Jane Austen’s Vulnerable Young Men - Celia Easton

Starting with Edward Ferrars, we will take a look at Austen’s creation of “vulnerable” male characters. I’m suggesting that this is a positive trait, although we find the opposite view in some literary criticism and some recent reconsiderations of men and gender roles.  Is “vulnerability” a virtue in Austen’s work? Or is it a weakness? And why is it important? What debt does Austen owe to Samuel Richardson’s third novel, The History of Sir Charles Grandison, in creating characters like Edward Ferrars? After a brief review of some current arguments about men who are “sensitive”, “empathetic” and subject to bullying, participants will be encouraged to contribute to the discussion of additional “vulnerable young men” and their counterparts in Austen’s novels.

Celia Easton retired from the State University of New York at Geneseo as Professor Emerita of English in 2023.  She currently serves as the VP for Publications for the Jane Austen Society of North…