Monday, June 05, 2006

Vulgar Curiosity

Vulgar (adj.): 1a. coarse; indecent; tasteless. 1b. of or characteristic of the common people. 2. common; prevalent. [from Lat. vulgus = common people] The Oxford Dictionary of Current English

Does vulgarity still exist? Or is it, like whalebone corsets and buggy-whips, a relict of an earlier age? In the modern world, is vulgarity anything more than a museum curiosity, an archaic oddity to be preserved under glass for the amusement of onlookers?

This question occurred to me as I was reading The Friendly Jane Austen by Nathalie Tyler. The book, sent to me by my dear friend D.B. last Christmas, is a very entertaining compilation of short essays, observations, comments, pictures, quotes, quizzes and humour about Jane Austen and her works. [FYI: It would be a welcome bedroom or bathroom book for any “Janeite” (as Ms. Tyler characterises us), since none of the individual pieces are longer than a couple of pages.]

Recently, I ran across a section on the characteristics and implications of vulgarity in Jane Austen’s novels. Since Austen is often credited with being one of the greatest authors of “comedies of manners” who ever lived, vulgarity – the display of coarse and/or tasteless behaviour [for the record, Austen is very rarely, if ever, indecent!] – is a key plot device in all of her novels. Indeed, one could argue that the ability to recognise and avoid vulgarity (of mind as well as of action) is one of the defining characteristics of all Austen heroines.

According to the good Ms. Tyler, “Ten Surefire Ways to be Vulgar” are:
1. If you are a woman, refer to a man by his last name only.
2. Make sure that you gossip plentifully so that people will know how much you know.
3. Be bossy. Very, very bossy.
4. Don’t be coy about the number of beaux you have!
5. A little learning is a dangerous thing and a sure path to vulgarity.
6. Don’t keep your knowledge and opinions to yourself. Make sure you disseminate them widely. You know enough to advise anyone about anything.
7. Have a prominent relative or at the very least a connection with a person of prominence. Make sure the world knows the fortune and influence of your family connections.
8. Have the best coach around equipped with the fastest horses. Make certain that everyone knows about it; do not trust to people’s powers of observation.
9. Be cutting edge avant-garde. Be the first person to adorn your bonnet with apricots or strawberries (in season).
10. Laugh too much, even if you don’t understand why you are laughing.

From this list it seems clear that, for Austen at least, vulgarity is the social manifestation of two things: sloppiness of mind (i.e. wilful ignorance, slavish devotion to fashion and trends, lack of wit, lack of self-discipline); and self-importance (i.e. boasting, over-familiarity, immodesty). Austen never makes these characteristics seem laudable – even when the character has other redeeming qualities (e.g., Both Emma Woodhouse in “Emma” or Marianne Dashwood in “Sense and Sensibility” are both flawed heroines who do significant damage before they learn to moderate their behaviour). The vulgar cause real harm in each of Austen’s novels – everything from hurt feelings and embarrassing social encounters to the very real risk of financial, social and emotional ruin. Vulgarity, it appears, is intrinsically harmful in Jane Austen’s world.

Is this still the case? Are things like boasting (about fame, fortune, connections, talent, etc.) or ignorance (about the world, about other people) still problematic? Are immodesty and a lack of self-discipline (emotional and/or physical) still things we should avoid – both in ourselves and others? Do we need to worry about being overly-familiar with others, and should we be concerned about the need to have the latest and greatest? Are these behaviours, and the thought patterns that give rise to them, still intrinsically harmful?

I ask because I am frequently a little shocked by how people behave (of course, I have led a rather sheltered life). To me, at least, it seems as though vulgarity – as defined above, at least – is not only permissible but celebrated in our society. Things like trash-talking in sports, the rise of “bling” culture, the worship of figures such as Paris Hilton, junk mail that uses your (or my) first name, the popularity of so-called “shock jocks,” the overall decline of public courtesy, and so on, all suggest that excess and self-involvement – key characteristics of vulgarity – are driving forces in this society.

