山西師范大學(xué)本科畢業(yè)論文

1、<p>　　析《勸導(dǎo)》中金錢(qián)與門(mén)第主導(dǎo)女性婚姻成因</p><p>　　Abstract </p><p>　　Jane Austen, who is the first woman writer, has important position in the English literary history. Her novels reflect the transpositi

2、on from romanticism to realism.</p><p>　　In the dissertation, the author introduces women’s social background in Austen’s age. The research analyzes the factors what women then considered when they married,

3、and the reasons why women in Austen’s times wished to marry a man who was wealthy and of high class. It was an age that the Feudalism transformed into the Capitalism. The sense of class origin was still rooted in people’

4、s mind, and capitalists’ value to money also took its effect. In addition, the primogeniture had existed in Englan</p><p>　　It helps readers to understand women’s attitudes to marriage in that era. It also r

5、eminds young girls in modern society, in which people pursue material things, of that they should take their marriage serious. </p><p>　　Key words: Marriage; Class; Money </p><p><b>　　內(nèi)容摘

6、要 </b></p><p>　　簡(jiǎn)·奧斯汀是英國(guó)文學(xué)史上第一位女作家，她對(duì)英國(guó)的文學(xué)發(fā)展做出了重要貢獻(xiàn)。奧斯汀生活在18世紀(jì)末到19世紀(jì)初，她的小說(shuō)體現(xiàn)了18世紀(jì)末浪漫主義向19世紀(jì)初現(xiàn)實(shí)主義的過(guò)渡。</p><p>　　本文介紹了英國(guó)當(dāng)時(shí)社會(huì)背景下女性處境，分析了小說(shuō)《勸導(dǎo)》中女性在選擇自己的丈夫時(shí)主要考慮因素——金錢(qián)與門(mén)第，揭示了導(dǎo)致當(dāng)時(shí)女性持有這種婚姻觀念的原

7、因。這對(duì)讀者理解18世紀(jì)末到19世紀(jì)初英國(guó)女性在婚姻中所持態(tài)度有一定的指導(dǎo)意義，對(duì)生活在當(dāng)今追求物質(zhì)社會(huì)中的女性同樣具有指導(dǎo)意義。</p><p>　　本論文運(yùn)用綜述性研究方法，通過(guò)查閱現(xiàn)有研究成果，完成了筆者對(duì)簡(jiǎn)·奧斯汀小說(shuō)《勸導(dǎo)》中女性對(duì)婚姻選擇的考慮因素研究，并以此達(dá)到本文的研究目的：分析奧斯汀時(shí)代女性形成金錢(qián)與門(mén)第主導(dǎo)婚姻觀念的原因。當(dāng)時(shí)的英國(guó)正處于工業(yè)革命前期，資本主義快速發(fā)展，資產(chǎn)階級(jí)日漸成

8、為統(tǒng)治階級(jí)。人們的封建思想還根深蒂固，尤其是離倫敦較遠(yuǎn)的鄉(xiāng)村地區(qū)的人們。但同時(shí)這些殘余思想有受到資本主義唯利是圖思想的影響，對(duì)金錢(qián)的狂熱追求也在那個(gè)時(shí)代日漸成風(fēng)。長(zhǎng)嗣繼承制在英國(guó)從中世紀(jì)開(kāi)始就盛行，不僅是約定俗成，更是以法律的形式將這一慣例合法化。這一系列的因素使得那個(gè)年代女性不得不選擇一段有經(jīng)濟(jì)保障的婚姻。</p><p>　　關(guān)鍵字：婚姻；金錢(qián)；門(mén)第</p><p><b>

9、　　Contents</b></p><p>　?、? Introduction1</p><p>　　A. Jane Austen and her works2</p><p>　　B. Background of women in Jane Austen’s times3</p><p>　　C. Plot summar

10、y of Persuasion4</p><p>　　Ⅱ. Factors Affecting Marriage in Persuasion5</p><p>　　A. Wealth and property6</p><p>　　B. Class origin6</p><p>　　C. True love7</p>

