Family Control

“You must be sensible that as an only son, and the representative of an ancient family, your conduct in life is most interesting to your connections” (XII).

This passage shows the control parents have over their children’s affairs.  The De Courcy’s do not want their son, Reginald, to become acquainted with Lady Susan because of the negative reputation she has acquired.  Reginald’s parents are more concerned with the reputation of their family than with their son’s happiness and well-being.  Austen successfully portrays the influence parents wish to have over their children.  She also shows that people become nosy and interested in the behavior and actions of another person and how they judge the other person based on their behavior and actions, something that Austen disapproves of based on the tone she uses in the novel.