Jane Austen : neoclassicism versus romanticism

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 Austen’s 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

. . .
’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. ”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 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. 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. 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. As the rules for proper writing should be followed, so should the rules for civilized conduct in society. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone forever. 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. By contrast, Neoclassicism theorists saw man as an imperfect being, inherently sinful, whose potential was limited.

The indecision of whether or not Austen was a Neoclassical or Romantic writer was evident in her own work as well. Within her writing style she utilises generalizations, abstraction and balance. 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. 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. The constant use of balanced sentences and paragraphs helps to maintain the concept that logic and order are necessary and important values. 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.

Common topics in this essay:
Jane Austen, Jane Austens, Renaissance Neoclassicism, Ferrars Marianne, Schlegel German, Neo-classicism Romanticism, Dashwood Elinor, Neoclassical Romantic, , Greek Roman, jane austen, eighteenth century, edward ferrars, feelings edward, neoclassicism movement, common sense, nineteenth century, reason restraint, established social,

Approximate Word count = 1486
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here