Conduct Books in the 18th Century Essay -- Literature

Conduct Books in the 18th CenturyThroughout history, conduct books fall in played an integral part in defining what cultures believed were acceptable and coveted behaviors, as well as representing the ideal person. In the introduction to The ideology of Conduct, Nancy Armstrong and Leonard Tennenhouse attempt to show how books and conduct books have been important in relaying these messages and shaping a history of sexuality by the ages. They also halt out the interesting fact that these books of conduct have been aimed more at wo custody and far surpassed in quantity and variety (Armstrong and Tennenhouse 4) similar types of literature for men. rough of the examples they list of types of conduct literature include pamphlets on marriage, books on tact and morality, and devotional gayuals designated for women of the aristocracy. Even in our culture at present this type of literature exists in the forms of advertisements, fashion magazines, and exercise books. Again, much of t his type of literature is direct at women more than men, which these editors explain as an attempt to specify what a wo human should desire to be if she wishes to attract a socially ratified male and keep him happy (Armstrong and Tennenhouse 5). This makes sense because even at once our rescript is patriarchal, constructed so that women many times have to count on financial support from a man. However, the introduction points out the irony of this, since not lonesome(prenominal) is the desirable woman being defined, but also what a man should find desirable in a woman is defined. also punctuate that this is not necessarily a contradiction, since the gendered world of information we inhabit today reproduces and maintains the dominant view (Armstrong and Tennenhouse 5). ... ...n, women learn how to be more desirable for men in terms of todays standards. The focus seems to be on independence as well as sexual attractiveness, and although these qualities are quite different from t hose of the eighteenth century, they are still just as offensive. Just a some of the headings and articles give a clear idea of the messages being sent to women today Are you going too far to snag a man? or Bikini Body Bummers Stretch Marks, Bikini Stubble, Flab, Back Acne--You pull in it, we help you banish it and even Cosmos 10 Commandments which include, among other things, ditch the malicious mood, fall for a nice guy, send thank you notes, keep underclothes under cover, and never lose your cool. Even today conduct books run an integral part of a cultures beliefs and ideals, documenting a history of sexuality (Armstrong and Tennenhouse 19) through time.