Sensibility
Definitions:
Foppish: (Adjective) concerned with one’s clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way (typically used of a man).
Wo: Archaic spelling of ‘woe.’ (Noun) great sorrow or distress.
Pulpit: (Noun) a raised platform or lectern in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon.
Despotic: (Adjective) of or typical despot; tyrannical. Synonyms: Autocratic, Dictatorial, Etc.
Notes:
- “sensibility; at the same time, there is not one whose counterfeit or affectation is more disgusting.”
Sensibility is described as an incredibly important virtue, and those who try to falsely act as such are scorned and called “disgusting”. This shows how important certain values were to society, and thus explains why many of the novels we read also emulate this view.
- “That instead of being regarded as the ovidence of a benevolent feeling, it is looked upon as the offspring of a weak and foppish mind, exposed to the pity of ridicule of those that behold, as kindness or knowledge may predominate in them.”
The imitation of sensibility leaves the impression of being weak or stupid.
- “ovidence”
Meant to be “evidence” Likely a mistake in the scan. This is seen throughout all the scans with the letter “e”.
- “Our tears must not flow from the loss of a kitten, or a singing bird, or a lap dog; nor at the misfortunes of a character of fiction, who is so entwined with our sympathies that we are compelled to feel as he feels, and suffer as he suffers. We must not faint if an acquaintance has cut his finger, or a favourite play-actor is suddenly indisposed”
In order to be considered sensible, one cannot be overly sensitive and must keep their emotions in check. We see this idea live on today as men are expected to have a tight grip over their emotions while women are often called too emotional and told to be more sensible.
- “Why should we place such an inordinate value upon such trifles or mourn their loss with a grief so unsuited to them?”
This line seems to question where worth is placed and if we too sensitive to that.
- “And how soothing to the unfortunate are the expressions of true sympathy! How consoling the reflection, that, bereaved of health, friends, liberty, property, or happiness, there are some beings in the world who will sympathise in our misfortunes, appreciate their severity and extent, mourn when we weep, and bear with our peevishness patiently”
Being empathetic makes other people feel good.
- “what a lustre does it create around the face of beauty”
The article claims that being sensible and showing true sympathy adds to one’s beauty. The focus here on ‘inner’ beauty is interesting as it seems to both reflect and contradict the themes we’ve seen around appearance in the novels we read.
- “This amiable virtue is naturally the tenant of the female bosom. Man sometimes possess it but it is always expected in woman, and her character is very defective without it.”
Men are sometimes sensible but ALL women should have this trait. This shows the strict societal expectations placed on women, which is seen represented in both Jane Eyre and Lady Audley’s Secret.
- “Perhaps her judgment tells her that to encourage idleness by bestowing the boon that is requested is injudicious; but if, in compliance with her judgment, she refuses the petition, she violates the tenderness of the female heart”
Women can’t have opinions and must serve everyone. Once again an idea seen time and time again in 19th century novels. The idea of women being martyrs is especially prevalent in Frankenstein with the character of Justine.
- “Man is made of sterner stuff, and to him should be committed the east of reforming such evils as these.”
Women should be kind no matter what and leave the judgement to the men.
- “Very many persons, who move in the middle, or higher ranks of life, see very few of these scenes of misery that abound amongst the poor; consequently they are quite ignorant of them. However, it is not to be supposed, that even they are entirely unacquainted with the existence and nature of such scenes.”
The discrepancy of the classes, the hardships that people in lower classes face are missed by people in upper classes therefore leaving them ignorant.
- “*******”
Likely used to censor an ‘improper’ or profanity.
- “look here!” and “let my poor children only eat their fill once!”
Neither of these sentences are capitalised, despite other sentences around it being capitalised. Not sure why this is.
- “Scenes of wretchedness, like this, are not of a romantic kind; but while they do exist, a blot upon the humanity of the world, there is nothing that ought to prevent our dwelling upon them.”
This is telling us to be more forward thinking, dwelling on the negatives of the past is not going to do anything for us in the long run.
- “Strange as it may appear, things like these are not tolerated, unless it be from the pulpit.”
Those of higher-rank are not supposed to think of the poor, only the church.
- “(a young woman, who delighted in cards and romances)”
Gendered past times; telling women what they should be enjoying.
- “let her alone, she is now engaged with her cards, and novels, and is happy–she has but a short time to live, and she must not be interrupted while occupied by her favourite pastime.”
Reading is described as something so soothing and enjoyable that it can comfort some on their last hours.
- “There is as much justice in the ideas of that mother as there is in the false delicacy that would prevent the young’s contemplating the real ills of life from an apprehension of making them melancholy”
The mother does not want to interrupt her dying daughter as she is happily enjoying her favorite pastimes, but this is a facade.