A Study On The Images Of Military Officers In Jane Austen’s Novels

Jane Austen’s works veritably reflect the social reality and people’s living condition of her times, which is an epitome of British society. Studies on the figures of her works are mostly centered on those who stir “storm in a teacup” in the marital relation. However, in Austen’s six novels, she also portrays the diverse images of army and naval officers. The military officers’ images reflect the author’s concerns for social, political and historical affairs: the French revolution, the Napoleonic wars, and the industrial revolution, etc. More importantly, the introduction of military officers broadens the social space of the novels and breaks the traditional themes of love and marriage. This thesis concentrates on the military officers in Austen’s novels, trying to analyze Austen’s concept of ideal men and her view towards war.The thesis starts with an introduction of the social background of Austen’s times, previous studies on Austen, the research methods and the significance of the thesis. Besides, the thesis analyzes the young military officers’ images from a moral perspective and the senior military officers’ images from a family ethical perspective. Moreover, the thesis analyzes the influence of the military officers in her real life on Austen, her view towards military officers, especially her attitude towards the emerging marine strata. Accordingly, Austen’s viewpoint on war and attitude towards men are discussed.