‘Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married.’ (chapter 1).
Another character that also represents the society’s perception towards marriage is Lydia and Kitty, two of the Bennet’s eldest daughters. The most visible on is Lydia, an empty headed girl with nothing in mind but chasing guys and marriage, being fifteen, her biggest ambition is to marry a rich man. Another character that represents the society conception of marriage is Charlotte Lucas. Being 27, and was denied of her rights to inherit her father’s fortune, she quickly jumps into a ‘marriage of convenience’ with Mr. Collins. One of her point of view of marriage is shown through this quote,
‘Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want’ (Chapter 22).
This thought was also shared by many women of Austen’s time, marriage is the only way to avoid poverty. The portrayal of their thoughts had shown how marriage was perceived-a medium of security for women. Mostly women marry to avoid complication in the future as at that time, women do not have the right to inherit the family fortune and there is no financial independence for women at that time. In addition to that, the portrayal of these characters also shows the gender in equality that happened at that period. They are denied their right for the family fortune, for instance what happened to Bennets and the Lucasses daughters.
‘To walk three miles. … It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum’(chapter 8)
This quotation shows how Ms. Caroline Bingley contempt of Elizabeth Bennet’s un-ladylike and in-elegant behaviours. This is one of the examples how Austen shows the point of view of how women should behave at that time. Through out the novel, Austen had given the picture on the attitude and the way of conduct of women. The society expects women to be gentle and polite. Women like Elizabeth are considered rebellious and may not be able to marry a good man.
The point of view of men about women’s purpose of marriage was also shown in this novel, especially in the characteristic of Mr. Collins,
‘Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications’(chapter 19)
In here, Mr. Collins had given unpleasant remarks towards Elizabeth, highlighting her unattractiveness in financial terms despite her physical beauty. This shows how men look at women and marriage at that time and their point of views are almost the same of the women’s. Therefore, it is clear to see that Austen had succeeded in showing the general perception of the society on women and marriage through the use of microcosm.
Other than that, the relationship between the characters in the novel had also depicted the microcosm of the society. This is because the relationship mainly shows the relationship between the social classes in the society. One such example is the relationship between Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley, their relationship received many objections especially from the Bingley sisters and his best friend, Darcy because of the unwritten rules on who should marry who. The Bingleys, being a high class family looked down on the Bennets because the Bennets fortune are not inherited but from trade. During that time, people who inherit fortunes were perceived as ‘higher’ that those who obtained it from trade. The Bingley sisters and Darcy think that Jane will not be a good wife for Charles for this reason. As shown by this quote,
‘Jane had been deprived , by the folly and indecorum of her family’ (chapter 37)
The relationship between Jane’s sister, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy also faced opposition form Lady Catherine De Bourgh for the same reason. From these relationships and their problems, it is clear to see how the society those days looked at class distinction. For them, social class and status are very important and one should look for a partner that is ‘on-par’ with him/her.
Austen had also showed that people from the upper crust of the society tend to look down on people from the lower class and think that they are better and people from the lower class are not good enough for them. And the same time, Austen had also included a different type of relationship in this novel, the relationship between employer and employee, as visibly shown by the relationship between Lady Catherine De Brough and Mr Collins. Their relationship shows the loyalty between the workers and their boss. Mr. Collins is all praise for Lady Catherine and her daughter,
‘She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says that in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments, which she could not otherwise have failed of; as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.’ (chapter 14)
This shows how the middle and low class people perceive the high society as noble and superior. They show loyalty as many worked for the people of the upper crust. From here, the relationship between the social classes at that time is defined. The society has their different ways of perceiving each other and their perceptions are mainly based on one’s social status and class.
In the other hand, the relationship between Mr. Bennet and his daughters is also a type of microcosm, the portrayal of this relationship had actually showed the leadership crisis in the society. Mr. Bennet is obviously unable to control his daughters, especially Lydia. And in some ways, the neglect destroyed her.
‘She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came her way.’(chapter 47).
In the whole, Pride and Prejudice depicts a leadership crisis in the Bennet family as the microcosm of what happened in the community. Mr. Bennet has no stomach for disciplining his children. He is not seriously engaged in their lives except when Lydia's flight jeopardizes the family. Then he reluctantly assumes his paternal duties and makes for London to reclaim his daughter, only to return in failure. This scenario clearly shows how fathers those days seem to neglect the care of their children, leaving the responsibility to the mothers or worst, the governess. This shows the lack of paternal involvement and care in families during that era.
Lastly, Austen had shown the microcosm of her society through the use of polite, subtle language. This is because she wants to show the etiquette and formality used in that era. For example, Mrs Bennet addresses her husband as ‘Mr. Bennet’ (chapter 1 ), so are her daughters. This clearly shows a sense of formality in the family. This is actually typical of that era. She also uses satires and irony to criticise the society, as shown in the opening of the novel,
‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife’.
Her uses of these terms had showed that the novel is a microcosm of the society at that time and had given a comical approach on the subjects discussed in the novel.
In conclusion, Pride and Prejudice is a microcosm of the society in many ways. It shows the life of the society in that period of time through the events, character, the relationship and also the language used. In all, Austen had succeeded in depicting the society at that time, giving a better picture of life during her time. This novel can also be considered as a criticism of her society as shown through the use of satire and ironies. In the other hand the novel itself could not be considered as the microcosm of the whole society as the story only focuses on the life of the middle to upper class society of Merryton, the main setting of the novel.
