• Home
  • Audio/Podcasts
  • Austensites
  • AV/E-Texts
  • History
  • Links
  • Novels
  • Original Sources/19th C. Texts
  • Social Customs During the Regency
  • Teacher/Student
  • Writer/Literature Resources

Jane Austen's World

This Jane Austen blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details related to this topic.

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Only a Novel: The Double Life of Jane Austen by Jane Aiken Hodge: A Review
Sanditon: Coming to ITV August 25th, 2019 and a PBS station near you in 2020 »

Kisses and Embraces in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Rachel Dodge

June 30, 2019 by Vic

Much has been said about proper greetings, curtsies, nods, and bows in Jane Austen’s novels, but familiar greetings that occur between close friends and family members are just as fascinating. In fact, a close inspection of the novels reveals more kissing, embracing, and hand-holding than one might first imagine.

Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham." Pride and Prejudice illustration by C.E. Brock (1895), British Library.

Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham.” Pride and Prejudice illustration by C.E. Brock (1895), British Library.

Austen’s own family is described as affectionate by many of her biographers; her letters reveal the same. In her novels, the degree of physical touch and affection (or the lack thereof) shown by her characters and families can provide us with interesting insights.

Pride and Prejudice

In Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses physical touch to offer clues about her characters in several instances. For example, when saying goodbye to Jane and Elizabeth, Miss Bingley embraces Jane and shakes hands with Elizabeth. With these gestures, she communicates her feelings toward Jane and Elizabeth; the narrator aids our further understanding:

“On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost all, took place. Miss Bingley’s civility to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane; and when they parted, after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in the liveliest of spirits.” (Chapter 12)

Later, when Elizabeth leaves Hunsford, Miss de Bourgh makes an effort at friendliness in her parting: “When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year; and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both” (Chapter 37).

After Lydia’s marriage, Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth’s greeting speaks volumes about what she knows and what he suspects she knows: “She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though he hardly knew how to look, and they entered the house” (Chapter 52).

These strained greetings and leave-takings stand in stark contrast to the warm affection shown in the Bennet family. For example, Elizabeth greets her little cousins with a kiss when she returns to Longbourn. Even though she’s in a hurry, her greeting provides a glimpse into their normal family interactions:

“The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; and, when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces, and displayed itself over their whole bodies, in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome. Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them a hasty kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running down from her mother’s apartment, immediately met her.” (Chapter 47)

This scene also reveals that the Gardiner children have a wonderful relationship with their parents and cousin. They’re so full of joy that they’re unable to hold still. Even their movements show their enthusiasm.

Furthermore, Austen uses physical touch to illustrate special fondness between the other Bennet family members. When Elizabeth speaks to Mr. Bennet about her family’s reputation, Mr. Bennet reaches for her hand, in a moment of seriousness, and comforts her:

“Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject, and affectionately taking her hand said in reply: ‘Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very silly sisters’” (Chapter 41).

Elizabeth and Jane embrace when they are in great trial: “Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether anything had been heard of the fugitives” (Chapter 47). And again, when they are extremely happy: “Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence would give pleasure; and instantly embracing her, acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world” (Chapter 55).

When Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth first meet as future brother and sister, there is genuine affection and joy on both sides:

“He then shut the door, and, coming up to her, claimed the good wishes and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly and heartily expressed her delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she had to listen to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane’s perfections…” (Chapter 55)

Finally, Jane kisses Mr. Bennet when he gives his permission for her to marry Mr. Bingley: “[H]e turned to his daughter, and said: ‘Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.’ Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his goodness” (Chapter 55). It’s easy to see how much it pleases Mr. Bennet to see his daughter happy and how much it pleases Jane to make her father happy.

We find examples of kissing and embracing in each of Austen’s novels. Some of her novels have multiple instances and others have very few, depending on the families in question and how they tend to interact with one another. Austen uses these interactions to create a warmer or cooler atmosphere in each family and relationship.

