Jane Austen expressed her disapproval of the deliberate design of character experiences in Mary Blunton's novel "Self Control", believing that it lacked naturalness and probability. Austen's novel writing emphasizes the struggle and integration of emotions and reason, rather than a singular judgment. Under the influence of 18th century British sensory culture, Austen focused on passion and prudence, discovering the morality in sensibility and the concealment in reason, presenting the true state of human nature. In Sense and Sensibility, Eleanor Dashwood constrains emotions through self-control, reflecting the combination of self-control and emotions, social performance, and the struggle between individuals and social environments. Austin regarded self-control as an admirable quality, symbolizing rational power and inner energy, but also questioned its completely positive and virtuous views. Eleanor's self-control is commendable, but it also carries negative factors, such as unintentionally causing guilt in her family. Austin was more merciful towards characters who could not restrain their emotions than conservative writers of the same generation, such as Marianne Dashwood who made progress through experience, while Jane West's Marianne Dudley fell into sadness due to indulging her emotions. Austin's works present authenticity in depicting daily life and human relationships, and the complex treatment of self-control reflects the dialogic nature of the work in the context of the times. This article aims to explore how Austen deals with the theme of self-control in subtle and unique ways, and its association with writing principles, analyze the ways in which characters control emotions, and illustrate the influence and significance of self-control in the development of Austen's works.

Self-restraint in context 1

Jane Austen's novel writing is set in the 1790s, a period of political and intellectual revolution, during which political debates and literary works reflect the tension between self-restraint and emotional indulgence. Austen's works contrast with those of contemporary writers such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Hannah Moore, Jane West, Mary Hayes, and Elizabeth Ingebold. She emphasizes the struggle between the individual and the self, believing that this struggle is natural and meaningful. Austen's novels avoid direct moral preaching and instead showcase the complexity of life through the characters' "uncertain" qualities and inner struggles. Her works are open and faithful to life, in stark contrast to the moral beliefs of conservative writers and the outspokenness of radical writers. Austin's novel writing principles emphasize the importance of self-control and the ways in which this control is formed (or deprived) in the characters' minds.

2. Control of Strong Emotions

Explored the relationship between self-control and emotion in Jane Austen's novels, particularly how characters control emotions to showcase their moral qualities and thoughts. In Sense and Sensibility, Austen criticized characters who lacked genuine emotions through irony, while highlighting the true emotions of the female protagonists. The interaction between self-control and emotional intensity provides support for Austen's portrayal of male and female experiences. In 'Persuasion', Austen hinted at the strong emotions between Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth through techniques such as body language, free indirect speech, and the narrator's voice. Christopher Nagel emphasized the emotional power of body language in novel storytelling. Austin employs different writing techniques, such as balancing direct speech and free indirect speech, to depict the emotional states of characters. As the relationship between Anne and Wentworth progressed, the narrative style shifted from free indirect discourse to direct discourse, indicating a more open expression of emotions. The comparison between the original ending and the revised ending of 'Persuasion' shows Austen's different ways of expressing strong emotions between lovers. Charlotte Bronte criticized Austen's novels for their unnatural restraint of emotions, but the passion and desire in Austen's works were momentarily overlooked by Bronte. By suppressing the necessary power of emotions, readers can become more aware of the intensity of emotions. Anne and Wentworth not only possess profound and strong perceptual abilities, but also have strong willpower. Austen portrays a woman full of emotions through the character Anne, who, despite her inner anxiety and thoughts, actively and responsibly comforts and helps others. Wentworth's sensibility was not incompatible with his actions; He is not only a practical sailor, but also a self reliant person who has been promoted in the navy and actively helps others. Austin seems to consciously resist Burke's self absorbed emotional expression and juxtapose Anne's rich inner world with her healthy and fulfilling public life. In Sense and Sensibility, John Willoughby's emotions are contradictory as he struggles between his desire for romance and his fear of poverty. Austin did not depict Willoughby as a complete villain, but made it clear to readers that even when unable to suppress his feelings for Marianne, this man would feel the sacrifices he made for material pursuits. The ambitious female characters in Austen's works, such as Mary Crawford and Maria Bertram in Mansfield Park, are also allowed to step out of their profit driven lifestyle. Maria, like Mary, excessively valued wealth, but she did not "properly" control her feelings for Henry like Mary did for Edmund. Fanny is often portrayed in this novel as a self disciplined female protagonist, with rational actions and fair thinking. However, Fanny's self-restraint is not entirely driven by her virtues and kindness, her passivity and repression may stem from her upbringing and lack of attention.

Conclusion: The Significance of Self Discipline

Explored the complexity of self-restraint in Jane Austen's novels, pointing out its close relationship with the political, social, and cultural backgrounds of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Like other female writers, Austen expressed concern about excessive emotions, but she avoided preaching and focused more on the struggle between characters and themselves, striving to depict real life truthfully. Her narrative skills demonstrate the characters' ability to suppress emotions while enhancing readers' perception of emotional power. Austin provided both positive and negative descriptions of the reasons why characters control their emotions, laying the foundation for psychological and moral thinking. Her focus on self-discipline is closely linked to her perspective on fiction, involving character development, narrative strategies, and the relationship between the author and the text. From her youth works to 'Sandton', Austen's approach to self-restraint reflects her exploration of different writing modes. Her works showcase the restrained personality traits of characters, which contribute to character development and reveal the complex relationship between self and society. Austen's construction of self-control helps us understand her views and social attitudes towards writing, promoting continuous exploration of this literary figure.