Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813(Gary vii) a time when women had “few legal and economic rights or even receiving little respect, women can be seen as oppressed victims of a patriarchal society, subordinate first to their fathers and, then, to their husbands who had, of course, been selected by their fathers” (Swords, 76-82). At first glance one might think that Pride and Prejudice reinforces sexist stereotypes, however upon further examination of Jane Austen and her heroine Elizabeth it is clear that Pride and Prejudice in fact erodes the sexist stereotypes of women.

Austen explains that being born a woman in such a society suggests that even less alternatives on whom to get married to or not to get married to, or how to establish the nature of a person’s life. Furthermore, the way in which the society weakens and controls women is useful in explaining Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet 's panic concerning the marriage of her beloved daughters, as well as why such marriages should always entail both financial and practical considerations. Coming from noble

‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Wuthering Heights’ are seen as being mainly concerned with social class and the wealth of those who are in the upper class but readers must consider other themes the novels are concerned with.

Jane could never imagine herself speaking with such confidence or even have such opinions for that matter. The last line of the quote, for instance, reflects on this idea that Jane tries to emulate this “proper women figure” blindly. Elizabeth’s demeanor in the section shows her feminist attitude that would not be otherwise found in a typical women in Regency period. Furthermore, Elizabeth openly displays her nature to Darcy when Bingley returns to England for the winter. In a letter from Caroline to Jane, it states that Bingley had fallen in love for Darcy’s sister Georgina.

Darcy and Mr. Wickham. However, Elizabeth’s misjudgment allows Mr. Darcy the chance to prove himself which shows “Darcy’s realization of the sovereignty of individual human worth,” (Zelicovici, 108) as he transforms from his prideful nature. Throughout the novel pride leads to downfall. Mr. Bingley’s sisters, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley also have pride and prejudice because of the desire to seem superior but it actually makes them look like selfish fools. For example, when they commend Elizabeth’s ambitious endeavour to walk to the Bingley estate from Longbourn her petticoat was “six inches deep in mud” giving her a “wild” appearance, according to Miss Bingley (Austen, 23). However, their rude comments are illy received by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley which exemplifies their petty mannerisms. Miss Bingley injures her reputation again when trying to impress Mr. Darcy with “perpetual commendations on [. . .] his hand-writing [. . .] with perfect unconcern with which her praises were received” (Austen, 31). This shows that the prideful nature of the two sisters does not impress the men. As Trollope boldly states, “Pretension was then as it is now the great social crime,” (Trollope, 52). This plotline recurs in modern

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

Austen uses Pride and Prejudice as a means to express her views on marriage, without being didactic. She frequently satirises views which oppose her own. Austen was a believer that men and women should be more equal. This view was also shared by feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft, who had once said, “virtue can only flourish among equal”. However, Wollstonecraft disliked the social hierarchy, whereas Austen respected it and thought whoever was at the “top”, deserved to be there. Austen believed that marriage should not be a means of climbing this hierarchy she idealised. Although this opposes the social conventions, Austen agrees that elopement should be condemned and accepts that wealth and social standing must be taken into

Pride and Prejudice’ is concerned with the equality of personhood between characters in the story. For instance, the marriage of Charlotte Lucas marriage to Mr. Collins which can be demonstrate the fact that marriage in the 19 century England, was ultimately seen as being an economic institution, dictated primarily by economic means. Miss Lucas, whom is a woman with small fortune, recognized her requirement for a wealthy husband to ensure that her social and cultural sustainment and thus, she marries Mr. Collins for whom she does not feel any loving emotion, “it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together”. Within this, Austen presents a more cynical view of marriage, that of happiness not as marital

The importance and values associated with marriage in Pride and Prejudice are reflected and strengthened through Weldon’s discussion of similarities and differences between contexts. Weldon juxtaposes the age of marriage between both contexts as Aunt Fay states that “Marriage was later, too: on average between twenty-five and twenty eight, though Jane Austen’s heroines seem to have stated panicking in their early twenties.” Through this comparison she is stating that although the rite of marriage is still an important aspect in life, it is not as significant as it was in regency times. This is reinforced by Fran

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows headstrong Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to maturity and her discovery of true love. The novel documents Elizabeth’s constantly complicated relationships with those around her, especially her family members. Although Elizabeth’s actions as a sister are central to the story, Mr. Darcy’s role as a brother plays a markedly more important role in the trajectory of the plot.

