romantic period, emotion, spontaneity, impulsiveness, and rapturous devotion.
Where Elinor would try to hide her feelings for Edward Ferrars; Marianne candidly expresses her feelings for Willoughby, crying out after his rejection, I care not who knows that I am wretched.8 Her obvious displeasure with society who was enraptured with wealth and status was displayed through her wit and satire by making whimsical figures of those who were deeply a part of that culture, exaggerating at times into indulgence of words through rhetoric and satire. Sharp and brilliant wit, produced within the clearly defined ideals of neoclassical art, and focused on people in their social context, makes this perhaps the world’s greatest age of comedy and satire. Thus Austen makes her contribution to society on the topics of feminism, individuality, a budding society through the new economy. Jane Austen it can therefore be said writes about Romantic subjects in a predominantly Neoclassical style. She presents glimmers of the Romantic ideal of sublime disorder in artistic Neoclassical order. Approximate Word count = 1486 Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced) Bibliography Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Penguin Popular Classics The Story of English Literature, Macmillan Burns and McNamara, Literature- a close study, Macmillan Myra Stokes, The Language of Jane Austen, Macmillan Margaret Stonyk, Nineteenth Century English Literature, Macmillan http://www.sparknotes.com http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/previctorian /nc/ncintro.html http://www.yale.edu/yup/books/079168.htm.
The Essay on Living in a multicultural society takes time
‘Living in a multicultural society takes time.’ To what extend is this illustrated by the challenge of multicultural societies in the UK? (40) A multicultural society is the status of several different ethnic, racial, religious or cultural groups coexisting in harmony in the same society. From the early 19th century people have immigrated to England, developing its diversity. During World War 2 ...
