Final answer:
Jane Austen's main target of satire in her novels was the societal conventions and expectations of her time, particularly regarding marriage and the position of women. She used humor and wit to critique these conventions and reveal their faults.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main target of Jane Austen's satire in her novels is the societal conventions and expectations of her time, particularly regarding marriage and the position of women in society. Austen used her characters, such as Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, to highlight the constrained position of women and to critique the prevailing view that a woman's social advancement and financial security depended solely on marriage.
Austen's satirical tone is characterized by irony and a coolly detached perspective. Her style reflects the morals and conventions of the upper classes in the 19th century, which she presents accurately. Despite the formal style, her novels continue to resonate with modern readers.
Through her satire, Austen exposes the faults, foolishness, and immoral practices of the authorities and society. She uses humor and wit to criticize societal mannerisms, especially those of the aristocracy. Austen's satirical works, like her Comedy of Manners novels, aim to reveal and challenge the folly and questionable practices of the time.