Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in English

Department

English

First Advisor

Carnell, Rachel

Second Advisor

Dyer, Gary

Third Advisor

Sonstegard, Adam

Abstract

Jane Austen was known to have read and admired the work of Samuel Richardson. Many critics have discussed the connection between the work of both authors, but few have commented on their depiction of pride and vanity. Richardson in Pamela (1740) depicts pride (especially through men) as proper when one is proud of their family and thus acts in a way that would accurately represent their family values without portraying superiority. Seven decades later, Austen critiques Richardson’s expression of pride and vanity by portraying a much more nuanced definition of the two in her famous novel Pride and Prejudice (1813), coining the terms “proper” and “improper” pride. Mary Bennet, near the beginning of the novel, clearly defines the terms “pride” and “vanity”, setting up the reader to question and refer to those definitions as the novel progresses. While Richardson’s and Austen’s expression of pride and vanity in their novels differ, they seemingly agree that male vanity must be outgrown by male characters for a marriage plot novel to reach completion (i.e., a happily-ever-after). Both novelists suggest that male vanity more often poses complications in middle-upper class societies of their times. Thus, both Richardson and Austen shift the focus away from a more common understanding– that female pride and vanity is the source of all challenges.

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