On Virtue Concept In Frances Burney's Novels

The four novels of Frances Burney Evelina,Cecilia,Camilla and The Wanderer,which were written in the middle and late eighteenth century,depicted a rich and varied social picture of the eighteenth century.The complex and pluralistic concept of virtue was a microcosm of the ideological trends at that time.The commercial virtues prevailing in England in the eighteenth century are quite different from the virtues of the nobles in the past.The gentle and friendly behaviors of the characters in Burney's novels are the manifestations of commercial morality,which demonstrate the power of the emerging middle class in the field of ideology.On the other hand,Burney's gentle and tender male characters are satirized,the old aristocracy's bravery is revived,and the traditional aristocratic order still occupies a place.Labor spirit is one of the outstanding virtues of the middle class in the eighteenth century.The middle class heroines in Burney's novels often acquire wealth and status through hard work and careful planning,which contrasts sharply with the feudal aristocrats who never participates in labor work.Nevertheless,there are still a few examples of stratum leaps that can be achieved only through careful planning.In Burney's novels,there are also some middle-class characters who struggle to pursue their status but eventually fail.The aristocratic forces are still firmly in control of the upper and middle classes.The once-criticized love of money was constantly justified in Britain in the eighteenth century.This is illustrated by character' s attachment to commercial wealth.Nevertheless,Burney also satirizes some extremely greedy people,love of money has not really become a virtue.The aristocratic concept of wealth and various economic events warns people to rethink increasingly crazy love of money.Britain has always been averse to the radical virtues of the French Revolution.In Burney's novels,representatives of radical virtue are constantly marginalized,while conservative virtue defenders are absolutely positive.On the other hand,the female characters in Burney's works show the radical attitude,which is necessary in the novel.The opposition and fusion in virtues and classes in Burney's novels reflect a process of continuous establishment and subversion of the new and old social order in Britain during the transition period.