Eighteenth Century to Modern Day woman's status.

"I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte, - "you must be surprised, - so lately as Mr Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic you know. I never was. I only ask for a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collins's character, connections and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness is fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."

Miss Lucas does not marry for love but at the age of twenty-seven she feels that Mr Collins is her last chance of being married. She states, "I am not romantic you know." This automatically implies that she is not in love with the clergyman, Mr Collins, but is marrying him for a different reason. She then goes on to say that she only asks for a comfortable home and because of Mr Collins's state in society she will be as happy as anyone else might.

Jane and Elizabeth, the two eldest of the five Bennet girls, want to marry for love and for Elizabeth there is no other option. Jane says to Elizabeth near the beginning of 'Pride and Prejudice' that she will try to marry well for the family.

At first Elizabeth has feelings for Wickham, which were soon put to rest by the truth of his character being exposed by Mr Darcy, and then possibly Fitzwilliam, but nothing of consequence. Eventually she falls for the desirable Mr Darcy, when she over looks her pride and prejudice although she speaks her mind and is thought by many to be disgraceful. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is Mr Darcy's aunt, did not see this match very kindly. She calls upon Elizabeth at Longbourn and allows her sentiments to be known. Lady de Bourgh is very rich and expects to listened to because of her high status. "And you promise me, never to enter into sich an engagement?" She forbids Elizabeth from marrying Mr Darcy before he proposes because of the gap in society. Only Elizabeth takes no notice and does it anyway.

Divorce used to be a sin that only men could commit if he was unhappy with his wife. She was never able to divorce him until much later on. On average, today one in three marriages end in divorce and either person in that marriage can end it as long as they have been married for a year.

The prospect of employment is one of the factors that has also changed. In the eighteenth century, a man was looked sneered at if he worked and a woman working was unheard of. There were only a few occupations women could belong to and these were for the destitute women who had to work to survive. These jobs were: Governess, seamstress, maid, nanny, housekeeper or other household service, bar maid or prostitute. All of these were degrading and paid very little. Mrs Bennet's brother who is an attorney, the soldiers and Mr Collins are all treated with contempt because of their lower working class. Mr Collins is treated quite rudely by Mr Darcy at the Neitherfield ball, when Mr Darcy walks away from him while he is mid sentence. Mr Darcy would not act such a way if Mr Collins was not of a lower and a working class.

Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst and Mr Darcy look down on and express amusement at Mr and Mrs Phillips, Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Bennet, because they don't have good money. Miss Bingley actually says, "I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton." Then they burst out laughing and found it rather amusing. These days' women want careers and high paying jobs in accountancy or law and it is shameful not to work.

A woman was never allowed to own anything unless she came from a very rich family who were able to afford to make a will, in the case of the de Bourgh's and the Darcy's'. All the belongings including the humble abode and furniture would be legally owned by the nearest male relative on the moment of the owners decease. The nearest male relative was usually a son but if they were no sons, as in Mr Bennet's case, everything would have to be given to a cousin or a nephew. Now in the twenty-first century, belongings can be dispatched to anyone whom the owner intends: male or female, family or friend.

Voting was a thing for only rich men to do. Women were never involved because their views were seen to be inadequate and non-important, as they were seen as trophies on a man's arm. This is very different from today of course, because everyone over eighteen is allowed one vote, despite their status or sex.

Education has also, seen an extensive transformation. Girls would by no means attend a school and only extremely wealthy parents would send a boy to a private school. A girl was supposed to be pretty and not clever and be there when and if they are needed. For them to have an opinion, like Elizabeth Bennet, and speak their mind was wrong and rude. So if they were taught too much then they may start thinking for themselves. If a child were taught anything it would have been from their mother or Governess. Girls were taught to understand writing, sew, to play the piano or another instrument and dance. These skills were essential if a woman was to become accomplished. This meant they could achieve what they were trained to do exceptionally well and could sing and play to an audience. As time went on, becoming accomplished became less and less important, until the present day, when it has become a exceptional occurrence for somebody to be able to play an instrument extremely well. It is now compulsory for each person to attend a school until the minimum age of sixteen.

Sewing, reading, letter writing, walking and instruments were what women used to do as leisure activities. They would occasionally play a round of cards, go riding, or dance. For example in Volume One, Chapter Two, Mr Bennet asks Elizabeth, "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?" A ball was extremely popular with women in the nineteenth century. It was a chance for them to meet young men and have some fun. Two centuries later, women are swimming, running, driving, watching television and doing the identical things for fun as men, activities that would disgrace people in the nineteenth century.

As you can see, since the eighteenth century, many changes have occurred within daily life. Changes including love, marriage and divorce, inheritance, belongings and voting. Women are now equal to men, which is very different.

Sara Moore