Topic > Female Representation in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

IndexAbstractIntroductionConclusionAbstractWomen in the nineteenth century did not have much choice about their future. Abiding by the laws of primogeniture, women could not inherit property and had to depend on marriage for support. Therefore, they could marry or become governesses in a wealthy aristocratic family, provided they were sufficiently educated. Austen's plots often explored this dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social position and economic security, and the novel Pride and Prejudice is no different. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In this essay, I would like to explore the complexities of female representation in the novel. Introduction During the regency period, it was more difficult to be a woman, especially a writer. The disdain for women writers that Austen faced throughout her career is clearly visible in her biography, A Memoir, whose author James Edward Austen-Leigh, Austen's nephew, expresses his concern for his aunt's writing, worried "that her aunt's letters are seen as too gossipy and discursive." Many critics have further criticized Austen's works as focusing only on the female-centric domestic world and not on the so-called "serious" issues of the socio-political scenario of era as did her contemporary, Walter Scott. However, 21st century readers may consider this a misinterpretation because being a writer, Austen portrayed the world she witnessed and was not hypocritical in her choice of subject matter. for his novels.It is through his novels that we get a vivid description of the English countryside and an implicit glimpse into the politics of power within English aristocratic families. In Austen's time, women felt they could do no more than what was expected of them. Marriages were arranged, mostly within the same social class. Many women got married so that society would not look down on them. They could become rulers; however, that “was a position below the social rank and status of middle- and upper-class young women and was therefore considered demeaning” as analyzed by Barbara Swords. Furthermore, women could not inherit property. Once married, they lost control over both their possessions and their destiny and became the property of their husbands. Women were therefore not independent and independence was associated with masculinity. Likewise, a woman whose parents did not possess a large fortune had very little chance of finding a husband. As for education, women were educated at home or in girls' schools, and "these studies were thought to be sufficient to provide a girl with the results needed to attract a suitable husband," as Swords reiterates. In daily life women, especially those of higher class, attended and organized dinners, but even there women had to respect rules such as: "The ladies sit for a quarter of an hour longer, during which sometimes sweet wines are served , then get up from the table. . . However, every man is free to follow women whenever he wants,” as Kristen Hughes describes. It is quite obvious that the same rules did not apply to both men and women. Young unmarried women were introduced to society at country dances and assemblies. It was an excellent opportunity for them to meet men and find a perfect partner, but even when it came to events of this kind, there were rules of conduct for young womenobserved by Hughes. As a result, there were many constraints on women's freedom and way of life in Regency England, so it is no wonder that many writers of the time decided to explore these themes in their work describing women's lives. The novel Pride and Prejudice deals with the life of the Bennet family focusing on the life of Elizabeth, the main protagonist of the story who is the second of five daughters. Since Mr. Bennet has no male heir, all of his estates would be vested in Mr. Collins, a distant cousin of Elizabeth, after his death, leaving all five of his daughters homeless. It is for this particular reason that Mrs. Bennet devotes her entire life to finding a suitable husband for her daughters, made clear when the narrator says, "The goal of her life was to get her daughters married." Mrs. Bennet is a loving and selfless mother and all she had ever wanted in her life was the well-being of her daughters. She is characterized as an illiterate woman with "bad understanding", "little information", "uncertain character", who has a chatty language and who is also teased by her husband. The irony lies in the fact that a woman who has always respected social norms cannot get even the slightest respect from her partner. However, his love for his daughters is sometimes overshadowed by his ambition for them. One such example occurs when he makes his daughter travel on horseback instead of in a carriage when she goes to meet Mr. Bingley in Netherfield hoping that it will rain. When Jane becomes ill, Mrs. Bennet is not too worried. On the contrary, "she is very happy and satisfied with the opportunity that her daughter has to be there longer and to be closer to Mr. Bingley", as Florentino Oliviera analyses. Mrs. Bennet is someone who expresses her opinion even when it is inappropriate. For example, in a room full of people, Mrs. Bennet brazenly tells Lady Lucas of her expectation that Jane will soon be married to Mr. Bingley. She is very naive in thinking that her behavior cannot alter the fate of her daughters. Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy, and his sisters say: “with such a low father and mother, and such low connections; the Bennet daughters have no chance of marrying rich.” Therefore, it is evident how much social ties and a family's reputation determine a woman's life and her future, a future that can only be secured through marriage. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet is described as having “a lively and playful character who delights in anything.” ridiculous". Due to her intelligence and observations, she is one of the most famous literary characters of all time. Elizabeth transcends her family members in her ways and understanding of life. Furthermore, she directly expresses her opinion and has a sharp tongue, which often shocks those who believe that women should not be allowed such freedom. During his conversation with Lady Catherine, who is a very powerful woman, he answers many questions but with some reservations and states his opinion on various norms. social When Lady Catherine discovers that the five daughters have been raised without a governess, she is shocked because it is unimaginable that the young women have not been taught necessary skills such as drawing and playing an instrument. However, Elizabeth rebels against this notion by saying that reading it is what nourishes the mind and that other skills that women are forced to learn are not necessary. Elizabeth can be considered a truly modern woman when she talks about her thoughts on marriage. She understands the true purpose of marriage, something neither her mother nor her sisters understand. In a society where.