Podcast Summary: "Jane Austen & the Reformation"
Not Just the Tudors
Host: Professor Susannah Lipscomb
Guest: Dr. Roger E. Moore, Principal Senior Lecturer in English at Vanderbilt University
Release Date: June 21, 2025
In this enlightening episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Susannah Lipscomb engages in a profound discussion with Dr. Roger E. Moore about the intricate connections between Jane Austen's literary works and the historical context of the Reformation. This conversation delves deep into how the dissolution of monasteries and the subsequent societal shifts influenced Austen's novels, offering listeners a richer understanding of her narratives and character portrayals.
1. Introduction to the Topic
Professor Lipscomb sets the stage by highlighting the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, using listener Theodosia Austin's recommendation to explore Austen's engagement with the Reformation and its lasting impact on British society.
Quote:
"It was 250 years after the dissolution of the monasteries had seen the largest redistribution of land and wealth since the Norman Conquest." ([02:25])
2. Dr. Moore's Exploration of Austen and the Reformation
Dr. Roger E. Moore explains his academic journey into studying Jane Austen within the framework of the Reformation. His interest was sparked while supervising a student's honors thesis on the portrayal of women in Austen's novels, where he noticed recurring references to medieval religious sites.
Quote:
"I kept noticing references to the medieval past, to abbeys, churches and chapels." ([05:21])
3. Austen's Personal Connection to the Sacred Landscape
Dr. Moore details Jane Austen's personal interactions with remnants of former abbeys and churches, which profoundly influenced her perspective and writings. Austen's frequent visits to places like Stoneleigh Abbey and Netley Abbey provided her with firsthand experiences of England's fractured identity post-dissolution.
Quote:
"She was surrounded by these remnants and I think fascinated by them." ([06:20])
4. Austen’s Sympathetic View of the Dissolution
The conversation delves into Austen's nuanced perspective on the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Dr. Moore suggests that Austen, hailing from a clerical family, harbored a conservative nostalgia for the communal and charitable roles these institutions once played.
Quote:
"I think Austen tended to be conservative in looking back at the past and in seeing the values of the past." ([07:38])
5. Analysis of Austen’s "A History of England" (1791)
Dr. Moore emphasizes the sophistication of Austen's early work, arguing against the common notion of dismissing juvenilia as immature. He highlights how "A History of England" reveals her critical stance on figures like Henry VIII and reflects her pro-Stuart sentiments.
Quote:
"Her juvenile works are quite mature and quite sophisticated." ([10:22])
6. Characterization of Gentry and Redistribution of Wealth
The discussion moves to Austen's portrayal of gentry families, particularly those who benefited from the land redistribution following the dissolution. In "Northanger Abbey," the Tilney family's acquisition of former monastic lands is critiqued, reflecting Austen's skepticism towards the gentry's acquisitiveness.
Quote:
"They have lived there ever since... Austen gives us a lot of unflattering detail about the Tilneys." ([18:00])
7. The Loss of Charity and Community Institutions
Dr. Moore connects the dissolution to the erosion of charitable and hospitable institutions in Austen's England. He references William Cobbett's critiques, illustrating how the closure of monasteries led to diminished community support systems, a theme echoed in Austen's "Mansfield Park."
Quote:
"We never would have heard the sound of the poor rate had it not been for the dissolution." ([29:59])
8. "Sanditon" and the Critique of Commercial Resorts
Exploring Austen's unfinished novel "Sanditon," Dr. Moore interprets it as a severe critique of the emerging wellness and commercial resort culture of the early 19th century. He highlights the novel's portrayal of superficiality and the neglect of spiritual and communal roots.
Quote:
"Sanditon is a good example of that kind of conservative impulse." ([38:41])
9. Austen’s Conservatism and Nostalgia
The conversation underscores Austen's conservative leanings and her longing for pre-Reformation societal structures. Dr. Moore argues that Austen's work reflects a desire to preserve traditional values amidst the rapid societal changes of her time.
Quote:
"Austen connects to that in her world. She's not afraid of change and she's not afraid to point out when people are acting poorly." ([39:53])
10. Reassessing Jane Austen’s Historical Engagement
Concluding the episode, Dr. Moore posits that understanding Austen's connection to the Reformation and the dissolution of monasteries enriches our appreciation of her as a culturally significant figure. This perspective repositions Austen as a keen observer of history and societal shifts, challenging the modern perception of her as merely a writer of romantic novels.
Quote:
"Acknowledging her connection to such an important event in English history as the dissolution of the monasteries helps us see her as an even more significant cultural figure." ([42:53])
Conclusion
This episode of Not Just the Tudors masterfully intertwines literary analysis with historical context, offering listeners a deeper insight into Jane Austen's works and the enduring legacy of the Reformation in her narratives. By exploring Austen's nuanced perspectives, Dr. Moore and Professor Lipscomb illuminate the enduring relevance of historical events in shaping literary masterpieces.