Pride And Prejudice Gender Roles Essay

Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by Jane Austen in the Regency Period of England. The book represents to the reader how females, marriage and social class were viewed at the time, as well as demonstrates Austen’s opinion on these matters in a somewhat satirical sense. The two marriage proposals in the book towards the lead female character, Elizabeth Bennet, are put forth by Mr Collins and Mr Darcy, both of whom exaggerate the social norms of the time; as women were not expected to marry for love, but for financial gain, the terms for both proposals are focused more on the gains of both the man and the woman rather than true feelings towards the affair. The ridiculed etiquette shows how Austen held the ‘rules’ of the time in low regard.

Page 12- “ They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by trade” Despite the Bingley family’s wealth and education, they have a lower social standing than the Bennets because their fortunes came from trade, or “new money.” -Marriage. Page 17 “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are so ever well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least...it is better to know as little as possible as the possible defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

Woman with money in the nineteenth century was not a common facet in such a society. Those without monetary value were looked down upon and concluded that the only way to be respected was through a matrimonial bond. Jane Fairfax is a kindhearted woman forced to believe marriage is the only option to avoid a life of servitude. Though everyone only had nice things to say of Ms. Fairfax she is still not financially stable enough to be considered into the class of the wealthy. Mr. Knightly would even comment that she must marry soon to avoid being a simple governess, but Jane does not want to believe outside of marriage her life would inevitably be like her relative; “Miss Bates stood in the very worst predicament in the world for having much of the public favour; and she had no intellectual superiority to make atonement to herself, or frighten those who might hate her, into outward respect...It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders”(Austen pg. 22). This character description of Miss Bates describes the outcome of failing to meet societal standards. A younger Miss Bates did not properly educate herself, obtain financial security independently, or receive monetary gain through marriage. Her

It is not a coincidence that the very first sentence in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice forecasts one of the most predominant themes in the novel and in Elizabethan literature. Only a male can inherit his family’s property and fortune, and so it behooves a woman, especially one used to a high standard of living, to pursue marriage with a wealthy man. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). The sentence provides an overview for the book as well, which concerns itself with the pursuit of “single men in possession of a good fortune”. This motif of Elizabethan marriages continues through the rest of the first passage when Mrs. Bennet announces the arrival of Mr. Bingly at Netherfield. She enlightens her daughters about Mr. Bingly saying, “He is a single man of large fortunes four or five thousand a year” (Austen 2). Austen skillfully

He thinks that Darcy could act arrogant because he is very rich and worth a lot of money, but his marriage is not under control. This younger son would fall in love with someone from a not very rich family; however, they are not able to marry because of their social

During the time period of the 1800s in England, not only was the economic situation different but the social norms were differently. Jane Austen depicts this greatly in her novel pride and prejudice, not only was the social classes a big deal, but the marriage between families was a bigger deal. Throughout the novel many of the characters encounter this problem of, love in marriage or money in marriage, and many of the families and females within this time period choice money in marriage. The author Jane Austen feels that the idea of marring for money rather than love is preposterous and expresses this through the character Elizabeth

In the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses irony to express a consensus norm in society during her time. Austen uses the word “universally” to put emphasis on her statement, but use of this word also adds a twist of sarcasm to the line. By using this word, Austen shows how significant gender roles and social class are in society at this time. Any man who is of high social and financial status is expected to marry. The women of this time period are expected to present themselves in a sophisticated manner to show they are worthy of being married.

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen introduces the major thematic concept of marriage and financial wealth. Throughout the novel, Austen depicts various relationships that exhibit the two recurring themes. Set during the regency period, the perception of marriage revolves around a universal truth. Austen claims that a single man “must be in want of a wife.” Hence, the social stature and wealth of men were of principal importance for women. Austen, however, hints that the opposite may prove more exact: a single woman, under the social limitations, is in want of a husband. Through this speculation, Austen acknowledges that the economic pressure of social acceptance serves as a foundation for a proper marriage.

