Jane Austen's Simpletons: Gender, Education, and Matrimony in Austen's Novels (2023)

Undergraduate: Danielle Richmond

Faculty Advisor: Inger Brodey
Department: English and Comparative Literature

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This study of Jane Austen’s literary style analyzes the twelve total occurrences of the word ‘simpleton’ across Austen’s mature body of work. Addressing the previous lack of attention to Austen’s use of insults, this study aims to explore her treatment of the mild insult ‘simpleton’ in context to increase our understanding of her views on gender, education, and matrimony. Austen frequently uses this word to illuminate nuances about the place of artifice and manipulation in courtship, the balance between prudence and affection, and the importance of marrying for love and security. The instances differ according to who uses them, who is being insulted, and if it is used ironically by the character or the author.

This study supports the assertions by Mary Lascelles, Norman Page, and Stuart Tave, among others, that Austen was consistently intentional with her diction. Unlike previous approaches to studying Austen’s diction, this study analyzes how Austen’s use of a single word across her body of work is a microcosm of her larger views of society. Proceeding chronologically, this approach shows that Austen’s use of ‘simpleton’ became more complicated as her opinions of women’s societal role became more nuanced. This study is the first to follow a term of insult across Austen’s body of work and the first study of the word ‘simpleton’ across Austen’s oeuvre.

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