Nature and Art is the second novel written by English actress, playwright, and novelist Elizabeth Inchbald. First published in 1796, Inchbald's two-volume novel considers the influence of education, social conventions, gender conditioning, and privilege on human behavior. Nature and Art is a satirical fable published in 1796, which is told in the third person narrative. It consists of forty seven chapters, each one is between two and five pages long. It tells the story of two successive generations, and the corrupting effects of the social system in place at the time. It is quite a blunt, rather than subtle, attack on the societal structure, along with a critical reflection on a woman's place in society at that time. Throughout the story Elizabeth Inchbald analyses the effect of education, power and privileges has on human behaviour. Some characters are brothers William and Henry Norwynne, as well as their sons, also named William and Henry. Considered a Jacobin novel, Nature and Art traces the connections between the character's personal experiences and larger structures of institutional oppression. Notably, Nature and Art is an early example of a Romantic era novel with a title of paired opposites, like to the later novel Sense and Sensibility (1811) by Jane Austen. Plot The story begins with two brothers William (Elder) and Henry, as they leave their native town and travel to London, following the death of their father, a country shopkeeper. Both brothers are under twenty years old, and hope to acquire a living in London. It would appear they are not financially secure as 'through death, their father escaped his creditors'. As they travel Henry weeps, while William does his best to suppress tears. They arrive in London and soon find every attempt to secure employment is met with obstacles. However, there is one thing Henry can do, which is to play the fiddle. Once this becomes known, Henry is invited into company that enables his advancement. He is overjoyed, but also unable to fully enjoy his situation while his brother has not secure a living. Henry offers to teach William to play the violin, but his offer is vehemently refused by his brother. They both agree that he William is much more adept to learning academia than music, so Henry suggests William should go to one of the universities to study. William manages to attend university with the help and support of Henry, who