Within the book Mrs Bingley gives the reader an insight as to what was looked for in a potential wife all of which ironically Elizabeth does not agree with “A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must posses a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved”, all of which Elizabeth struggled to comply with.
It is her liveliness and her opinionated manner that ultimately attracts the arrogant Darcy to her, and her belief that that she should not conform to the idea of marrying for money and social status as was the general belief of the day. She is reluctant to place marriage at the centre of her ambitions without any regard for feelings or circumstances.
Despite being intent on marrying for love and not money, Elizabeth’s strong principals almost put her family’s financial security and future at risk. The belief of the day was that if a man proposed and that he was of a high social standing that the offer should be accepted regardless of whether the two parties concerned loved one another. This situation does arise when Mr Collins a clergyman and heir to Mr Bennet’s estate proposes to Elizabeth. Described by Elizabeth as a “conceited, pompous, narrow minded, silly man” she declines his offer of marriage, despite the acceptance of the proposal having positive implications on the family as the estate would remain in their name. This refusal of marriage would have been very shocking as it was something that women of the day did not do regardless of whether they were in love or not. However it was not Elizabeth’s intention to conform to the idea of marrying for wealth and security rather than love and so continues in search of love.
Elizabeth’s contempt for society does not just stop at her refusal to marry Mr Collins. Throughout the novel Elizabeth continues to disregard what others think about her as can be seen when she visits her sister Jane. It was considered extremely un-lady like and looked down upon to be seen waking great distances, as it was only the poorer members of society who walked anywhere; however this did not stop Elizabeth from walking the three miles to visit her sister. Elizabeth’s mother who’s only concern is how it will reflect on her and her family comments “how can you be so silly, as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.” Elizabeth allowing her strong will and contempt for the rules of society to show through replies “I shall be very fit to see Jane-which is all I want”. This is gives us an insight as to the character of Elizabeth, although visiting someone else’s home thinks nothing of walking, as the purpose of her visit is to see her sister and the thoughts and opinions of others does not concern her, a radical difference to the attitudes of many women of the day and a great insight into Elizabeth’s unique attitude toward marriage and all that it entails.
Her actions do nothing to endear herself or the rest of her family to the Bingley’s or Mr Darcy. Bingley comments “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum.” This illustrates the implications of what a simple stroll could mean for the potential Brides as the Bingleys do not want to be associated with a famly who has a daughter that walks as it was seen as something a lady should not do, as it implied the family had little money and low connections.
As one of the most important factors in marrying into the right family was the connections your family had, Elizabeth and her sisters were often looked down upon by others. A speech by Mrs Hurst regarding the chances of Jane being wed to Charles Bingley began “I have excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.” Despite these derogatory remarks Jane Austen portrays Elizabeth as having no regard for social standings as can be seen by her choice of language and manner in which she speaks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is incensed that Elizabeth and Darcy intend to be married and so comments “The upstart pretensions of a young woman without any family connections, or fortune. Is this to be endured?” In response to this statement Elizabeth replies in such a way that lady Catherine is not use to, again she demonstrates that she as no intentions of conforming to the ideas that respect and courtesy should be shown to those considered above you in social circles and replies “In marrying your Nephew I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere (referring to earlier comments made by lady Catherine). He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter: so far we are equal.”
We are given an insight as to the character of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her high regard for herself from a description given to Elizabeth by the charming Mr Collins when advising her on what to wear for her visit. He says “I would advise you merely you put on whatever your clothes is superior to the rest-there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.” In contrast to this warning we are given an insight as to the opinion of Elizabeth and how she perceives Lady Catherine. “She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation. This is perhaps one of the most revealing sentences in the book as it not only reveals the feelings of Elizabeth toward the society in which she lives, but in writing this sentence we are given an insight as to the feelings of the author Jane Austen as she uses Elizabeth as a form of social protest toward the society in which she lives.