Pride and Prejudice tells a story of a young girl in the midst of a very materialistic society. Jane Austen uses the setting to dramatize the restraints women had to endure in society. As the novel develops, we see how women have to act in a way according to their gender, social class, and family lineage. Elizabeth Bennet’s sisters represent the proper societal lady while Lizzy is the rebel. Through her characters Austen shows how a women’s happiness came second to the comfort of wealth. As the plot develops, events are laid out to illustrate how true love is unattainable when women marry for intentions of wealth. Women have very specific and limited roles in a society where men are the superior. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

The first two sentences, as opening lines of the book, indicate the significance of gender roles in the novel. The quotations serve to illustrate that the economics in the 19th century was very generous towards men and the fact that wealthy single men are obligated to be wanted by women who are in the same neighborhood to cover their insecurity. This gender insecurity causes women regardless their wealth to seek husbands to rely on. It is the reason that even though women, as well as men, own the right to inherit money, they refuse to live independently. Men inherit a fascinating lifestyle that is more beneficial than having a lump sum of money. Austen in the novel told readers precisely who has inherited what: The Miss Bingleys are worth £20,000 while their brother has an annual four or five. Miss Darcy’s fortune is £30,000, her brother’s £10,000 per annum. And Mrs. Bennet has a total of £4,000 while her husband

The only way young women could find economic security in early 19th century England was through marriage. Personal wealth was important for a man looking for a wife as well. It was clear in the novel that Catherine’s inherent wealth was an important factor in deciding if John Thorpe, one of Catherine’s love interests, wanted to marry her. Austen describes Catherine’s family as average, or middle class, as she describes Catherine’s father as, “a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectable man” (15). Although Catherine is described in this way, John assumes her wealth because of her connections with the Allen family.

A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!" (Austen, 1813, para. 14) She told of all this in the form of a story, showing

Unlike Elizabeth’s development throughout the text, Darcy’s growth occurs when he willingly releases his egotistic mentality in order to move forward with his decision in marrying Elizabeth, without lingering on her lower social background. With Darcy’s initial societal image, the prevalent theme of social communication is presented as Elizabeth builds up her harsh repertoire of misconceptions against Darcy from rumors that she is exposed to by Wickham. However, when Darcy’s true role is revealed in having caused Mr. Bingley’s marriage to Jane as well as Wickham’s marriage to Lydia, Austen highlights the development of Darcy’s character, as he now readily practices his compassion and integrity towards others. After Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s second proposal, Darcy reveals that as a child, “I was encouraged to be selfish and care none for beyond my own family circle” and to Elizabeth he states, “you taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most

The assumption of money implying the quality of one's past and future is concretely established in this scene. For this very reason, Sir Walter did not want his daughter to marry a working man. He was afraid that if she would settle with someone who was not economically fit, she would be at a disadvantage, which was a common misconception during this time period. “Though every profession is necessary and honorable in any, who can live in a regular way, choosing their own hours... I say, to hold the blessings of health and a good appearance to the utmost” (Austen 20). Austen utilizes this passage to explain the character of Sir Walter and also show how much of an impact his views have on Anne. Although she loves Wentworth, she values her father's opinion much more. Austen goes on to illustrate another important characteristic of a man by creating dialogue between Mr. Shepherd, a family friend who only speaks of non-controversial topics, and Anne. Mr. Shepherd goes on to say, “Wentworth- Oh! Mr. Wentworth, the curate of a Monk-ford. I thought you were speaking of some man of property; Mr Wentworth was a nobody, quite unconnected” (Austen 23). Property was also used as a measurement of one's social class, which made Wentworth “unworthy” of Anne. Wentworth's lower social standing caused anxiety to her family as they were afraid it would hurt Anne if they were to get married. The

It is truly impossible to believe that relationships have not changed at all since Austen’s time. Pride and Prejudice took place in a setting where the male had complete authority over the female, and primogeniture decided who received the family fortune. However, most of Austen’s main points about personal relationships still ring true today. For instance, Austen begins her novel by saying, “it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). People in