Flirtation and Courtship in Nineteenth-Century British Culture: Marriage and Conduct Unbecoming

This collection of primary source materials on flirtation and courtship in the nineteenth-century explores how women were educated to perform indifference and manipulate norms to achieve their desires. It includes documents from novels, memoirs, literary journals, newspapers, plays, poetry, songs, parlour games, and legal documents.

Format: Hardback
Length: 404 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating three-volume set presents a rich collection of primary source materials on the fascinating topic of flirtation and courtship during the nineteenth century. Spanning three volumes, this comprehensive collection brings together a diverse array of historical and cultural contexts, providing a deep understanding of the social and cultural dynamics of the era.

In the early stages of a woman's life, she was expected to undergo a process of personal formation and education, which was heavily influenced by gender norms. This phase involved learning the skills necessary to become a desirable bride and a capable mother. However, beneath the surface of this femininity lay an unspoken awareness of the duplicity that underpinned it. Women were taught that if they desired success and fulfillment in life, they must cultivate a sense of indifference and play hard to get.

Flirtation and feigning indifference were considered essential survival skills for women in the nineteenth century. They were taught to use these tactics to attract potential partners and secure their desired outcomes. Whether it was in the marriage market or in social interactions, women were expected to be skilled in the art of flirtation, able to manipulate men's emotions, and maintain a sense of detachment.

However, this prescribed femininity did not always align with women's desires and aspirations. Throughout these three volumes, readers will explore the many ways in which nineteenth-century women were educated in this seemingly universal wisdom, but also how they managed to manipulate, subvert, and navigate their way through such proscribed norms to achieve their own desires.

The collection includes a wide range of documents, such as novels, memoirs, literary journals, newspapers, plays, poetry, songs, parlour games, and legal documents. These sources provide a vivid glimpse into the lives of nineteenth-century women and their experiences with courtship and flirtation. They reveal a diverse range of options available to women in their quest for happiness and a new understanding of the operations of courtship and flirtation, which were central concerns of a nineteenth-century woman's life.

This collection will be of interest to scholars of history, literature, gender and cultural studies, with an interest in the nineteenth century. The volumes offer valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political developments of the era, and shed light on the complex relationships between women, men, and society as a whole.

In conclusion, this three-volume set is a remarkable contribution to the study of nineteenth-century history and culture. It provides a wealth of primary source materials that offer a fresh perspective on the lives of nineteenth-century women and their experiences with courtship and flirtation. By exploring the duplicity at the heart of this carefully cultivated femininity and the diverse ways in which women managed to navigate through it, this collection offers a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted world of nineteenth-century women.

Weight: 920g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367231750