“We do not look in great cities for our best morality.”
This poignant observation from Jane Austen serves as more than just a line in her celebrated novels. It captures a central tension of her era. Furthermore, it reflects a debate that continues to resonate today. The statement pits the sprawling, anonymous metropolis against the close-knit, observable life of the countryside. Austen suggests that true virtue thrives not in the hustle of the city but in the quiet accountability of rural communities. But what exactly did she mean, and does this sentiment hold any truth in our modern, urbanized world?
To understand this quote, we must first step into Austen’s world. She wrote during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of immense social change in England. The Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum, causing cities like London and Bath to expand rapidly. This growth created a stark contrast between the traditional, land-based aristocracy and the new, commercially driven urban society. For Austen, who often wrote about the landed gentry, the city represented a departure from established values. It was a place of new money, fleeting fashions, and social climbing, where appearances could be deceiving.
The City as a Crucible of Vice
In Austen’s novels, cities are frequently depicted as places of temptation and moral ambiguity. The anonymity a large city affords is central to this idea. Away from the watchful eyes of family and neighbors, individuals could more easily shed their inhibitions and responsibilities. Characters travel to London or Bath and often find themselves entangled in debt, deceit, or scandalous affairs. For example, the city provides the backdrop for Lydia Bennet’s reckless elopement with Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice. This act brings shame upon her entire family, highlighting the potential dangers of urban freedom.
Moreover, Austen saw cities as centers of superficiality. Social status was paramount. Relationships were often transactional, built on wealth and connections rather than genuine character. The pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle could lead to moral compromises. Consequently, the city becomes a testing ground for character, where only the truly virtuous can navigate its temptations without losing their way. It is a place where one’s fortune can be made, but one’s moral compass can easily be lost.
The Countryside as a Bastion of Virtue
In stark contrast to the city, Austen presents the countryside as the heartland of English morality. Rural life, as she portrays it, is built on a foundation of community, duty, and tradition. In a small village or country estate, everyone knows each other. A person’s reputation is their most valuable asset, built over years of consistent, observable behavior. This environment of social accountability naturally discourages vice and encourages integrity. People are bound by a shared set of values and a sense of responsibility to their neighbors.
Furthermore, the countryside is associated with authenticity and nature. Life is simpler, more grounded, and less concerned with the fleeting trends of the city. Characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Anne Elliot draw strength and clarity from their connection to the natural world. This pastoral ideal suggests that morality is nurtured by a stable, transparent community and a life lived in harmony with one’s surroundings. It is in these settings that Austen’s heroines often find true love and happiness, reinforcing the idea that the best of human nature flourishes away from the corrupting influence of the urban jungle.
Does Austen’s Observation Hold Up Today?
Centuries after Austen penned her novels, the world has changed dramatically. Source In her time, the vast majority of people lived in rural settings. Today, well over half the global population resides in urban areas . This massive demographic shift forces us to reconsider Austen’s claim. Is the modern city still a place devoid of our