Monday, April 9, 2012
Don't Doubt the Nouveau Riche
I think Kate is right in her observation of male social mobility and how service is viewed as an avenue for people who could not reach a certain social standing otherwise. Anne's first love, Wentworth, is snubbed by her friends and family. She is criticized for indulging someone characterized by a lack of money and clout. What I found interesting is like Kate mentioned, those who gain wealth and admiration through service are referred to as just people of lowly birth promoted to an undue distinction, as characterized by Sir Walter. This "undue distinction" is definitely questionable because after the Napoleonic Wars Wentworth is worth £25,000 which is about £2.5 million today. Not too shabby for someone who was turned down years earlier for not being up to snuff. Another thing that struck me was not only did they look down upon and doubt Wentworth's potential, he proved to be smarter than the Elliot's who see their fortune begin to diminish. Wentworth's success despite his lack of inheritance speaks to the transition from old money like Sir Walter to the presence of new money in society during that time. The condescending tone taken towards those whose fathers didn't set them up for life is about to be reevaluated. Anne feels regret and knows she made a mistake, reflecting how Austen's 'rags to riches' story was not admirable like it is by today's standards.
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This is very interesting and something I had not considered. I did not notice the difference between the Elliot's losing wealth and Wentworth gaining it. It brought me to a point in the first volume on page 118 when Louisa is talking to Wentworth. She says about Mary, "sometimes she provoke me excessively...she has a great too much of the Elliot pride." The Elliots are proud but it just annoys others. Anne also observes when she moves to Uppercross that nobody is discussing the events at Kellynch Hall. She says on page 78 that she wished other Elliots "could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at Kellynch-hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading interest..." It seems to me a lot of the disdain for men who make their own fortune comes from a self-absorbed, often obnoxious, pride.
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