Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849)
Portrait of Maria Edgeworth
“The Irish Jane Austen” Novelist, Moralist, Teacher
Maria Edgeworth was one of the most highly esteemed and influential novelists of the time in the eyes of Jane Austen. She not only paved the way for many new authors, such as Austen and Sir Walter Scott, but did so through her witty writings encompassing the societal flaws and lapses in moral judgment of her own society. Her writings were didactic in nature, focusing on issues such as moral codes and training, as well as the shortcomings of female education, both issues that Austen later went on to write about herself. Just as Austen would later do, Edgeworth used irony and humor to shape her moral visions.
In a passage from Northanger Abbey, Austen shines a light on her own views through the voice of her heroine, Catherine Morland. She also sings the praises of Edgeworth during this passage.
“And what are you reading, Miss –?” “Oh! it is only a novel!” replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. “It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda”; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.” (22-23)
Belinda was one of Edgeworth’s most controversial novels that dealt with gender and race issues. This novel included a depiction of interracial marriage which was shamed during this time period and later omitted in the third edition. Furthermore it tells of the young heroine, Belinda, on her quest to find a good husband. On this journey, Belinda learns through the mistakes of others which are showcased through humor. She gets to experience life through both the aristocratic society of the Delacours and the rational lives of the Percivals (who are similar to the Crofts in Austen’s own Persuasion). Edgeworth herself deemed this a “moral tale” instead of a novel. Through Jane’s writing, readers see the influence that Edgeworth deemed upon her.
Although it is Belinda that Austen references in her own work, Edgeworth’s first novel, Castle Rackrent, was the starting point for this scrutiny of societal wrongs of the time. This novel satirized the conventions of upper-middle class Anglo-Irish landlords and their overall mismanagement of the estates they owned. Told through the perspective of the steward of the estate, Castle Rackrent follows the succession of the estate as it passes through the hands of four incompetent, greedy and uncaring absentee owners. Throughout the entirety of the novel, the female Rackrents are portrayed as used, mistreated and taken advantage of. Once again, it is through Edgeworth’s humor and rationalism that readers experience the emergence of style that Austen would ultimately take.
One of Edgeworth’s last novels, Helen, also aims to call out the wrongs of society, and the stereotypical roles of women that needed to be reformed. This novel deals with the self-destructive lies that a woman tells to those whom she loves. The “white lies” serve to threaten the hope for marriage and the heroine’s place in society. Not only is this novel a study of manners, but also engages in showcasing issues of marital distrust. Edgeworth’s character questions whether or not a woman can love more than once, just as Marianne later does in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
Overall, it is Edgeworth’s sense of humor in her writings mixed with the irony of the circumstances that Austen so admired. The desire to broadcast the social wrongs, especially the roles of women, was a major aim for both writers. To show her admiration, Jane went so far as to present Edgeworth with a copy of Emma before publication which was snubbed by the author and never acknowledged. And although Edgeworth received many more gratuities from her works during her lifetime, it is Jane who has remained a staple in world history.
Maria Edgeworth was one of the most highly esteemed and influential novelists of the time in the eyes of Jane Austen. She not only paved the way for many new authors, such as Austen and Sir Walter Scott, but did so through her witty writings encompassing the societal flaws and lapses in moral judgment of her own society. Her writings were didactic in nature, focusing on issues such as moral codes and training, as well as the shortcomings of female education, both issues that Austen later went on to write about herself. Just as Austen would later do, Edgeworth used irony and humor to shape her moral visions.
In a passage from Northanger Abbey, Austen shines a light on her own views through the voice of her heroine, Catherine Morland. She also sings the praises of Edgeworth during this passage.
“And what are you reading, Miss –?” “Oh! it is only a novel!” replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. “It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda”; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.” (22-23)
Belinda was one of Edgeworth’s most controversial novels that dealt with gender and race issues. This novel included a depiction of interracial marriage which was shamed during this time period and later omitted in the third edition. Furthermore it tells of the young heroine, Belinda, on her quest to find a good husband. On this journey, Belinda learns through the mistakes of others which are showcased through humor. She gets to experience life through both the aristocratic society of the Delacours and the rational lives of the Percivals (who are similar to the Crofts in Austen’s own Persuasion). Edgeworth herself deemed this a “moral tale” instead of a novel. Through Jane’s writing, readers see the influence that Edgeworth deemed upon her.
Although it is Belinda that Austen references in her own work, Edgeworth’s first novel, Castle Rackrent, was the starting point for this scrutiny of societal wrongs of the time. This novel satirized the conventions of upper-middle class Anglo-Irish landlords and their overall mismanagement of the estates they owned. Told through the perspective of the steward of the estate, Castle Rackrent follows the succession of the estate as it passes through the hands of four incompetent, greedy and uncaring absentee owners. Throughout the entirety of the novel, the female Rackrents are portrayed as used, mistreated and taken advantage of. Once again, it is through Edgeworth’s humor and rationalism that readers experience the emergence of style that Austen would ultimately take.
One of Edgeworth’s last novels, Helen, also aims to call out the wrongs of society, and the stereotypical roles of women that needed to be reformed. This novel deals with the self-destructive lies that a woman tells to those whom she loves. The “white lies” serve to threaten the hope for marriage and the heroine’s place in society. Not only is this novel a study of manners, but also engages in showcasing issues of marital distrust. Edgeworth’s character questions whether or not a woman can love more than once, just as Marianne later does in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
Overall, it is Edgeworth’s sense of humor in her writings mixed with the irony of the circumstances that Austen so admired. The desire to broadcast the social wrongs, especially the roles of women, was a major aim for both writers. To show her admiration, Jane went so far as to present Edgeworth with a copy of Emma before publication which was snubbed by the author and never acknowledged. And although Edgeworth received many more gratuities from her works during her lifetime, it is Jane who has remained a staple in world history.