The Gentlemen of the Romantic Period

By: Ekib Ekure

A true Victorian Gentleman…

• Was mindful of others, he did his best not to cause pain or afflictions to those he came in contact with.

• Never exaggerated his wealth nor did he speak carelessly on the subject.

• Did not take part in confrontations, his job was to keep the peace and come up with solutions for whatever problems or conflicts arose.

• Was approachable and never distant.• Never took part in gossip nor had

reason to boast about himself.• Learned from the past but never

dwelled on it, he looked to the future for a brighter tomorrow.

• Was patient and kind, slow to anger yet quick to forgive.

A Gentleman’s Expected Behavior

• Keep up appearance • Chew with your mouth closed• Does not interrupt others while they

speak• A proper house guest• Breadwinners • Truthful • Self-respecting• Temperate

Education

• Early education is by a tutor or governess

• Secondary education would be either at: Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, Westminster, or Charterhouse

• Emphasized the classics: ancient Greece and Rome

• This was to prepare them for the intense curriculum at Oxford or Cambridge

Education cont…

• There, they would study mathematics, law or philosophy

• A gentleman had a choice of going to school or being tutored at home

• Oxford tended to produce men or parliamentary while Cambridge produced acclaimed scholars in the scientific field.

Personal Relationships

• Controlled every aspect of their wives

• Expected their wives to be virgins prior to their marriage

• Had the choice of allowing their wives to be guardians of their children after they died

Mr. Darcy – often perceived has obnoxious, he used his tender

affections for his family to win the heart of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Bingley – always smiling and willing to offer a helping hand. Through out the book we never

witness him loose his temper or of come of as heartless.

Mr. Bennet – having to deal with a greedy wife can drive any man

crazy but Mr. Bennet carries himself the way a true gentleman

ought to, with poise and focus.

Mr. Gardiner – a man of little words but of great character; he understands the meaning of the

word family and quickly steps in to offer his assistance to the Bennet

family.

Examples of Gentlemen

Victorian Modern Day

Bibliography • http://www.lahacal.org/gentleman/behavior.html • http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/parenting/pa0093.html • http://www.english.uwosh.edu/roth/VictorianEngland.htm• http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Education/Pix/university_guide/2001/05/08/ox

fordcr.jpg• http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/societies/directory/images/russian.jpg?376 • http://www.victorianstation.com/gentle.html• http://www.victoriana.com/directory/gentlemen.htm • http://harpersbazaar.victorian-ebooks.com/Nov2_1867/16txt.html

http://www.longago.com/f222.jpg• http://www.pemberley.com/photos/firth/headshot.jpg• http://content6.flixster.com/photo/32/20/92/3220924_tml.jpg • http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/content/images/2007/04/23/

benjamin_whitrow_396x222.jpg • http://www.kellynch.com/images/characters/mrgardiner.JPG• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/images/

workshop_gentlemen_tophats.jpg • http://www.lynchs.com/images/1874.jpg • http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mgyYTW2w19c/SHvkHnVzB5I/AAAAAAAADd0/

AxTcwRuF4YY/s400/VictorianGentlemen.jpg