11、<p>　?、? Causes of Women’s Views on Marriage in Persuasion8</p><p>　　A. Residual feudal ideas8</p><p>　　B. Emerging capitalism9</p><p>　　C. Primogeniture10</p><

12、p>　?、? Conclusion11</p><p>　　Work cited</p><p>　　Acknowledgements</p><p>　　An Analysis of Reasons for Money and Class Leading Women’s Marriages in Persuasion </p><p&g

13、t;　?、? Introduction </p><p>　　“Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch-hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage (Austen, 1818).” It is written in the beg

14、inning of Persuasion, one of Jane Austen’s novels. The sentence highlights the importance of class and property in this work. Austen interprets that it is unacceptable to marry because of the pursuit of money or class, t

15、hough economic security and social security are important treasures for women in Jane Austen’s times.</p><p>　　Persuasion, the last finished novel before Austen died, portrays a love story that how a lady, t

16、he second daughter of a landed aristocracy, retrieves her true love through overcoming sorts of obstruction and misunderstanding and her seven-year thinking and auto-criticism. It is said that this novel is the reflectio

17、n of the love event of Jane Austen herself. While she was still a young lady like Anne Elliot, Jane Austen was proposed by an Irish man “with a great deal of intelligence, spirit and b</p><p>　　The paper thr

18、ough review research method, analyzes several marriage patterns in the novel and the factors being considered by women on marriage, and discusses the strained relationship between actresses and that earthly society. The

19、dissertation studies the factors influencing women’s choice on marriage and reasons why they make those decisions in Austen’s novel, Persuasion. It is meaningful for readers, especially female readers, to understand how

20、ladies then choose their husbands. </p><p>　　To accomplish the research, the author reads several books for reference: Understanding of Pride and Prejudice, A brief study of Jane Austen’s point of view on ma

21、rriage, Persuasion and Jane Austen’s view on marriage and some unpublished papers of which the theme is about Jane Austen and her works. </p><p>　　This dissertation consists of five parts: the author will sh

22、ow the general background in the first chapter; the factors affecting women’s choice on marriage in Persuasion will be analyzed in the second chapter; the clauses of women’s view on marriage will be introduced in the thi

23、rd chapter; the conclusion of the paper will be provided in the forth chapter. </p><p>　　A. Jane Austen and her works</p><p>　　Jane Austen (16 December 1775-18 July 1817) is the first female Eng

24、lish writer and novelist who contributes to romantic fiction. Austen, an outstanding writer in English literature, achieves her literary success in the literary world. </p><p>　　Austen was the seventh child

25、 of the rector of Steventon. Her family was a well-connected family located on the lower edge of the English landed gentry. She was educated with her sister through exerting her herself in reading and by her father and o

26、lder brothers who gave her the steadfast support when she starting to write. On her way to be a professional writer, she tried writing with various literary forms. From 1811 to 1816, Jane Austen succeeded as a published

27、writer with the release of her s</p><p>　　Jane Austen’s works reflect the daily common life of bourgeoisie at that time. Because of her class origin and living environment, Jane Austen “was so acquainted wit

28、h the life the country and its gentry (Chang, 192)”. So, Austen with her sensitive feeling grasped every detail of life that she might need for her novels. In addition, through her brothers, Jane Austen kept in touch wit

29、h a wider outside world. One of Austen’s brothers became a rich country gentleman, anther one was a banker in Londo</p><p>　　The world made by Austen is not parochial though its item may be confined. It is a

30、 mirror of the world reflecting at large virtues and vices. Austen’s masterpieces explore the process of female teenagers’ self-discovery on the way to love and marriage and analyze the relationship between female charac

31、ters and that society in Jane Austen’s times. These novels being elegantly and ingeniously organized are the records of the transformations from old to modern times. Austen states in Northanger Abbe</p><p>　

32、　B. Background of women in Jane Austen’s times</p><p>　　In Jane Austen’s day, some girls from middle class or higher class learned many subjects, such as French, music, painting and dancing, at private board

