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Evaluating Mr and Mrs Bennet as Parents Essay

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Evaluating Mr and Mrs Bennet as Parents In the 21st century, the definition of a 'good parent' remains clouded and vague. It is basically down to the judgement of the parent raising their children in a way that they view appropriate. The same goes for the 18th century and every other century before and beyond.

Parenting styles can be influenced by society's expectations and ideas of what 'good parenting' is. This goes for Mr and Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Their relative roles can be contrasted as a mother who is blinded by appearance, regarding wealth and status highly and a father who looks beyond appearances to …show more content…

Rather than interpreting her as a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper, we should perceive her as a prudent mother despite her sometimes irrational remarks.

As we progress through every chapter, a clearer picture of Mr Bennet is drawn. We see him firmly attached to his books and readings, and more detached from his family. Even when Elizabethwarns him not to allow Lydia to go to Brighton, for her own safety, he barely acknowledges Elizabeth's statement and proceeds in his own thoughts. It seems that Mr and Mrs Bennet are both two sides of the same coin; they both ignore the needs of their daughters.

As we take a step back and look at the broader picture we realise that they actually complement each other in their different views. Mr Bennet being the intellectual and Mrs. Bennet being the practical woman. I believe both parents provide a diverse set of personalities, that all the daughters can take upon and learn from, when they are fully grown independent women. For instance the show of Elizabeth's independent streak when she goes to visit her sister in Netherfield on foot, despite her mother telling her to go by horse "No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing"

I believe that deep down Mrs Bennet is not a bad woman or a bad mother. Her take on life

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