Female Representation in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Abstract

Women in the nineteenth century did not have much choice regarding their future. Abiding by the laws of primogeniture, women could not inherit property and had to depend on marriage for sustenance. Thus, they could either get married or become a governess in a rich aristocratic household, provided, they were educated enough. Austen's plots often explored this dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security and the novel, Pride and Prejudice is no different.

In this term paper, I would like to explore the intricacies of female representation in the novel.

Introduction

During the Regency Period, it was harder to be a woman, especially a woman writer. The contempt for women writers that Austen faced throughout her career is clearly visible in her biography, A Memoir whose author James Edward Austen-Leigh, Austen's nephew, expresses his concern about his aunt's writing, worried “that his aunt’s letters will be seen as being too gossipy and discursive”. Many critics have further criticized the works of Austen as they focused only on the women-centric domestic world and not on the so-called ‘serious’ issues of the socio-political scenario of the time as done by her contemporary, Walter Scott. However, 21st-century readers may consider it to be a misinterpretation because being a woman writer, Austen portrayed the world that she witnessed and was not hypocritical in choosing a subject matter for her novels. It is through her novels that we get a vivid description of the English countryside and an implied glimpse of the power politics within English aristocratic households.

In Austen's time, women thought that they could do nothing but what was expected from them. Marriages were arranged, mostly within the same social class. Many women got married so that society would not look down upon them. They could become governesses; yet, that “was a position beneath the social rank and status of middle- and upper-class young women and was thus regarded as humiliating” as analyzed by Barbara Swords. Moreover, women could not inherit property. Once married, they lost control over both their possessions and their fate and became their husbands' property. Women were thus not independent, and independence was associated with maleness. Similarly, a woman whose parents did not possess a large fortune had a very narrow chance of finding a husband. When it came to their education, women were either taught at home or in girls’ schools, and “These studies were thought to be sufficient to provide a girl with the accomplishments necessary to attract a suitable husband”, as iterated by Swords. In their everyday life, women, especially those of higher class, attended and organized dinner parties, but even there women had to comply with rules such as: “The ladies sit a quarter of an hour longer, during which time sweet wines are sometimes served, then rise from the table. . . Every man is, however, at liberty to follow the ladies as soon as he likes”, as described by Kristen Hughes. It is quite obvious that the same rules did not apply to both men and women. Young unmarried women were introduced to society during country balls and assemblies. It was an excellent opportunity for them to meet men and find a perfect match but even when it came to happenings of this kind, there were rules of conduct for young women as observed by Hughes. Accordingly, there were many constraints on women’s freedom and way of living in Regency England, so it is no wonder that many writers of the time decided to explore these issues in their work while depicting women’s life.

The novel, Pride and Prejudice deals with the life of the Bennet family focusing on the life of Elizabeth, the main protagonist of the story who is the second of five daughters. Since Mr. Bennet does not have a male heir, all of his property would be bestowed upon Mr. Collins, a distant cousin of Elizabeth’s, after his death leaving behind all of his five daughters homeless. It is for this particular reason that Mrs. Bennet devotes her entire life in search of a suitable husband for her daughters, made clear when the narrator says, “The business of her life was to get her daughters married”. Mrs. Bennet is a loving and selfless mother and all she had ever wished in her life was the well-being of her daughters. She is characterized as an illiterate woman with a “mean understanding”, “little information”, “uncertain temper”, who has a loudmouth and who is made fun of even by her husband. The irony lies in the fact that a woman who had always abided by social norms fails to get minimum respect from her companion. However, her love for her daughters is overshadowed at times by her ambition concerning them. Such an instance happens when she makes her daughter travel on a horseback instead of a carriage when going to meet Mr. Bingley at Netherfield hoping that it would rain. When Jane gets sick, Mrs. Bennet is not too worried. On the contrary, “she is very happy and satisfied because of this opportunity that her daughter is having to be there for more time and to be closer to Mr. Bingley”, as analyzed by Florentino Oliviera. Mrs. Bennet is a person who states her opinion even when it is inappropriate. For example, in a room full of people Mrs. Bennet tells Lady Lucas unabashedly about her expectation that Jane would be soon married to Mr. Bingley. She is very naïve to think that her behavior would not alter the destiny of her daughters. Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, and his sisters state, “with such a father and mother, and such low connections; the Bennet daughters have no chance of marrying rich”. Thereupon, it is evident how much social connections and a family’s reputation determine a woman’s life and her future, a future which can be only secured through marriage.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet is described as having “a lively, playful disposition which delighted in anything ridiculous”. Because of her intelligence and observations, she is one of the most famous literary characters of all time. Elizabeth transcends her family members in her manners and understanding of life. Moreover, she states her opinion directly and has a sharp tongue, which often shocks those who believe that ladies should not be allowed such freedom. During her conversation with Lady Catherine, who is a very powerful woman, she answers a lot of questions but with some reservation and asserts her opinion on various social norms. When Lady Catherine finds out that the five daughters have been brought up without a governess, she is shocked because it is unimaginable that young women have not been taught necessary skills such as drawing and playing an instrument. Elizabeth however rebels against this notion by saying that reading is what feeds the mind and other skills that women are forced to learn are unnecessary. Elizabeth can be considered a truly modern woman when she speaks about her thoughts on marriage. She understands the true purpose of marriage, something that neither her mother nor her sisters do. In a society where girls are taught to never reject propositions, Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins and justified her decision by saying, a loss of her personality in the name of security is worse than being a penniless spinster. Elizabeth is not a woman whom someone could easily scare, and she fights for what she wants and believes in – and that is Mr. Darcy and her love for him. Again, Elizabeth proves to be an intelligent and independent woman who does not care about the opinion of others; she does what she thinks to be the best for her. Her lively responses are interpreted by critics as a psychological defense against her emotional vulnerability as a single woman and the economic disadvantage of a middle-class dependent woman. However, Elizabeth’s judgments are sometimes irrational and blinded by her ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’ but, when this is the case, she is willing to admit that she is wrong. When she realizes that Wickham had deceived her and had lied to her about Mr. Darcy’s character, she grows “absolutely ashamed of herself”.

Jane Bennet is the eldest daughter of the family. She is the prettiest girl in the county; even Mr. Bingley states that. She is kindhearted and always thinks the best of people, which makes her naïve on certain occasions. When she is betrayed by Mr. Bingley, Jane is broken, but she does not despair. She seems to believe in the Augustan concept of love. Jane’s views of marriage are similar to Elizabeth’s.

Charlotte Lucas is worth mentioning because she represents traditional women who are not interested in marrying out of love. She accepts Mr. Collins' proposal “without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony”. In the end, she pays the price for her choice as she becomes the same shallow person as he is. Accordingly, Austen's novel makes it clear that, according to the social standards of the time, dependent women have no chance of living a fulfilled life.

Lydia and Kitty are the youngest sisters in the Bennet family. They are not so intelligent; they behave like stereotypical teenagers and their lives revolve around balls and the military. Lydia takes a drastic step by running away with Mr. Wickham and thus endangers the position of her entire family. Their reckless behavior shows how social norms regarding marriage make young women do foolish things and enter a marriage that they one day will certainly regret.

Conclusion

The characters of Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Kitty, and Charlotte Lucas have been characterized in the entire novel ironically. These characters behave according to the prevailing conventions and end up having a melancholy life full of un-satisfaction. It is only Elizabeth and Jane who rebel and end up marrying the ones they love and eventually get happiness in their respective lives. This novel can thus be read as a cautionary tale and a tale that provides hope to all the women who dare rebel against society.