Men and the Emergence of Polite Society, Britain 1660-1800

Men and the Emergence of Polite Society, Britain 1660-1800
Author: Philip (Research Editor, New Dictionary Of National Biography) Carter
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2014-07-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1317882261


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This book presents an account of masculinity in eighteenth century Britain. In particular it is concerned with the impact of an emergent polite society on notions of manliness and the gentleman. From the 1660s a new type of social behaviour, politeness, was promoted by diverse writers. Based on continental ideas of refinement, it stressed the merits of genuine and generous sociability as befitted a progressive and tolerant nation. Early eighteenth century writers encouraged men to acquire the characteristics of politeness by becoming urbane town gentlemen. Later commentators promoted an alternative culture of sensibility typified by the man of feeling. Central to both was the need to spend more time with women, now seen as key agents of refinement. The relationship demanded a reworking of what it meant to be manly. Being manly and polite was a difficult balancing act. Refined manliness presented new problems for eighteenth century men. What was the relationship between politeness and duplicity? Were feminine actions such as tears and physical delicacy acceptable or not? Critics believed polite society led to effeminacy, not manliness, and condemned this failure of male identity with reference to the fop. This book reveals the significance of social over sexual conduct for eighteenth century definitions of masculinity. It shows how features traditionally associated with nineteenth century models were well established in the earlier figure of the polite town-dweller or sentimental man of feeling. Using personal stories and diverse public statements drawn from conduct books, magazines, sermons and novels, this is a vivid account of the changing status of men and masculinity as Britain moved into the modern period.


Men and the Emergence of Polite Society, Britain 1660-1800
Language: en
Pages: 241
Authors: Philip (Research Editor, New Dictionary Of National Biography) Carter
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2014-07-30 - Publisher: Routledge

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This book presents an account of masculinity in eighteenth century Britain. In particular it is concerned with the impact of an emergent polite society on notio
Men and the Emergence of Polite Society
Language: en
Pages: 224
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English Masculinities, 1660-1800
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Type: BOOK - Published: 2014-07-30 - Publisher: Routledge

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This collection of specially commissioned essays provides the first social history of masculinity in the ‘long eighteenth century’. Drawing on diaries, cour
Making Men: The Formation of Elite Male Identities in England, c.1660-1900
Language: en
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Authors: Mark Rothery
Categories: Social Science
Type: BOOK - Published: 2017-09-16 - Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

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The power and status of English male elites were not merely inherited at birth but developed through everyday interactions with family, peers and guardians. Muc
Elite Women and Polite Society in Eighteenth-century Scotland
Language: en
Pages: 230
Authors: Katharine Glover
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2011 - Publisher: Boydell Press

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Women are shown to have played an important and very visible role in society at the time. Fashionable "polite" society of this period emphasised mixed-gender so