Analysis of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Analysis of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Pride and prejudice is a novel set in the late 17th Century and was

written by author Jane Austen. The novel is based upon the theme of

marriage and social settings of the 17th century. The novel is set in

an era where women where 2nd class citizens and were inferior to men.

This is ever so prevalent in the novel. In the time of which the novel

is set women were not meant to meddle in men’s affairs theses included

involving in politics, participating in financial affairs this

disabled the women to be independent.

This did not allow women to play a greater role in society, in fact

women were supposed to “bore birth and bring up and look after the

children”. This was there only role society which was dominated my

men.

A women’s objective in life would’ve been to look for a wealthy

husband who may not have necessarily have loved her. This would enable

the women to have a secure future. The first line of Pride and

Prujudice sums this up

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession

of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”

The problems which arise in “Pride and Prejudice” are that Mr Bennet

has five daughters and no sons. This may be the reason why Mrs Bennet

is obsessed with getting her daughters married.

“A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year.

What a fine thing for our girls!”

Mrs Bennet always mentions the amount the possible candidate earns a

year this shows that the financial aspect is vitally important as it

ensures there daughters future security. Because Mr Bennet has only

daughters there will be inheritance given to the daughters as there

are not male but will be give to the closest relat...

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Lastly both of the men are shocked to realize that Elizabeth rejects

their proposals.

The Character Elizabeth is a strong, free thinking women in the novel,

and does not believe in the traditional ways of doing things. She

believes that a person should marry for love, which was recognized at

the time at which the novel is set.

I think the Jane Austen’s opinions are portrayed in her characters as

a means of displaying that traditions some times are wrong. Elizabeth

has characteristics of feminism. This shows that Jane Austen was ahead

of her time, because she believed that women could be free thinking

and independent and still live a good life. This is portrayed in her

characters as Elizabeth eventually is loved by Darcy for who she is

even though Darcy recognizes the fact that Lady Catherine De Bourgh

will take it upon insult him Marrying her.