Monday, November 19, 2007

Q 17

17. How would you sum up the importance of the navy in this novel? What do you make of Anne’s new “profession” (258)?

7 comments:

Elena said...

I think the navy represents the changing social order. Many times in the book Austen refers to navy men who had made their fortune at sea. This change is manifested in Sir Walter's dislike of the navy. He is from a time when your fortune was made by birth, looks, and 'connexions'. He dislikes the idea of ugly commoners rising into status by way of the navy, because he feels it degrades society and his own position.

Anonymous said...

The navy at the time was, in a sense, was the best profession that gained much wealth, and those of the navy held much importance in society. But at the end of the novel Austen states that the navy, "if possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national importance." Perahps meaning that having a position in the navy only helps one's place/class in society (or more directly in their families) rather than serving ones country for national rights.

Erin Trapp said...

interesting thoughts on the navy... it's an open question--especially as we'll see from next week's lecture. continue to muse on this. it's one of the novel's more interesting questions, potentially...

Anonymous said...

I agree with Elena, in that the navy represents the changing social order. The rigidness of the society could be altered by joining the navy, and the reason that Anne and Wentworth can finally be happy is because Navy officers have a social standing that allows them to have equal importance in society.

Anonymous said...

I think the navy in this novel represents the opposite of inherited money and shows more of self-earned money. Fredercik Wentworth earned his wealth on his own in the navy, which is the complete opposite of Sir Walter Elliot. I think Austen wanted the navy to represent how society should be and act. Men in the navy weren't born into high class, and they were still able to make something out of themselves with high class manners as opposed to snobby inherited people.

tami said...

I also agree with Elene and Tara and kevin!The navy represents a change in the way social standing is viewed and also achieved in a way. I think its trying to show that times are changing and one doesn't necessarily need to be born into wealth and can achieve this high class status by making something of themselves rather than it being an exclusive system where everyone must be born into nobility.

Anonymous said...

I agree with kevin and tara. The navy was important in showing the changing times and ability for people to change their social class without being born into an ancient family name. Honor could now be earned through the navy. It was no longer a necessity to have inherited wealth in order to have a higher social ranking.