The wealthy class in the novel is not only represented by Mr. Darcy, but he is also accompanied by Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Although Mr. Bingley and his sisters are equally classified as belonging to the upper class, Mr. Darcy still has an advantage over the Bingleys as “Darcy was the superior...having ten thousand a-year” (Austen 18) while Mr. Bingley has “four or five thousand a-year” (Austen 6). Upon meeting Miss Elizabeth Bennet at a ball held by Mr. Bingley at his new estate in Netherfield Park, Mr. Darcy’s mannerisms were immediately noticed for he was handsome yet was “discovered to be proud, to be above his company” (Austen

Since its publication in the early nineteenth century, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, has become a critically acclaimed novel that is most noted for including a variety of characters, each with differing personalities and roles throughout the story. One character in particular, Mrs. Bennet, plays an important role that is often overlooked. Her behavior and lack of propriety reflects negatively on her character and her overbearing nature can call into question the capability of her parenting skills. Mrs. Bennet lacks the qualities of an attentive and loving mother and therefore endangers the happiness of her two eldest daughters throughout the novel.

Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, presents a case of almost lost love, while presenting characters of extreme diversity. Love, marriage, and the views of opposite sexes are common outlooks presented in Volume I of Jane Austen’s novel. One of the main characters that takes readers through a loop of different emotions is Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a wealthy gentlemen by birth. He has women flaunting over him at all times, so when Elizabeth gives him the cold shoulder, he is incredibly taken by surprise. His view on love starts out very materialistic, but slowly as his relationship with Elizabeth grows, we see a change in his behavior. Marriage, in Mr. Darcy’s opinion, should be kept within social classes and because of his wealth and wide range of women to pick from, his partner in marriage must possess every, almost unobtainable characteristic in which he admires. Darcy views women as objects, instead of human beings. He is more worried about what they have, instead of who they are. Although he seems set in his ways, readers start to slowly see a shift in these views as the volume comes to an end.

First impressions play a huge role in Pride and Prejudice. Characters form an instant liking or disliking to another based on first impressions. Characters establish their reputation by the first impressions they give of themselves. Furthermore, first impressions, once formed, are difficult to shake off. A variety of newcomers arrive at Hertfordshire, and Elizabeth forms impressions of each of them. While most of her impressions are accurate, some of her first impressions are dangerously wrong. The first impressions which Elizabeth and Darcy form of each other prevent their union.

Similarly, Mary's awkward and reclusive actions promote her as an agreeable suitor; this makes her the only Bennett sister to not have the opportunity to be married. The two oldest sisters contain the most agreeable and independent personalities among the Bennett sisters, which foreshadows their successful relationships. Jane’s positive attitude causes Bingley to be attracted to her, but Darcy questions Bingley’s choice. By the end of the novel, Bingley realizes that he made a mistake to leave Jane. Jane’s marriage is the first marriage bring prestige to the Bennetts. As for Elizabeth, her personality first comes across unagreeable to suitors, but suitors realize that she is the next respectful Bennett sister besides Jane. Darcy's entitled personality clashes with Elizabeth's prideful attitude; eventually, Darcy discovers that Elizabeth's odd behaviors results from taking care of her family. He admires her commitment; like Elizabeth, Darcy values his sister more than anyone. Darcy and Elizabeth family values cause them to find common ground away from their previous views of each other. Austen wrote the Bennetts' family dynamics to foreshadow the success of the sisters’ future marriage; they also demonstrate the importance of family values in a relationship.