ENG323H1 Study Guide - Final Guide: Socioeconomic Status, Secret Passage, Sough
Document Summary
In austen, heroes usually have no property, are removed away from property or under threat of losing property: very attuned to socio-economic conditions and status of women in her time. Themes present in the old manor house. Smith is more directly political in her views. Land of gentry were people who owned land and got their income primarily from land that they owned: up and coming middle class gaining political power. In smiths novel, women gets money from tenants. Why is it significant that they have no male heir: women in power here, untraditional situation. Mr. somerive introduced as a gentleman: tells us that people believe he deserves this heir. Gives him the class status to make him a genuine inheritor of the estate. Fundamentally patriarchal society: mrs. rayland resists this idea of mr. somerive as the heir. Sets her up as a kind of puppet master".
