JANE BOWDLER Meaning and
Definition
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Jane Bowdler was a British writer and moral reformer, born in the 18th century. She is best known for her work in moral censorship and her contribution to the publication "The Family Shakespeare," which aimed to provide a cleansed and more wholesome version of Shakespeare's plays.
In terms of her moral reforms, Jane Bowdler focused primarily on the elimination of explicit content and language from literary works, with a particular emphasis on those that could be deemed inappropriate for women and children. Her efforts were driven by the belief that literature should promote virtuous behavior and serve as a positive influence on society.
Her most notable achievement, "The Family Shakespeare," was a modified edition of Shakespeare's plays released in 1807, in collaboration with her brother Thomas Bowdler. In this edition, they removed or altered several scenes and dialogues that were considered too controversial or morally objectionable. These modifications were intended to make the works more suitable for family consumption, aligning with Jane Bowdler's principles of moral improvement.
The name "Jane Bowdler" has since become synonymous with the act of censoring or editing literature to render it more acceptable by societal norms, particularly in reference to removing explicit or controversial content. This term is often used to discuss the actions of individuals who restrict or modify artistic works for moral reasons. Furthermore, it serves as a testament to the historical influence of Jane Bowdler and her contributions to the field of literary censorship and moral reform.
Etymology of JANE BOWDLER
There doesn't appear to be any specific word or phrase called "jane bowdler" in the English language. It is possible that you might be referring to two separate terms - "Jane" and "Bowdler".
The name "Jane" is a feminine given name of English origin. It has been in use since medieval times and is derived from the Old French name "Jehanne", which is a feminine form of "Jean" or "Jehan". "Jane" itself became popular in England during the Tudor period.
On the other hand, "Bowdler" is a surname that originated from England. It is derived from the Old English word "bold", meaning "bold" or "courageous", combined with the Old English word "leah", meaning "woodland" or "clearing".
