Theme of Gender in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf - Research Paper Example

Task: Critical Essay on the Theme of Gender Described as the difference in the roles between the masculine and the feminine sexes, gender plays an invaluable component part in social interaction among people in every society. It also refers to the attributes that render distinct responsibilities to different sexes in a set up defining societal functioning. The interpretation of gender supersedes the mere difference between men and women on grounds of biological orientation and physical outlook. The constructions of such biological differences on social, historical and subject’s context form an excellent way of appreciating gender in the society. Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice explores the theme of gender among other themes displayed through the storyline. The book is an expose of injustices that surrounded gender and had a basis on gender-based violence and conflicts in the XIX century society. The theme of gender is mainly related to that of women and marriage that is explicit in the novel. The demeaning of the female gender is a sure way that the theme comes out in the novel. Austen depicts the gender theme in the book through appreciated criticality and keenness in bringing out the sad states in the face of gender matters in the society. Charlotte Lucas is among the female characters in the novel. Her life is a complete depiction of the grim faces and opposite directions of marriages. She is a foil of other characters as Elizabeth.Mr. Benett has little regard for women in society. She has little appreciation for the role played by her daughters and views them with little consideration. Charlotte rarely made efforts to get a husband whom she loves and appreciates. Her main source of interest in men emanates from the need and desire to exploit her partners financially. Her relationships with men include that with characters as Mr. Collins. Elizabeth remains doubtful of the happiness of Charlotte in life. The action by Charlotte in the novel reveals the theme of gender in marriages and women. Exploitation of men by women is evident in the novel; this forms a focus point in addressing gender as a theme in the novel. This shows the extent of little regard that one side of gender has for the other and the tendency to take advantage of the counterpart gender. Jane Bennet is a victim of betrayal by friends including Caroline Bingley. The two belong to the same sex. The instance of hurt of a friend of the same sex is a veritable tribulation involving gender violence. The essay depicts the manner in which people of similar gender offer little trust among themselves, in this case women. Caroline fails to trust humble, selfless Bennet. The trust and protection that Bennet offers to people, even of similar sex, despite Elizabeth’s claims over their faults, receives utmost disregard. A true picture of gender conflict comes out through such experiences, outlined in history. It is satirical from this point of view and Austen employs the satire to depict the extent to which women fail to play a leading role in eliminating such gender related conflicts in the society. Exploitation of women and the girl child in the society is evident in Austen’s novel. Instance as the entailment of the estate that belonged to the Benetts from the daughters is a clear demonstration of the society’s disregard for women and the girl child. The daughters remained vulnerable with little finances to support a living. This was a terrific injustice to the daughters. The situation dictated an undesirable lifestyle for the girls. Through her unveiling of such instances, Austen takes a stand that renders women as equal to men in the society. In this view, women are intelligent and of high capability as men in the society. The inferior status of women in the society, according to Austen, is a form of injustice and, therefore, unprincipled. Elizabeth leads a happy life of contentment throughout the novel. She is bold and intelligent, and with lucid wittiness. She can embrace high abilities of perception. She presents a character who does not derive happiness from mere impression wealth and money. Through Elizabeth, Austen brings out the picture of a strong woman in the society. Austen provides the image of what would make up a desirable character of women in the society: good-manners and concern for prosperity. Elizabeth does not give in to the desires of her mother. This depicts her strong will and utmost dedication to appreciating the value of women in society. Her independence in mind and the autonomy that she embraces enables her to choose marriage for love. The marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth turns admirable compared to that between Lydia and Wickham. Elizabeth, therefore, plays an influential role in the novel in developing the theme of gender (Austen 168). Other women characters as Charlotte are a total contrast from Elizabeth. Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway is a true picture of the helpless situation that women undergo in the society. The plight of women and courses of their tribulations are evident in the comprehensive novel done by Woolf. The novel is a true reflection of the plight of women. In the novel, Woolf reveals the problem of miscommunication among the characters. Clarissa is a reserved and lonely character, for instance. Her efforts to find out means of communication with others go futile. The loneliness of Clarissa in the novel consequently shapes her political and social life. The blind doctrine of politics is evident in the novel. This is a source of hindrance to development of women in society. There are, however, women in Woolf’s work that act as a representation of hope, Elizabeth, for example. Woolf also addresses feminism acts as a means of addressing the plight of women in the society in the novel. The novel advocates for women to be makers of their masterpieces through granting them autonomy and seclusion from the suppression by men. Alienation of women is evident through Richard’s deep involvement in politics more than he is to his wife (Woolf 221). In the story, the school depicts different roles played by different genders in the society. The matronly woman, for instance, manages the small store. This depicts the need of the society to embrace gender roles. Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Bentley, BIUC: RD Bentley, 1853. Print. Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. London, LD: Collector’s Library, 2004. Print. Read More