Of course, these same things could also be viewed as evidence of increased honesty and openness in society. Perhaps modern society is simply more willing to recognise and accept that individuals are unique, and that uniqueness should not only be accepted but celebrated. Perhaps it means that people have more options for how to interact with their world, and that we are less judgemental about others’ choices. Perhaps, in the end, vulgarity is simply “of or characteristic of the common people,” as opposed to the more familiar meaning of “coarse; indecent; tasteless.”

So, I wonder … Is it meaningful to speak of “vulgarity” (in the traditional “negative” sense) in the modern world, or have changing manners and a changing societal context made this term obsolete? And, if so, does it matter?

9 Comments:

At 4:31 PM, June 05, 2006, Blogger Susan as Herself said...

Oh, I think there are plenty of vulgar behaviors nowadays...it's just that we've become so used to them that we do not react as our ancestors did. In my mind, it's vulgar to 1) discuss your salary with strangers, 2) wear gobs of jewelry while traveling, and 3) brag about yourself to anyone, anytime. (I'm sure there are more, but those are three that spring to mind.)

 
At 9:14 AM, June 06, 2006, Blogger tornwordo said...

I thought things like the Aristocrats joke were vulgar. Things that offend the senses or "coarse" as in the definition.

I think self-esteem is good, being full of yourself is bad. But the line between them is thin and difficult to determine.

 
At 11:21 AM, June 06, 2006, Blogger St. Dickeybird said...

Vulgarity is all too common these days, for the exact reasons you listed.
I value honesty and openness, but context, common sense and manners still enter the equation.

Having said that... tits!

 
At 12:58 PM, June 06, 2006, Blogger ink said...

Susan - I suspect vulgarity has always been common. The three items you've flagged (I agree with you, BTW) indicate that "showing off" remains distasteful ... at least to some of us!

Tornwordo - I don't think I'm not familiar with the Aristocrats joke you mention (no ... please don't tell me!), but I am intrigued by why coarseness and vulgarity are so closely tied together. Is there a distinction to be made between "coarse" and "primitive" do you think? ("Primal" might be the better word.) Interesting observation, and interesting question ...

St. D. - You're so right about the need to be aware of context, common sense and manners - even if some of us (naming no names!) choose to disregard them from time to time.

 
At 4:57 PM, June 06, 2006, Blogger standing said...

I think that people really want to be seen ( & much like with children) any type of attention is still attention. Often this is done in a very loud way....loud language, clothing, jewelry; the vulgarity of show.

On the other end of the spectrum I think there are people who have grown so used to not being seen that they don't bother to see you either. It would never set in that what they are doing is offensive or disrespectful, because they never knew anyone was watching. ' Characteristics of the common people' vulgarity. This, I believe, is the root of the declining social courtesy. We have literally stopped seeing each other.


Great post, Ink! Thank you.

 
At 3:46 PM, June 08, 2006, Blogger ink said...

Interesting way of looking at this question, Standing. I think you're on to something there.

BTW, sorry for the delay in responding. I've been having trouble accessing Blogger over the past few days.

 
At 7:49 PM, June 08, 2006, Blogger Snooze said...

I agree with you that vulgarity seems to be prized in North American society. I love your point about Paris Hilton. It's so true, and so sad. That said, I don't think discussing sex is vulgar, even if it shocks us out of our comfort zones.

 
At 10:36 AM, June 13, 2006, Blogger Milo said...

Depends. It's all about time and place, I think. I, for one, tend to curse like a sailor, but I know better than to use such language in polite company.

I think the single greatest key to avoiding vulgarity is cultivating the ability to observe your surroundings and, whatever they may be, conduct yourself with grace.

"If manners maketh man, as some would say
He's a hero of the day,
Takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile.
Be yourself, no matter what they say.

--Sting, "Englishman in New York"

Just my thoughts.

 
At 12:59 PM, June 13, 2006, Blogger ink said...

Snooze - Good point. It's important to recognise the distinction between vulgarity and discomfort. Discussing sex is not inherently vulgar (hope that's reasonably obvious to everyone). However, I'd say it is *definitely* possible to be vulgar while talking about sex ... or any other topic, for that matter.

Spc. Freeman - Welcome! Thanks very much for taking the time to comment. I particularly like the link you draw between being yourself and conducting yourself with grace. There does seem to be an element of insecurity underpinning most - if not all -vulgar behaviour, doesn't there?

 

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