33、ing schools. Other girls of the same class were educated at home by their parents or governesses or tutors. However, it was thought that that kind of education was a waste of time for girls. They were able to sing, dance

34、, draw, or speak French or Italian, but the acquisition of accomplishment only aimed to attract a husband. These non-domestic edu</p><p>　　In Jane Austen’s times, “most women could not get money except from

35、inheritance or marriage (Huang, 6).” It was just like heroines in Jane Austen’s novels. If having no marriage and inheritance, women in Jane Austen’s age would have no financial security. Marriage was a way to directly a

36、nd quickly ensure and improve their economic situation and social status. In the 19th century, women in Britain would have a higher social class after they got married than that when they were unmarried. Elizabet</p&g

37、t;<p>　　Before the 18th century, almost half of women in Britain were unmarried because of their financial condition or religion. In the early period of 19th century, more and more ladies got a marriage due to the

38、 Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment Movement, however, there were many women still having no marriage. The reason was that British primogeniture ruled that the eldest son had the priority to heir estate. Therefo

39、re, many young women had to marry to an eldest son, or to be a governess in</p><p>　　In terms of women, marriage is the best ending in Jane Austen’s time. </p><p>　　C. Plot summary of Persuasio

40、n </p><p>　　At the beginning of the story, Anne Elliot, was a nineteen-year-old lovely, thoughtful and warm-hearted girl eight years ago. She is the second daughter of the vain, self-satisfied Sir Walter El

41、liot who is a baronet that is so conscious of his look and rank and extravagates since his wife’s death. Anne is neglected by Sir Walter and Elizabeth, her older sister taking after her father. Mary, Anne’s younger siste

42、r and a nervous and fretful woman, has married to Charles Musgrove of nearby Uppercros</p><p>　　Because of irresponsibility and extravagance, Sir Walter is forced to rent out Kellynch, and Wentworth reenters

43、 Anne’s life. Sir Walter and Elizabeth move to Bath where they hire a pricey house, however, Anne stays with her younger sister in Uppercross. Kellynch’s tenant is Wentworth’s sister and her husband, a retired Admiral Cr

44、oft. Wentworth, which is the man engaging with Anne eight years ago, succeeded in the Napoleonic War and won wealth and property about 25,000 pounds that makes him be a </p><p>　　Anne’s sad life picks up whe

45、n the Musgroves decides to follow Wentworth to visit his friends, Captain Harville and Captain Benwick in Lyme Regis where Anne attracts the attention of a gentleman who is Anne’s father’s heir, William Elliot. Wentworth

46、 is so jealous to it but then Louisa sustains a serious concussion because of her stubborn. Feeling his responsibility for Louisa, he is confused and realizes that he still love Anne. While Louisa recovers her health the

47、re, Anne goes to Bath to be with</p><p>　　Then, the Crofts arrive in Bath with good news that Louisa is engaged to Captain Benwick and Wentworth also comes to Bath. Captain Wentworth wants to renew their acq

48、uaintance. Anne also grasps the chance to reunite their relationship. Ultimately, Anne and Wentworth rebuilt their engagement. </p><p>　?、? Factors Affecting Marriage in Persuasion </p><p&g

49、t;　　Women in Jane Austen’s times concerned about not marriage itself but the benefits from a marriage. Marriage was a trade in a way, and women were manufactured for marriage market and sold to marriage. So when choosing

50、 a husband, women in Austen’s times would consider whether the man had estate and was a noble or not. </p><p>　　A. Wealth and property</p><p>　　It is unavoidable to mention money in Austen’s no

51、vels. The point is also performed in Persuasion. It is a main ethos that caring money on marriage in Austen’s age. Marriage is not about love. There are responsibility and obligation on marriage, and money is the essenti

52、al bond protecting marriage.</p><p>　　In Persuasion, Austen portrays landed gentries or squires’ daily life with visits, walks, horses, conversations, balls and marriage. It is a world determined by economic

53、 base. In the book, property is always mentioned. Wentworth had more than twenty thousand pounds through his success in the naval battle; Charles Musgrove was the heir to a man with landed property; Charles Hayter would

