Malthusian Reading of Jane Austen - Research Proposal Example

Malthusian Reading of Jane Austen Thomas Robert Malthus was a of History and Political Economy who is best known for his outlandish philosophies and his essay on the Principle of Population in 1805 AD but he became well known for his theories in the history of population studies. It was in this essay that the development of the Malthusian Theory. In his theory, he made unique assumptions such as human beings have great potentialities to produce children, in agriculture Law of Diminishing Returns operates, human beings will need food to eat, and passion between sexes is necessary and unavoidable. While some of his theories have been proven, many have also been disproven over time. These ideas were considered very controversial because he felt these drives would naturally create an imbalance in population and means of subsistence. Therefore, he proposed that in order to control the population, people need to control birth to prevent uncontrolled population growth. Some of his suggestions included delaying marriage until later in life and even abstinence. Malthus thought if these were not controlled then ultimately this population problem would instigate wars, famine, natural calamities. It is these things nature would be forced to use in order promote death to balance in population. In reading the novels of Jane Austen, there is a Malthusian approach to how many of her female characters relate to marriage even if they are not consciously following his theories. Austen’s work, Pride and Prejudice, focus on the theme of marriage in the middle-class society. Marriage was viewed in this class as more of a practical institution than romantic means which would have been an approved outlook by Malthus. For many of the middle class people, marriage was used as an impetus for improvement such as social advancement, financial gain, and independence. Marrying for love or for child bearing was secondary to all of those benefits. Mrs. Bennet is described as eager to find her daughters husbands who would help improve the entire family and less emphasis is placed on the happiness of the girls. A complete abstinence or dismissal of marriage was not considered but many waited until later in life in order to find the most appropriate spouse. For example, women were expected to marry as they hold jobs and had source of income than inheritance so marriage was a necessity but a practical one. Charlotte Lucas, a friend of Elizabeth married Mr. Collins for practical reasons later in life, as an example. Charlotte is twenty-seven which is considered old to still be unmarried so when he proposes she "accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment" (Austen 2000 p.120). Charlotte is satisfied with her decision, despite the fact that "Mr. Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary" (Austen 200 p.120). Jane Austen demonstrates and anger or contempt for those who expose their emotions to the world as though it were a weakness which is often shown throughout her novel Sense and Sensibility. Though she does not make many references to population control, she does note that having a child is not always the best thing. “Poor Animal, she will be worn out before she is thirty. Mrs. Clement too is in that way again. I am quite tired of so many Children.” (Austen 2003 p.xvii). This obvious dislike for these individuals is greatly emphasized through the character of Willoughby who was a male character in the novel who left the love of his life, Marianne, for somebody who was richer because he didn’t want to continue living as a poor man which again would focus more on the ideals of Malthus that people naturally are going to be forced apart to help control the population. He seduced Eliza Williams and then quickly disappeared, refusing to marry her even though she was the mother of his child because she had no money he had no interest in her. "In the height of her morality, good woman! she offered to forgive the past, if I would marry Eliza" (Austen 1990 p.283). What appears to be of utmost importance to Jane Austen is not love or even romantic sentiments, but his moral values were of primary focus. As seen in her works men of honor are the ones who are rewarded. One example is Edward that would have been married to Lucy if she had agreed simply because he had the ethical obligation to do so and for this he was rewarded by being able to marry Elinor who was the woman he did love. This demonstrated Malthus idea that nature can punish and reward to keep things in balance. The society that Austen writes about in her novel Persuasion is representative of the society in which she lived where people were expected to marry young though she often portrays characters who do not follow this ideal and even though the wait is difficult, they are often rewarded for this wait. Typically at this time, women of the age Anne who had not yet found a suitor would have no choice but to decide to live life as a governess or marrying the first available individual just to avoid the disgrace of being unmarried. However like most of Austens heroines, she is rewarded for not following these standards as she is eventually reunited with her love and is happy. Anne demonstrates the true moral values that were accepted in society and that Austen seemed to admire, expect and reward in her characters as shown in many of her novels. It is a typical theme in Austens novels to portray a more equitable relationship between the genders and marriages that may have to wait if that is what it takes to find the right person. Though Austen does not portray a harsh perspective on the idea of procreating or population in increase, her novels do not stress the need for women to marry early or to marry quickly to have as many children as possible. In fact, her novels often denounce those ideals which were prevalent in society at that time. Malthus also presented the idea that if people did not have better control over the world and this population increase that nature would have to step in and create catastrophes to keep this population in balance. Though this specific element is not portrayed in her writing, she does promote the idea of a more positive view in that nature seems to reward those who do the right thing where Malthus focused more on the concept of punishment. Even though these are contrasting outlooks, the idea is similar in that those who did not give into society’s ridiculous ideals about marriage and who stood their ground were often rewarded and received what they had been hoping for which often was true love or a specific lover. References Austen, Jane. (2003). Persuasion. New York, NY: Barnes and Nobles Classics. Austen, Jane. (2000). Pride and Prejudice. New York, NY: Random House. Austen, Jane. (1990). Sense and Sensibility. Oxford University Press. Read More