Space, place and masculinity in the work of Jane Austen

Abstract

This thesis examines masculinity in the work of Jane Austen through the lens of space and place. Austen’s work, in academia as well as the public mind, is associated with one space in particular: England. This association has a strong textual basis; all of Austen’s “on-stage” action is set there. However, it fails to capture the complexities of Austen’s use of space and place, in particular the way they are used to define her male characters. This thesis considers Austen’s settings in a wider sense: considering “off-stage” settings, implied settings, even imaginary constructions of space within Austen’s novels. It suggests that English masculinity in Austen’s works must be considered in the context of changing national and global spaces. At a micro level, the thesis considers English masculinity within the context of local places (specifically the landed estate).