This piece is exactly what I've been trying to write, haha! I'm currently reading both Austen's Emma and Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, and I've been struck again and again by how Wharton's protagonists are solely motivated by individual desire and the upper class constructs of society, whereas Austen's are motivated by virtue, good sense, and neighborly concern (not always of course, but that's the tendency). And in my own life, I've spent much time over the last couple of years thinking about virtue as spiritual formation, in contrast to today's values. You've said all my same thoughts and more succinctly than I could. :)
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I have been meaning to read the age of innocence for sometime, so I will try to get around to that soon and let you know what I think. I am also looking forward to checking out what you’ve been writing lately.
This piece is exactly what I've been trying to write, haha! I'm currently reading both Austen's Emma and Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, and I've been struck again and again by how Wharton's protagonists are solely motivated by individual desire and the upper class constructs of society, whereas Austen's are motivated by virtue, good sense, and neighborly concern (not always of course, but that's the tendency). And in my own life, I've spent much time over the last couple of years thinking about virtue as spiritual formation, in contrast to today's values. You've said all my same thoughts and more succinctly than I could. :)
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I have been meaning to read the age of innocence for sometime, so I will try to get around to that soon and let you know what I think. I am also looking forward to checking out what you’ve been writing lately.