54、step into a freehold property. In marriage, money is considered extremely important. </p><p>　　Elizabeth, Anne’s older sister, while she was a very young girl, intended to marry William Elliot, who married a

55、 rich woman. Because she had no brother and William would heir the Kellynch-hall and her father’s property. Elizabeth thought he was the only person who was suit for her. So when William showed his appreciation to Anne,

56、she was disappointed and cold to Anne. The other sister, Mary, was a attention-seeking and vain woman, married Charles Musgrove beneath her considering that Charles was</p><p>　　In Austen’s age, British laws

57、 ruled that women had no right to own property, all rights to property that she owned would be transferred to her husband when she got married. Thus many a man tried to find a woman owning money. So it was important for

58、a woman to have a property. Money was an exact thing that decided the fate of women in Austen’s times. Money is very important on marriage in that society, and Lady Russel’s reason why she persuaded Anne can be taken as

59、proof. She thought Wentworth wa</p><p>　　B. Class origin</p><p>　　“The social milieu of Austen’s regency England was particularly stratified, and class division were rooted family connections an

60、d wealth (Chu, 198).” Although British government had set up capitalistic system, the sense of equality of condition and rank was still strongly existed in the country. In Auster’s age, the rural class was strictly divid

61、ed into three groups: the landed aristocracy, the gentry and the bourgeois. These rural elites made money mainly by renting lands to tenant farmers. </p><p>　　Sir Walter belonged to the landed aristocracy,

62、while Wentworth was just a naval lieutenant colonel without any wealth and connections to ensure his further rise in his profession. Therefore Sir Walter was opposite to his proposal to Anne because Wentworth was beneath

63、 him and had no wealth. His another daughter, Mary, married a bourgeois’s son whose economic condition was better than that of him, however, he still did not satisfied. He thought that marriage was not suitable to his fa

64、mily and his </p><p>　　Lady Russel who was Anne’s godmother was a widow of a knight. She deeply held the opinion of the equality of family status. She had a preference for aristocracy and senior officers. So

65、, when knowing Anne engages with Wentworth, she opposed strongly and persuaded Anne breaking that agreement. Because eight years ago, Wentworth could not provide financial and social security to Anne. Mary’s idea was the

66、 same as Lady Russel’s, even more critical. Charles Hayter was her husband’s cousin and loved He</p><p>　　Generally, a man of high class has a good property. So if a woman had financial security and social s

67、ecurity in her entire life, she would choose a man of aristocracy or high class as her husband.</p><p>　　C. True love</p><p>　　Not all marriage exists with love, but in Austen’s world love is th

68、e fundament of marriage.</p><p>　　In Persuasion, several marriages without love were not very happy. Mary and Charles married considering money not love, and they did not get along with each other harmonious

69、ly. Charles paid his attention to shotting, calls, picnic and so on. He seldom concerned his wife. Mary inheriting the Elliot self-importance thought she was ignored and abandoned, while Charles had never given her the s

70、ense that she was important. When Anne arrived at Uppercross, she talked with Mary lying on the sofa about </p><p>　　The Crofts was Wentworth’s sister and brother-in-law. They had a happy marriage. Their new

71、-style marriage resulted in an equal and complementary relationship. “Different from the genteel-class family of that time in Britain, Mr. Croft achieves both fame and wealth through his own hard work instead of inherita

72、nce of property; in addition, he respects his wife, treating her as equal(Huang, 6).” They carried out their duties on their marriage. The Crofts respected and loved each other. Austen suppo</p><p>　　When me

73、eting Wentworth, Henrietta had engaged with her cousin. However, she was attracted by Wentworth’s appearance and temperature. Definitely, she was fascinated by his wealth of 20,000 pounds. That causes that she once broke

74、 her engagement. Henrietta just like most of young girls expected to have a rich husband, but Hayter was a curacy and from inferior class. However, she finally chose Hayter just because she still loved him. Love defeats

75、money. </p><p>　?、? Causes of Women’s Views on Marriage in Persuasion </p><p>　　A. Residual feudal ideas</p><p>　　Jane Austen lived in the time when “Britain was at