These are just a few scenes from Pride and Prejudice. I’m sure you can think of others. What do these examples say to you about the characters in Pride and Prejudice?

________

Rachel Dodge is a regular contributor to Jane Austen’s World blog and Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine. She is a college English professor and the author of Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen. You can find her online at www.RachelDodge.com, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kindredspiritbooks/, or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/racheldodgebooks/.

 

Share with others:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Jane Austen's language, Jane Austen's World, Pride and Prejudice | Tagged Rachel Dodge | 21 Comments

21 Responses

  1. on June 30, 2019 at 12:39 Dena@shaldenandneatham

    Very interesting and well written. Thank you for sharing/posting!


    • on July 2, 2019 at 13:35 racheldodgey

      Thank you!!


  2. on June 30, 2019 at 13:00 Christina Morland

    Fascinating post and great analysis! I was especially interested in Caroline Bingley’s use of physical affection with Jane and Elizabeth as they leave Netherfield. Given what happens afterward, I’ve always taken Miss Bingley’s behavior as further proof of her insincerity. But maybe I’m being too harsh (I usually am, especially with Caroline Bingley).

    This topic is also a great reminder that, just because Regency gentry practiced a stricter code of etiquette than many of us might be used to, they weren’t cold and detached automatons. I sometimes think modern readers and writers give too much credence to advice and conduct books from the time. These kinds of books are great for letting us know what society’s arbiters thought were ideal forms of behavior, but they’re not as good at letting us know how people actually behaved. Austen’s novels and letters are likely a better way of understanding the reality of certain behaviors among the gentry (though novels have their limitations for understanding reality, too — namely, that they’re fiction!).

    Thanks for this thought-provoking post!


    • on July 2, 2019 at 13:43 racheldodgey

      I think you’re right. I think we think of the Downton Abbey type of stiff formality and coldness, even between family members (they make mention of it, when Lord Grantham and Lady Mary try to show affection or say they love one another), as the way everyone acted. I get the feeling that the upper classes could be that way, in certain families, but that Austen seemed to value a warm, affectionate kind of family most. I’m going to cover that as I look at the other novels in future posts.


  3. on June 30, 2019 at 16:24 Sarah Waldock

    Christina, I, too, have always thought Caroline Bingley’s display of affection to be spurious and insincere! she’s making the best of things, and that means that she has to look affectionate or risk making herself look bad. She is, when all is said and done, a social animal.


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:38 racheldodgey

      So true!


  4. on June 30, 2019 at 17:49 Collins Hemingway

    You’re right, much more affection described than what we think of in this “formal” period. John Mullan counts five or possibly six romantic kisses in Austen’s novels, as I recall.


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:40 racheldodgey

      I think you’re right about Mullen. I heard him at last year’s AGM. Such fun and fascinating details!


  5. on June 30, 2019 at 20:24 robhban

    A very interesting post. Now it’s been brought to my attention, I think I recall a fair bit of kissing in Dickens too. Thinking again about our own times, it now appears to be the fashion to kiss, hug or possibly air-kiss one’s friends of the opposite sex, where a couple of decades ago that would have been unthinkable.


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:40 racheldodgey

      Dickens would be really fun to look at next. I think you’re right!


  6. on June 30, 2019 at 20:37 Jennifer

    For some reason your Jane Austen blog came up in by Google stream and I am so very happy that it did. It’s always so fun to find someone else who loves jane and her novels and really pays attention to them in little detail! You have a new fan! I am

    Your obedient servant,
    Jennifer Smith


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:41 racheldodgey

      How lovely, Jennifer! So glad to have you here with us!


  7. on June 30, 2019 at 22:19 Brenda O'Hearn

    I would also include the moment Elizabeth finds out by letter of her younger sister’s escapades. When Mr. Darcy is trying to comfort her by reaching out and touching her hand. You could truly see how much he loved her. Great article, thank you.


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:52 racheldodgey

      Thank you!


