The novel Cecilia by Frances Burney was published in 1782 while it is set in 1779-80.
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| Cecilia during a walk in Bury, talking to the Delviles' dog Fidel |
Cecilia and Fidel (the dog)
from Cecilia by Fanny Burney (1825)
Even though is is a work of fiction, the world and relations between characters are represented in realistic way. Personalities of characters might be based on the personalities of people known by Frances Burney.
What we can learn about life and manners in the 18th c. UK?
- being of age means 21 years old
- a typical breakfast means toasts with butter and tea
- it was dangerous to travel alone during night (they usually travelled with servants)
- Christmas and Eastern were usually spent not only with family but also with a group of friends
- there was mentioned a Christmas game: the game of move-all (this may resemble the musical chairs)
- other games were mentioned: hide and seek and a Q in the corner (maybe it resembles this game)
- educated people knew that it was dangerous to stay under a tree during a storm but it was not a common knowledge (Lady Honoria felt safer under a tree and did not want to go away)
- while organising a masquerade, the hosts did not have to wear special costumes but ordinary clothing
- it was normal for doctors to write prescriptions for their patients
- it was believed that mad people like straw
- they dressed twice a day: in the morning and before dinner.
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| Mortimer Delvile and Cecilia escaping from the storm, Honoria under the tree |
I suppose that Cecilia was for Frances Burney an exemplary upper class woman. These qualities are necessary to be an exceptional lady (according to the author):
- interest in literature and education
- philosophical attitude to life
- being more rational than emotional
- duty is the most important thing
- generosity and eagerness to help others
- ability to dance
- playing piano
- courtesy to everyone
- taking pleasure in walking
- ambivert - liking both alone time and conversation with others.
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| Cecilia and Mr Briggs, the 18th c. version of Harpagon, he keeps her money during her minority |
In the novel are represented the social classes:
- working class - The Hills
As the name indicates, their main occupation is working. Even children have work hard. Though they work so hard, they are poor. When one of the parents is sick, they family is looses their sustenance and falls in the still worse poverty. Without the financial help of Cecilia, Hills' situation would be miserable.
- bourgeoisie or nouveau riche - the Harrels
They can live in luxury but they seem not to be accustomed to the great wealth because they need to show off. This leads to wastefulness through organising splendid parties to arouse jealousy in their acquaintances. They make unnecessary expensive renovations in their house and build new buildings (without paying for it). They gamble to regain their money but it leads to even greater debts.
- middle class -the Belfields
Thanks to trade they could live quite comfortably. Their were able to pay for the education of their son. However, because of this he started to feel contempt towards trade and wanted to be among the upper classes. In order to achieve this, the rest of the family had to live in extreme frugality.
- upper class - the Delviles
They are both wealthy and proud of their ancestors. They have at least two habitations: The Delvile Castle and a house in London. They have numerous servants. Mr Delvile, a younger brother of Lord Delvile is able to gain the title only because Lord Delvile has no children. Therefore, Mr Delvile feels unsure about his position and that is why he needs to show his pride and arrogance to others. This exterior pride, in my opinion, is a sign of narcissism. The truth is that he has a low self esteem and he requires the respect and admiration of others to increase it.
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| Duel between Delvile and Monckton, Monckton defamed the Delvile family |
