Published in 1813, how does Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice fit in with traditional presentations of women in literature of this period?

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Published in 1813, how does Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice fit in with traditional presentations of women in literature of this period?

In the novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Jane Austen challenges traditional presentations of women in nineteenth century literature through various female and male characters. In Jane Austen's time, there was no opportunity for young women of the "genteel" classes to achieve independence. No professions were open to women; unmarried women had to live with their families, or with family-approved protectors if a suitable marriage was not arranged. It was almost unheard of for a genteel, young, single female to live by herself, even if she happened to be an heiress. Female survival was therefore dependent on marriage and marriage was dependent on many other factors. To be desirable to men women had to be beautiful, youthful, and physically weak, of limited intellect and preferably from wealthy families. Austen explores these issues by featuring both submissive, conventional female characters and non-conformist female characters that challenge nineteenth century traditional gender roles.

Mrs Bennet is a conventional, irritating woman whose main goal in life is to get her five daughters married. This reflects the social and financial pressure she is under as a mother. Her husband's estate is left to his nephew, Mr Collins, upon Mr Bennet's death, therefore, Mrs Bennet wanted her daughters to have financial stability elsewhere in case of their father's death. In the time period of this novel there was very little social acceptance of women who remained single for the rest of their lives. For the most part, women could not acquire money on their own without inheriting or marrying into wealth. Women who could not find a husband were often referred to, and labelled as “old maids” and lived their whole lives as economic burdens to their parents. This explains why Mrs Bennet does not want this life for herself or for any of her daughters. She is a traditional woman who, like many women of the era, occupied her time gossiping about neighbours and finding future husbands for her daughters, for material gain rather than ensuring her daughters’ happiness. This is shown clearly in the text when Lydia is to be married, Mrs Bennet's "thoughts and her words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants". On Elizabeth's marriage she exclaimed, "What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! ... A house in town! ... Ten thousand a year! ... I shall go distracted!" This illustrates Jane Austen’s view of traditional women, as she mocks and criticises nineteenth century materialistic attitudes towards marriage. While Mr Bennet says, "He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane. But will they make you happy?" Mrs Bennet cares not for happiness but talks of Mr Darcy’s wealth, which exposes traditional women to be unintelligent, single minded, and unable to look beyond money, but also as victims of social conditions.

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In the era of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ becoming an "old maid" was not considered a desirable fate, so when Charlotte Lucas, at age twenty-seven, marries Mr Collins, her brothers are "relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid." Charlotte like many women of that period is willing to marry just because it is the only route to financial security, and to escape an uncongenial family situation. Charlotte Lucas’ pragmatic views on marriage are voiced several times in the novel: "Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object." She is twenty-seven, ...

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