Jane Austen Sexism

Jane Austen is widely considered to be one of the best female authors, not only of her time, but in history. Literary critics often view her work as feminist in nature , and make note of her use of irony and juxtaposition to convey feminist ideas. More than just an author, Austen is seen as a revolutionist, and is credited with bringing about a shift in literature, gaining female authors more attention and respect. Three notable examples of her work, which showcase her feminist ideologies are Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park.

Austen herself was an upper-middle class woman, conforming to the gender roles of the day. Experiencing both upper and lower class Britain , Austen had a point of view unavailable to most authors of her

time. Living in late 18th century Britain, Austen would have been surrounded by revolution and change. The effects of the American Revolution were still very much felt across the world, and Britain was at war once again, fighting two wars against the United States and France. Apart from physical conflict, Britain was also involved in a losing battle to maintain its past traditions and gender roles. There is no doubt that these revolutions and changes would have inspired Austen in her writings. Apart from her influences, Austen was in a precarious situation. Should she be overt in her writings, society would reject her as a trouble maker, yet if she were too subtle, her critiques would not be understood by the readers. Austen is able to balance the scales by using absolute terms and exaggerated descriptions in her writing, which together, give the allusion that she believes in the ideas presented, but also allows the reader to see her criticism of the ideas as well.

In Pride and Prejudice, Austen shows a conflict between a young independent woman, and the society that demands her conformity and compliance with their expectations. The story follows a young woman, Elizabeth Bennet, and her family’s attempts to marry off each of their three daughters. Conflict arises when both men and women are deemed inadequate for marriage, and social norms are broken by many of the characters. Although the book is interpreted as criticizing gender roles and expectations, these ideas are never discussed directly, nor are they ever made completely clear. Rather than direct confrontation, Austen makes use of irony and clever descriptions of various situations and events to make her opinions known, and conveys her own disdain for the gender roles. From the very first line in the book, irony is at the forefront of Austen’s story. “IT IS A TRUTH universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” The undoubting, unarguable fact presented by Austen makes the idea of all wealthy men wanting wives seem all the more ridiculous. By writing as if the idea were true, Austen ridicules those who believe it, with the reader knowing that nothing of the sort can be considered an absolute truth. Interestingly enough, the first example of social sexism and objectification is not that against women, but the idea that a man must marry. The Bennet family believes that a man in such a situation “is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters” , “however little [is] known [of] the feelings or views of such a man” . From this passage on, it is clear that parents and other older members of society view the young and unmarried as something they can control, and something which they must make use of to further their cause. Austen shows this with her statement that it does not matter how the man may feel about marriage, or what his views are on the woman he is meant to marry; a man is simply meant to marry an acceptable woman and further his family. Although the characters’ opinions seem clear, Austen uses the confusion of Mr. Bennet to question why the standards are upheld. After his wife has declared that the new man shall be “a fine thing for … [their] girls” , Mr. Bennet replies, “How so? How can it affect them?”. Although Mr. Bennet seems for a moment to be less set on the idea of marrying off his daughters, Mrs. Bennet believes that he “must know that … [she is] thinking of his marrying one of them.” The way in which Mrs. Bennet simply expects her daughters to marry this man shows a systematic and societal disregard for choice and women’s rights. Even more startling is the fact that Mrs. Bennet considers the prospect of marriage so obvious that her husband must know what she is planning. Austen clearly acknowledges how widespread the ideas are, which still making it clear that they are to be questioned, as Mr. Bennet did. Mr. Bennet, soon after acting as a critique on expectations, becomes a foil for the power held by his wife. When the idea of visiting wealthy, single men is broached, Mr. Bennet declares that the ladies “will not visit them” . The women in the Bennet family, and society as a whole are literally powerless to make their own choices or attempt to make their own matches since this must be done by their husband or father. Pointing out the hypocrisy in society, where at one moment, a man is against the idea of forcing his daughters into marriage, then in the next forbids them from doing as they please, Austen once again uses Mr. Bennet as a criticism of society. Apart from the clear sexism in the institution of marriage, objectification and the standards expected of women are thoroughly attacked by Austen. Early on in the novel, Mr. and Ms. Bingley lead a discussion on what makes a woman truly accomplished. The standards placed on women, even by a woman like Ms. Bingley are overwhelming, and show clear sexism. Agreeing with the men in the room, Ms. Bingley explains what would make a woman in their society accomplished, and respectable.
"Oh!

certainly," … "no woman can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met 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 possess 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."
Going even further with the idea of female accomplishment, Mr. Darcy believes that a woman “must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.” So much is demanded on women in this society, that she must not only be a student of the arts, be well read and intelligent, but must also behave in a certain way, so specifically set out that she can be judged by her facial expressions. To refute these standards, Elizabeth Bennet states that she ”never saw such a woman, … never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as … describe[d], united.” The fact that even a woman will admit that by this standard she is not accomplished, shows how high the standards are in this society. Elizabeth herself is accused of sexism moments later, when the ladies suggest that she puts down other women to make herself look better. Austen makes use of the women in the room, who although are acting in a sexist matter, honestly believe they are right. These women seem to have been conditioned to believe exactly what the men have said. Expectations and gender roles are later shown by the character of Lady Catherine. When visited by the Bennets, the lady pushes into Charlotte’s life, and tries to dictate how the younger woman ought to run her household.
When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted. She inquired into Charlotte's domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady's attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others.
This quote actually shows a mix between empowerment and sexism.

Lady Catherine, being in such a high position, speaks of things which most ladies of her station would know nothing of. In that way, Lady Catherine symbolizes the furthering of women, and the knowledge they can acquire. In contrast to her progressiveness, the need of Lady Catherine to tell Charlotte how to live is representative of gender roles and characteristics expected of women. The irony is evident in the fact that Lady Catherine, having presumably never tended to livestock herself, instructs Charlotte on how to do so. Austen seems to have been using Lady Catherine to depict the struggle between progressive women, and the ideas that society pushes onto them. Lady Catherine serves not only to illustrate this point, but later is representative of society that forces itself upon women. Upon visiting the Bennets, the Lady angrily says to Elizabeth, “Miss Bennet I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require.” Not only does Lady Catherine have severe expectations of Elizabeth, but she literally refuses to leave until Elizabeth acts as the woman Lady Catherine wants her to be. Austen uses Lady Catherine to depict a society which will not be pleased until a woman acts properly and in a way which pleases them. Overall, Austen’s use of irony, and the

wording of her descriptions provides a solid base from which she attacks sexism and gender roles, without doing so overtly, which surely would have had repercussions. Austen’s descriptions throughout the novel are often exaggerated, and her use of absolute terms allow the reader to see how ridiculous the social standards and gender roles are.
In another of Austen’s novels, Emma, the author continues to use her exaggerated descriptions and absolute terms in an attempt to critique social standards and sexist ideologies. Emma follows the story of a young woman Emma Woodhouse, who, in her mind, knows best about marriage. The young lady seems to believe she can make choices about not only herself, but can also decide who is meant to be married to each other. Emma’s thinking is immediately seen as a metaphor for society. Society believes it had a right to decide whom should marry whom, and without even the opinions of the bride and groom. In her novel, Austen also makes use of perceived gender roles and discussions from the characters concerning them.