“At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance perceived.” This passage in which Elinor describes the qualities of Edward Ferrars illustrates the fine line that Jane Austen walks between Neo-classicism and Romanticism. Her subject to whom much emotion is devoted is an archetypal Romantic subject, yet Austen’s syntax, …showed first 75 words of 1430 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1430 total…clearly defined ideals of neoclassical art, and focused on people in their social context, makes this perhaps the world's greatest age of comedy and satire. Thus Austen makes her contribution to society on the topics of feminism, individuality, a budding society through the new economy. Jane Austen it can therefore be said writes about Romantic subjects in a predominantly Neoclassical style. She presents glimmers of the Romantic ideal of sublime disorder in artistic Neoclassical order.