76、the period of transition from the early stage of Capitalism to Capitalist Industrialization (Chu, 198)”. However, the development of Capitalism did not affect the rural world too much, and the power and privilege of the

77、aristocracy family still deeply existed in the countryside. That the Bourgeois Revolution compromised the throne resulted in lots of feudal residua. </p><p>　　Equality of condition and rank was one of the un

78、avoidable factors in aristocracy family’s marriage. One family always got touch with another one that may have more power and higher status if it had an intention to strengthen its interest, reputation or status. The way

79、 usually was that the two family united by marriage. The will of brides and grooms was hardly taken into account. Facing this kind of marriage, girls could not do anything but took their parents’ advice. Marriage was a k

80、ind of trade</p><p>　　In Austen’s age, girls of middle class or higher class were almost educated well. If these educated women did not marry or had no fortune, they would need earn their own living. But few

81、 occupations opened to women at that time. What they could do was just to be a governess or writer. Nevertheless, considering the general mood, seldom women of the gentry did these works. </p><p>　　Kinds of

82、worldly realities forced women in Austen’s times to choose a rich man as their husbands and a marriage without love and happiness. Women’s then had no choice but marriage or inheritance of property to secure their financ

83、e in the entire life. A man of the aristocracy was usually rich. So, when women attracted a man, they would think over the man’s class origin. </p><p>　　B. Emerging capitalism</p><p>　　In the e

84、arly period of the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution affected all aspects of British society. Bourgeoisies became the main property owner and expanded quickly. Money gets more and more important in people’s mind. T

85、he change of the social environment influenced the opinion. The money conception of Capitalism is that money is above everything, and the idea influenced the young living in the country when the bourgeoisie tended to buy

86、ing property there.</p><p>　　With the Industrial Revolution, the group of the emerging bourgeoisie gradually expended and became the ruling class. To accumulate their wealth, the bourgeoisie took up the Encl

87、osure Movement that made many landed gentry family lose their living source. The number of the feudal landlord class decreased, and it was more difficult for women to marry a man with some property, especially for the wo

88、men in the country. </p><p>　　William Elliot was a typical character in Persuasion, which was terribly effected by the Capitalism thought. He once studied in London and contacted more bourgeoisie life-style

89、and statements. So he married a rich woman whom he did not love, because he needed money to stand alone. To achieve his goal, he broke the relation with his uncle. When his wife died, he thought he reconciled the connect

90、ion with Sir Walter to insure his right to the Kellynch and its property. When he knew Lady Clay might </p><p>　　Definitely, the bourgeoisie became the ruling class. Many of them were conferred titles and st

91、epped into the rank of upper class. Like Lord St. Ives whose father was a country curate, was titled owing to his performance in the war. He achieved the reputation, status and wealth through his hard work. But, it was t

92、he Bourgeois Revolution provided the chance for him to be rich. As the result of the Industrial Revolution, British overseas colonization intensified and fought with Netherland, Spain an</p><p>　　The pursuit

93、 of money had been the mainstream in that society. It could not be avoided among women. </p><p>　　C. Primogeniture</p><p>　　“Because of general adherence to the practice of primogeniture within

94、British society the head of house role within the family was usually filled by the eldest living male in the main line of descent (Teachman, 63).” Primogeniture means that the eldest son of a family inherits his father’s

95、 estate. It was both legal and conventional in 18th and 19th century England. </p><p>　　To protect the interest of the family, a man’s estate was inherited by his eldest son or males in more distance branche

96、s of the family, not his daughters. Because if daughters got married, their property from fathers would transferred to their husband. “The head of the family lived on the property, collected income from it and the other

97、family investments (Teachman. 64)”. They needed to protect the estate for the next generation. </p><p>　　Sir Walter had no son but three daughters and his wife was dead. So his property would be inherited by

98、 his nephew William. His daughters only could get a portion if they got married. However, his extravagance made him have no financial capability to leave his daughters dowry. His girls had to married a man with property.