Men and the Emergence of Polite Society, Britain 1660-1800
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A01=Philip (Research Editor
Author_Philip (Research Editor
Bosom Friends
British masculinity studies
Category=JBSF2
Category=NHD
Category=NHTB
conduct literature analysis
De La Cour
Early Eighteenth Century Theories
Eighteenth Century Definitions
Eighteenth Century Polite Society
English Politeness
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
evolution of male sociability Britain
Fop Character
gender roles eighteenth century
historical social conduct
Home Town
Male Refinement
Men's Tears
Men’s Tears
Modern Sociability
New Dictionary Of National Biography) Carter
Polite Gentleman
refined
sentimental man theory
Sir Fopling
Sir Fopling Flutter
urban gentleman identity
Urban Social Spaces
Young Man
Product details
- ISBN 9781138150485
- Weight: 453g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 18 Aug 2016
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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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.
Philip Carter is Research Editor on the New Dictionary of National Biography and Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford.
