To what extent is Austen critical of the impact of social values on the development of the two main relationships? Bingley and Jane, Darcy and Elizabeth.
To what extent is Austen critical of the impact of social values on the development of the two main relationships? Bingley and Jane, Darcy and Elizabeth.
I think that social values of Darcy's family affect Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship the most because he is from a richer background than she is. Although this is also the case between Jane and Bingley, we find out later in the novel that this is not so much of an issue for Bingley. This is why the relationship develops more quickly than Elizabeth and Darcy. She is critical because she ignores the fact that the social values of the upper class society of that time, would make it difficult for the relationship to proceed and develop. The same problem occurs in the relationship between Bingley and Jane, except it would be made slightly easier to develop the relationship because they can see that they are in love with each other, unlike Darcy and Elizabeth.
The two relationships are very different in the way they develop. Bingley and Jane obviously love each other from the very first time they meet, but class and Bingley's relations delay their union, whereas prejudice and fear prevent Lizzy and Darcy from an early marriage. The common thing that divides these two couples is social values and morals. Again these are the values of Darcy's family, and of upper class society.
Bingley first shows his admiration at the ball that is held at Mereton, Bingley announces to Darcy, 'Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!' Jane admits her admiration the next day during Lizzy and Jane's reflection on the ball. This helps in the development of the relationship between Bingley and Jane, because she has admitted her admiration to her sister. Whether or not her sister approves her admiration, this shows that although society may not approve, she is not afraid to show her feelings. I think it is fairly obvious from the start that social ...
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Bingley first shows his admiration at the ball that is held at Mereton, Bingley announces to Darcy, 'Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!' Jane admits her admiration the next day during Lizzy and Jane's reflection on the ball. This helps in the development of the relationship between Bingley and Jane, because she has admitted her admiration to her sister. Whether or not her sister approves her admiration, this shows that although society may not approve, she is not afraid to show her feelings. I think it is fairly obvious from the start that social values will not affect this relationship as much as Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship.
Although Bingley and Jane were obviously meant to marry from the first time that they met, Bingley's relations and Darcy prevented them from doing so. I feel that Darcy's relations feel that Bingley is lowering his status by marrying the daughter of a lower class family. If the Bingley's had not left Netherfield to go back to London, then Darcy would have not withheld the information that Jane was in London, maybe Bingley and Jane would have got married before they did. This was a negative turning point on both of the relationships, because Lizzy was not very happy about what Darcy did to Bingley and Jane's relationship, and so she refused to consent to marry Darcy over this fact when he Proposed, I think, although she only finds out this later in the novel. This was a negative factor on the Bingley and Jane's relationship, because she thought he didn't care for her any more because he could not make the time to go and visit her.
She is critical of social values at this point because she ignores the fact that although Darcy and Lizzy still are arguing, Lizzy is so Stubborn to admit her love to Darcy, and is therefore denying the feelings that she definitely has for him, and this is obvious to the reader. This effectively slows the process of development between the two.
Despite the obvious fact that the Bennet's walk the thin line between higher and middle class society, however manage to stay on that line throughout the story, the Mother of the household is trying to marry off her children as if they belonged to a middle class family. The Bennet's have very high-class friends, and still ignore the fact that they stick out like a sore thumb, trying to get all the girls married off before the house is entailed to Mr Collins; they continue to do so. Austen is critical of the social values because she fails to point this out during the course of the book.
In chapter 34 Mr Darcy proposes to Lizzy in a way that shows that although his mind says "no", his heart says "yes". This is a Major turning point that is both good and bad. It is good because Darcy becomes much less proud of his social position, and much more aware of his feelings. It is bad because although Darcy pours his heart out and says 'You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.' Lizzy still refuses him and asks why he is 'offending' and 'insulting' her with such a remark, thinking that this is just a sick kind of joke that he would take pleasure in playing. She even accuses him of 'ruining' her sister chances of marriage, although we later find out in the novel, that Bingley and Jane work around this problem. Austen is Critical of the upper class social values once more because obviously Lizzy is much more fastidious than Charlotte, who only wants to marry so she can be settled down and have money, so she says no now, but then she proposes to him and Darcy, possibly, wonders why.
In all I think Jane Austen obviously does not like the social values of the upper class of society, and has no problem in showing it in this amazing novel. Austen sends a slight message across telling people not to follow the society, and follow their heart. I believe that now, thanks to Jane Austen. I also get the slightest feeling that she wrote this book in contempt towards Georgian society, which denied her the feeling, which both relationships on the book felt, of true love.
Adam Petford
