We the readers can also see that Lizzy would not receive vast portion of her family’s estate as the entailments of the Bennet line fall to the closest male relative. Jane Austen and modern writers alike acknowledge a woman’s pursuit of lifelong stability which greatly influences marriage.
"Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony"2
‘Given all this, some women were willing to marry just because marriage was the only allowed route to financial security’3
Elizabeth’s only choice in retaining a comfortable, seemingly well-off life, is to wed. Without a husband, she will surely become an old maid, if not drop a little down the social hierarchy. Her sense of personal independence and bravery is demonstrated when twice she refuses offers of marriage from respectable men.
1 ‘A character analysis of Elizabeth Bennet’, 10 April 2008
2 Jane Austen, Letter 13 March 1816, 10 April 2008
www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html - 81k
3 ‘Marriage: The status of women’ 10 April 2008
http://mural.uv.es/tamah/pptopic2.html
‘Elizabeth Bennet is very brave for the position in life that she is in. To not marry would put one in a very precarious situation financially and to be able to denounce tradition for the sake of one’s principles is foolhardy but brave.’4
Elizabeth demonstrates qualities that are infrequent in women of her era. These traits emphasise a contrast between Elizabeth and stereotypical heroines.
Elizabeth is portrayed as having certain masculine attributes through the particularly
close alignment with her father and her carefree actions that disregard societies’
wishes of a lady’s behaviour. While her younger sisters are likened to their mother in their absurdity, a similarity in character and intellect is seen between Elizabeth and her father.
‘“They have none of them much to recommend them,” declares Mr. Bennet of his five daughters; “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters”’5
This quotes suggests that Elizabeth possesses a considerably lesser amount of daftness than her mother and sisters, which makes her an intellectual counterpart to her father. In Regency England, women were not deemed as equal in rank to men, yet Elizabeth does her best to eliminate this barrier, addressing men in a self assured, well informed manner. Her retaliations to Darcy as well as her close relationship to her father demonstrate her feministic attitude. Mr Bennet similarly sides with Lizzy against her mothers will in both the above recommendation of his daughters and in Lizzy’s refusal of Mr Collins.
“‘From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. – Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do’”6
As a result of Lizzy’s deep analysis in most areas (which has thus been proven to be a trait singular to her out of all the female characters in Pride and Prejudice) Mr Bennet questions her motives behind accepting Darcy’s proposal.
"He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane. But will they make you happy?"7
This is a enquiry he would never direct at either one of his other daughters as he believes none of them would be concerned with these ‘trivialities’ as long as they were well provided for in material ways.
Lizzy’s values are shown to be rare among the women in her society as they are less materialistic.
Lizzy repeatedly emphasises throughout the novel how ‘fond’ she is of walking. As Elizabeth places little importance on material possessions and shows more appreciation for nature, she does not give a second thought to walking 3 miles to Netherfield Park, Mr Bingley’s residence. Her degree of femininity is tainted by this strenuous physical activity, suggesting she takes no care in her appearance (something women should stereotypically always be conscious of) and should not insist on the comfort and cleanliness of a carriage ride. Elizabeth arrives at his estate dishevelled, provoking Miss Bingley to snidely remark,
4 ‘A character analysis of Elizabeth Bennet’, 10 April 2008
5 Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (London: Penguin Books 1813) 10 April 2008
6 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
7 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
Lizzy repeatedly emphasises throughout the novel how ‘fond’ she is of walking. As Elizabeth places little importance on material possessions and shows more appreciation for nature, she does not give a second thought to walking 3 miles to Netherfield Park, Mr Bingley’s residence. Her degree of femininity is tainted by this strenuous physical activity, suggesting she takes no care in her appearance (something women should stereotypically always be conscious of) and should not insist on the comfort and cleanliness of a carriage ride. Elizabeth arrives at his estate dishevelled, provoking Miss Bingley to snidely remark “I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.”8
Elizabeth is shown up to be unladylike and untamed by this activity. She is seen as having the more masculine qualities of self-assurance in comparison to the well-groomed, vain women at Netherfield. All female heroines are depicted as taking physical care in consideration of the impressions outsiders are likely gain from their exterior, yet Elizabeth is much more suited to the male stereotype of careless in this area.
Elizabeth’s assertive behaviour is evident throughout the novel from her relaxed dialogue amongst family to her impertinent responses to Darcy and Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Traditional heroines are seen to be passive and do not argue their opinions strongly against those of others. They conform to the female stereotype as knowing their position in life as the inferior gender and showing respect to men as well as older, wiser characters through their unobtrusive actions. Elizabeth constantly voices her judgments on a situation and rarely holds her tongue out of respect. Elizabeth displays impudence in a society set based around a class system. Being of a lower division, Elizabeth is expected to act in a manner that recognises Lady Catherine as her superior. Yet Elizabeth displays no alteration in her character upon meeting the latter, which proves a certain lack of regard to Lady Catherine.
‘“Upon my word,” said her Ladyship, “you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person.- Pray, what is your age?”’
‘”With three younger sisters grown up,” replied Elizabeth smiling, “your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.”’9
For Lady Catherine to comment on Elizabeth’s assertiveness to someone of her rank, alone displays an overstepping of class boundaries. Yet Elizabeth goes further as to cheekily decline an answer to her Ladyship’s question of age. Most women in such a position in the social hierarchy would not consider such a comment for fear of sounding too disrespectful. Later in the novel we encounter Lady Catherine again when she makes a visit to the Bennets’ with the intention of deciphering Elizabeth’s plans on marriage. Elizabeth informs Lady Catherine, “I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me” 10
A great deal of disrespect is shown by Elizabeth with this statement. She demonstrates a low recognition of her rank and those of others and will certainly never back down in an argument like the stereotypical passive heroine.
8 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
9 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
10 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
Elizabeth’s uniqueness of character is evident through her bravery, her degree of masculinity, assertiveness and independence. She does not express a reliance on men or her family in the novel, which is common to women in her society and traditional heroines alike. Pride and Prejudice displays the similarities between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth recognises this connection at the end of the novel when she tells
her father, "He and I are so alike... we're both so stubborn." 11This strong likeness can only be made because Elizabeth represents an alternative model of femininity.
11 Austen, Pride and Prejudice 10 April 2008
Bibliography
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (London: Penguin Books 1813)
Jane Austen, Letter 13 March 1816, www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html - 81k
‘A character analysis of Elizabeth Bennet’