Abstract. This paper explores Jane Austen’s literary representation of social values and class as fundamental elements of early 19th-century English identity. Through her novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma, Austen offers a subtle yet profound commentary on the moral, social, and gender-based expectations that shaped Englishness in her time. Austen critiques patriarchal inheritance laws, class hierarchy, and the constraints placed on women, while also presenting a vision of virtue rooted in emotional intelligence and ethical conduct. By analyzing the contrast between characters, this study highlights Austen’s nuanced engagement with class dynamics, intellectual independence, and moral development. Drawing on scholarly perspectives, the paper argues that Austen’s work challenges social conventions while still operating within their bounds, reflecting a complex and evolving vision of English society.