  8. on July 1, 2019 at 11:41 Kevin Lindsey

    We’ve just had a great good fortune of coming back from a visit to England, which happily included a visit to Chawton house. To me that House speaks of the comfort and affection you speak of, not a rigid formality. Interesting article, thanks for it!


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:53 racheldodgey

      How wonderful. I’m glad you got to go! I agree with you about the house and their family.


  9. on July 1, 2019 at 19:55 Alicia Acosta

    What your observations say to me is that I would very much have enjoyed for the Bennett’s to be my neighbors!!!


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:54 racheldodgey

      Same here! What a wonderful thought. (Though Mrs. Bennet might be a bit loud at times, she would be entertaining.)


  10. on July 2, 2019 at 02:00 Polly

    What an interesting article, and how observant Ms Dodge is! This is something I have never noticed while reading Jane Austen’s books. The next time I read Persuasion I’ll take care to compare Anne Elliot’s interactions with her immediate family with those of the Bennets.


    • on July 4, 2019 at 18:54 racheldodgey

      Thank you, Polly. I’m glad you enjoyed the article!


  11. on July 24, 2019 at 14:09 Diana Craft

    I want to thank you for accepting my request to enter your world and share your love of Jane Austen’s works. I too would have loved being her friend and a neighbor of her loving family. I am from a family of eleven children and I so wish that I could say our home was as loving. I look forward with great enthusiasm to read all of the enticing articles I see written here and hope to read more about my greatest curiosity, Mr. Bennett.

    When first seeing Pride and Prejudice many years ago I felt such a connection with the actor that portrayed Lizzie’s Father and wished that he were my own. The 1945 version of Pride and Prejudice will always remain my favorite and Greer Garson will always be Elizabeth to me, as Sir. Lawrence Olivier is Darcy no matter how many other versions I enjoy.

    Thank you again and permit me to delve in.
    With Great Expectations of my own,
    Diana Craft



Comments are closed.

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 6,780 other followers

  • Bookmark

    Add to DeliciousAdd to DiggAdd to FaceBookAdd to Google BookmarkAdd to MySpaceAdd to NewsvineAdd to RedditAdd to StumbleUponAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Twitter
  • Follow Jane Austen's World on WordPress.com
  • Blog Stats

    • 14,994,362 hits
  • Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Needs Readers to Judge Short Stories Submitted for a Contest

    Poster recruiting judges for the short story contest hosted by the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation
    Due to huge response to our writing competition, we need to boost our judging panel.
    Working with the judging team and under the guidance of our lead judge, Jane MacKenzie, you will be required to read short stories and score against our judging criteria. You will then join the judging team to select three finalist stories to be published for the public to choose the winner.
    You can be anywhere in the world and no previous judging experience required – just a love of reading and the written word.
    A minimum of 6 hours per week is ideal (at any time to suit you), but please get in touch if you would like to participate but have less time available.
    Please contact us via our website to express your interest: https://janeaustenlf.org/contact-us and fill out the form.
  • Lizzy and Darcy in Lockdown

    It’s Hunsford in May 1812 and Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy find themselves in quarantine lockdown within Hunsford Parsonage and Rosings Park respectively, resorting at last to one another’s company, by letter.

    photos of Joanna O'Connor and James, the readers

    Whilst our intention is a light and humorous glimpse into a challenging situation, we do assure you that weightier matters will be addressed and respected as the series progresses.

    Written by Joanna O’Connor. Readers: Joanna O’Connor and James  Kingdon, Summer Light Theatre

    WATCH/LISTEN:YouTube Channel of Summer Light Theatre: Find all 15 sets of letters in order.

    READ: Purchase the paperback or Kindle version of the letters on Amazon.

  • Britain’s Black Past

    For those of us who watched Bridgerton on Netflix, Professor Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina’s BBC 4 Radio discussions on this topic will provide a rich background. The author of Black London has recorded 12 episodes on the topic for BBC 4 radio. Click on this link to view and choose them.

    If you’d like the hear one of her talks, here’s a 15-minute discussion on The Invisible Presence.

