Respectability

An outward appearance or social standing associated with proper, morally acceptable behaviour.

The appearance of behaving according to society’s accepted moral standards, especially through self-control, propriety and an honourable public life.

Respectability involved self-control, proper behaviour and an honourable public identity. A scandal could threaten not only an individual but also his family and associates. This encouraged secrecy when private conduct conflicted with public expectations.

The belief or impression that someone behaves properly and deserves social approval. Protecting respectability influences the characters’ willingness to discuss wrongdoing.

When discussing setting, connect the contrasting entrances to secrecy and respectability rather than simply listing Gothic features.

Build an argument about Jekyll, rather than listing his traits: connect his desire for respectability to his secrecy, choices and eventual loss of control.

Connect Victorian respectability and professional confidentiality to a particular action, such as locking away the letter, instead of adding a separate context paragraph.

A socially approved reputation based on behaviour considered proper, moral and dignified.

Social approval gained through behaviour considered proper, moral and reputable. In Victorian society, maintaining this public standing could encourage discretion and secrecy.

The appearance of behaving according to accepted social and moral standards, often associated with maintaining a good public reputation.

The public appearance of being morally upright and socially acceptable, which may or may not reflect someone’s private conduct.

The appearance of meeting society’s expectations of proper, trustworthy behaviour; this does not necessarily prove moral goodness.

Social recognition that someone behaves according to accepted standards of propriety and morality.

The appearance of being socially acceptable and morally trustworthy. Dickens explores how respectable manners and clothing can conceal wrongdoing.

Social approval gained through apparently proper conduct, self-control and a good public reputation.

Among Victorian gentlemen, public respectability involved self-control, proper behaviour and a trustworthy name. Reputation could affect both social acceptance and professional standing. This created a powerful incentive to conceal conduct that might cause scandal.

The public impression that someone behaves properly and deserves social approval. In Jekyll and Hyde, protecting this impression can encourage secrecy.

A socially approved reputation based on qualities such as proper conduct, professional standing and moral behaviour.

The impression of moral goodness and proper behaviour that gives someone social standing.

Social standing based on appearing morally proper and behaving according to accepted conventions.

The appearance or practice of behaviour that society considers proper, honourable and worthy of respect.

Social recognition that a person or family behaves in ways considered proper and morally acceptable.

Elizabeth warns: “Our importance, our respectability in the world, must be affected”. The repeated possessive “our” emphasises collective consequences. She is not merely complaining that Lydia is annoying: she understands that all the sisters may suffer through Lydia’s lack of restraint.

An appearance of socially approved behaviour, associated in Victorian gentlemanly society with dignity, self-control and a good reputation.

A socially approved reputation for moral behaviour, self-control and good standing.

A socially approved reputation based on apparently proper behaviour, status and moral conduct.

Social standing gained by appearing morally proper and behaving according to accepted conventions.

The quality of meeting a society’s expectations of proper behaviour and gaining its approval; it does not necessarily prove moral goodness.

Behaviour considered socially proper and worthy of public approval, often associated in the novel with wealth and established status.

In Chapter 19, the narrator connects her outlook to “the privileges of” what society calls “respectability” and contrasts it with the experiences of “the poor who are born poor”. The ironic inverted commas around “respectability” question the automatic association between social prestige and moral authority. Nancy’s comfortable upbringing limits her ability to imagine the pleasures attached to modest, familiar routines.

The appearance of behaving according to accepted social and moral standards, associated in Victorian society with status, self-control and a good public name.

The appearance of behaving according to accepted social and moral standards, especially important to the public standing of a Victorian gentleman.

A character's good social standing: being considered honourable and acceptable by others.

The appearance of behaving according to accepted social and moral standards, earning public approval.

The social standing gained by appearing to follow accepted standards of morality, dignity and proper behaviour.

Social acceptance based on behaviour considered proper and morally acceptable. It is not necessarily the same as genuine kindness or integrity.

A reputation for acceptable conduct and social standing. In Silas Marner, it can reflect class privilege rather than genuine moral worth.

Social standing based on appearing proper, trustworthy and morally acceptable.

A socially approved public appearance or behaviour, associated in the novella with good manners, reputation and avoiding scandal.

An outward appearance of good behaviour and social standing that earns the approval of others.

Social acceptance gained by appearing to follow approved standards of behaviour, manners and morality.

Definition

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AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720