The Gentry Class In Pride And Prejudice

I.Introduction

The classic novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, originally published in January 1813, takes place during the Napoleonic Wars in Longbourn, England. Austen wrote her novels during the time period known as the Regency. The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, a time where ideas like democracy, secularism, and the rise of developing sciences were making their way across Europe had come to an end. It was replaced with the wave of horror that was the French Revolution, a once minor revolt that escalated into a violent war, concluding with the rise of Napoleon, with whom England fought against the majority of Austen’s Life. During her lifetime, the Prince Regent, later known as George IV, was the leader of English society

This is because these characters are a part of the Gentry Class. Her characters are landlords, and to keep their status, they rent out their land, or, for women, marry men with land. In Pride and Prejudice, the Gentry Class ranges from the Bennets, who hardly have their matters together, to Mr. Darcy, who has everything all taken care of. But Elizabeth sees her family and Mr. Darcy as the same. However to the Bingley sisters and Lady de Bourgh, they might as well be on different planets. The focus on finances is not the only thing all of the characters

Many people enjoy reading her novels and find confirmation of their own ideologies and morals. The reader wants to find that Jane Austen believes in the same values as they do. However, sometimes the moral of the novel is not always clear. Literature can be interpreted in numerous ways and all be considered a correct interpretation. One interpretation of the ending of Pride and Prejudice is that preserving the status quo is best. In this way, everyone is married, everyone is established and happy and there are no uncertainties. Another interpretation is seeing the society of Pride and Prejudice as a progressive one. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are very much upper class, whereas the Bennets are middle class. Despite this barrier the girls are still able to marry them. Also Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth all reject their “appropriate” future spouses based on socio-economic equality and instead place their faith in someone they actually love. Or one could argue that the ending is anything but progressive. Despite what appears to be a happy marriage, it may not be entirely possible to accommodate Elizabeth 's individuality and self-determination with Mr. Darcy 's acquiescence. Nevertheless, the novel works towards an analytical balance and variation in the fundamental aspects of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and other characters that will lead to a compromise of the elements they