Austen's Messy Men: Masculinity, Courtship, and Chesterfield

Offering insightful, close readings through the lens of contemporary masculinity studies, Kit Kincade explores Austen's male heroes and rivals and reveal what makes them so fascinating.

Using standards of manly etiquette defined in Lord Chesterfield's Letters to His Son, Kit Kincade argues that Austen's heroes struggle, and frequently fail, to meet the benchmarks prescribed by society. Yet, it is this clash of standards versus application that renders all of her men more realistic in portrayal than any previous novelist. Austen is commenting, though through these characters, on society's rules for and about class and masculine identity, and the difficulties inherent in achieving these goals.

Kincade combines sociological and Marxist approaches to define the figure of the "gentleman" through masculinity studies and perceptions of social class. Using this combination of filters, Austen's male characters can be seen as faithful portrayals of men who struggle, and often fail, at fulfilling all of the requirements of the polite English gentlemen. Yet it is these flawed human characters who fascinate and engage readers' attention.