To have value suggests a level of merit, wealth or importance. In the 18th century, this value system made strong distinctions in where one would identify their standing in such a classification. In Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Laurence Sterne’s A Sentimental Journey, we delve into the complex issues of society where aristocracy, meritocracy and the ability to feel each contribute differently to the value of a human being. Although the form they use differs, they both enable the reader to interact and create judgments about the characters. Whether one will argue if it elevates or diminishes our perception of their worth is determined by the system in that particular society. Because our protagonists are units within this community, these issues are amplified and evident in their conflicted personality and desires.
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