In previous Austen novels, women are driven to marriage in order to improve their
social class or secure their social status. Marianne and Elinor must marry to ensure their financial
security; Fanny marries to secure her place in society. In Persuasion,
female characters court and marry and marriage is used to measure social
status. Persuasion also provides a way for male characters to move up the
social ladder. In chapter three, while
discussing possible tenants, Mr. Shepard highlights that many Navy men will
return home from service. Mr. Shepard speaks highly of Navy men because
they are very careful about their property and possessions. The family then embarks on a
conversation about the positive characteristics of a man in the Navy. They assume that all men in the navy
are hard workers and that they, as English citizens, must be grateful for the service men's efforts. Through this
conversation, Austen introduces an opportunity for men to move up in the social
ladder. While women can marry men
of higher rank to reach a higher status; men can join the services to reach
higher regards. However, Sir
Walter the Navy promotes people of lowly birth to an “undue distinction.” Moreover, service ruins a young man’s
looks. In this way, Sir Walter
comments on the social mobility that the Navy allows for. Did anyone else notice this resentment
toward male social mobility? Do you think that this is similar or different
than Austen’s commentary on marriage in previous texts?
Yes, Sir Walter seemed very against any form of men moving up the social ladder, probably because he did not want anyone to be rising to his distinction. I agree that Austen seems to broadening her discussion in this text from female mobility to also male mobility. The juxtaposition between the respect given to the navy with the disdain for their social climbing seems like it could be applied to an even broader context. As titles fell to less importance, society favors and cheers for the underdog, "American dream" persona who works for what he earns (much like the Navy men), yet when these efforts shake the superiority of the upperclass an instant resentment and fear comes about, as their position in society is threatened. Austen very correctly portrayed one of these high society figures in Sir Walter.
ReplyDeleteI thought that discussion was very interesting. I also found it interesting how it was proved wrong once the Musgroves meet Admiral and Mrs. Croft. Anne describes Mrs. Croft not in the traditional terms of beauty but with much admiration saying, "Mrs. Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness, and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She had bright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face..." (84). She does mention how the sea has aged her some but this is a very positive description. However, when she meets Wentworth again she declares him wholly unchanged by the sea (95). Obviously years at sea effect a person but not so negatively as the Elliots would believe. Also, the Musgroves, who are not baronets but certainly gentlemen, love the Crofts. Perhaps this disdain for Navy men and their social mobility only comes from the silly and proud, like the Elliots.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about how women marry in order to move up the social ladder made me stop and think about the possibilities for social mobility for men in the Victorian era. I don't think that men often married a wealthy girl and were then put on a higher rung of the social ladder. Rather, men were responsible for establishing themselves and then bringing wives up to their status. We haven't discussed the pressure society put on men much in class. It's interesting that Austen would so blatantly include an example of male social mobility through the navy. This reference suggests that Austen is not only critical of how society limits women but also how society only favors the aristocratic, old money families. Sir Walter's snide remark about the Navy reinforces the Victorian value of nobility over hard work. Austen leads us to wonder if there is any honorable way to improve one's station, or are the privileged the only ones worthy of money and class?
ReplyDelete