    Queen Charlotte by Alan Ramsay, Google Art Project

  • Jane Austen: Myth, Reality and Global Celebrity–Free Online Course

    University of Southampton via Future Learn offers a course described as thus: “Discover the fascinating story of author Jane Austen, from her own life in Hampshire to what she means to a global audience today.”

    Having taken several Future Learn courses, I can attest that they are excellent. Click here to sign up for this 3-week course.

  • The Obituary of Charlotte Collins by Andrew Capes

    Click on image to read the story.

  • Comments

    “My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion

     

    Gentle readers: Please feel free to post your comments and continue the conversation!

    Regretfully, due to SPAMMERS, we will no longer accept comments on posts that were published over 30 days ago. In some instances, links will be removed from comments as well.

  • Administrators and Contributors

    Vic Sanborn, founder of this blog, is supported by a team of talented and knowledgeable writers about Jane Austen and the Regency era. They are:

    • Tony Grant,
    • Brenda Cox, and
    • Rachel Dodge.

    Click on their names to enter their own blogs.

    In addition, we thank the many experts and authors who frequently contribute their posts and opinions, and who continue to do so freely or at our request.

  • Pin It!

    Follow Me on Pinterest
  • Top Posts

    • Social Customs During the Regency
      Social Customs During the Regency
    • You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
      You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
    • Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
      Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
    • Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
      Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
    • The Green Baize Door: Dividing Line Between Servant and Master
      The Green Baize Door: Dividing Line Between Servant and Master
    • Men's hair styles at the turn of the 19th century
      Men's hair styles at the turn of the 19th century
    • Social Classes in England, 1814
      Social Classes in England, 1814
    • Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
      Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
    • Parisian Milliner's Advice in 1801 to a Visiting Lady: Regency Fashion
      Parisian Milliner's Advice in 1801 to a Visiting Lady: Regency Fashion
    • Pride and Prejudice Economics: Or Why a Single Man with a Fortune of £4,000 Per Year is a Desirable Husband
      Pride and Prejudice Economics: Or Why a Single Man with a Fortune of £4,000 Per Year is a Desirable Husband
  • The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge, one of this blog’s writers!

    Find a book  description and order information on Rachel Dodge’s website. Click on this link.

    Find a review of the book by Brenda Cox, another JAW author, on her website. Click on this link.

  • Recent Posts

    • An Interview with Jasmine A. Stirling, Author of A Most Clever Girl
    • Resources on Black People in Jane Austen’s England
    • Easter in Jane Austen’s Day: a pastiche of information
    • “Women of Colour” in Literature of Jane Austen’s England
    • Book Review and Giveaway for A Most Clever Girl by Jasmine A. Stirling
  • Links to Jane Austen Blogs

    Click here to enter the page. Topics include Regency fashion, historic foods, Jane Austen societies, British sites, related topics. Click on image.

  • Find Jane Austen on Google

  • This blog has no commercial purpose

    Our team makes no profit off this blog. We may receive books (physical or digitized) and CDs for review.

  • Hello, my name is Vic and I live in Maryland, USA. I have adored Jane Austen almost all of my life. I am a proud lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me and my team. We do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we do accept and keep books and CDs to review.

    If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email us. (Yes, we are fallible. We'll own up to our mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on our faces.) Write us at

    gmailbw

    Thank you for visiting this blog. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

  • Copyright Statement

    © Jane Austen’s World blog, 2010-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane Austen’s World with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

  • Top Posts & Pages

    • Social Customs During the Regency
    • You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
    • Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
    • Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
    • The Green Baize Door: Dividing Line Between Servant and Master
    • Men's hair styles at the turn of the 19th century
    • Social Classes in England, 1814
    • Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
    • Parisian Milliner's Advice in 1801 to a Visiting Lady: Regency Fashion
    • Pride and Prejudice Economics: Or Why a Single Man with a Fortune of £4,000 Per Year is a Desirable Husband
  • Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: