Jane Austen should not be known primarily as a Regency period romance author but rather as a profound social critic and commentator. While set within romantic plotlines, her themes are those of virtue. C.S. Lewis says that her heroines learn “good sense, courage, contentment, fortitude.” Lewis is taken in by Austen’s humor and humility and emphasizes how profoundly Christian her moral vision is. Christian philosopher Alastair MacIntyre sees in Austen an embodiment of Aristotelian virtue, particularly as it includes affection for people and true courage that come through genuine practice. Virtue involves both an accurate theoretical knowledge that often defies social custom, but also discernment to practice the virtues within one’s society, not as a contrarian but as one who is more Christian than cultural.
The goal of this course is not merely to deepen the appreciation of a beloved author by fans, but it is more for the purpose of cultivating a virtuous life by learning from great minds. This course will primarily involve seminar-style discussions of Austen’s works as well as commentators. As such, it will require prior familiarity with and reading of at least some of Jane Austen’s novels.