Feminist theme in Pride and Prejudice - Research Paper Example

Feminist theme in Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice is one of the most reputable and recognized pieces of English literature. In this story Jane Austen has tried to reflect her views about feminism, which essentially includes the problems faces by the women of that time’s society, how prominent was the gender discrimination among people and fulfillment of principle that advocates equal rights for women. This is theme is prevalent throughout the novel as Austen has portrayed the image of a perfect lady, Elizabeth Bennet, who is the central character of novel. Jane Austen has reflected, in her novel, her views about, perhaps the British society of the 19th century. Her views, opinions and characters present her own believes about feminism. This essay attempts to discuss the feminist theme and the feminist criticism approach to Jane Austen’s esteemed novel Pride and Prejudice. In order to evaluate the feminist criticism approach in the novel, it is important to understand how we define “feminism”. The word feminism is relative to both the history and society in which we live. Therefore the ways in which we interpret the meaning of plot and what lies underneath it that causes us to believe in feminist approach are affected by our definition of feminism, both historically and in the present time. The reaction of people of 19th century might be completely different from the contemporary people. How they understand the concepts of feminist society and how it will be taken by the future generations are all mutually dependent (Looser, 10). Therefore we will also try to analyze the women’s role in the early 19th century England, when the novel was first published in 1813. Jane Austen’s feminist views and opinions become evident even from the first line of the novel where she writes, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering the neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered as the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters” (Austen, pp. 5). This shows that Austen is concerned about the superiority of male gender in her English society. Man’s need for a wife, and women’s dependence on marriage to be protected by her men; women not being able to turn down the relationships they have been asked for; man’s freedom for selecting the girl she wants to bond with and love; and woman’s desperation to earn the affection of her man and fight for her are some of the manifestations of the gender discrimination and masculinely inclined society. This freedom of men and women’s dependent on them was not something attracting criticism in that society. It was a widely accepted custom. So if Austen wanted to portray just the ideals of English society, these sentiments of feminism wouldn’t have appeared again and again in the novel. The woman in Pride and Prejudice should achieve a certain degree of respect, dignity and honor to be seen as a successful woman worthy of her man; and the woman who is able to achieve this in the society could be considered a perfect lady. In order to understand this feminist approach adopted by Austen let us compare the early 19th century society of England with ours now. It might be a little bit difficult for a contemporary reader to understand the concepts presented and difficulties faced by the Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters in getting their desired marriage. The modern woman of today has many options open to her to choose for her future. They can get educated in a good college or university and earn their own livelihood independent of any man or their husband. This was not possible in the time of Austen. In 19th century England, the women were not allowed in the higher education, although the middle and upper class could send their daughters to school. Even their educations mostly consisted of ways of becoming perfect lady and accomplish themselves in their lives, rather than the mainstream academic subjects. Elizabeth Bennet was curious young lady who inquired about everything and got educated further by reading. This is observed when Elizabeth described her standpoint of education to the Lady Catherine when she said, "such of us as wished to learn, never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle certainly might." (2). The society depicted in Pride and Prejudice consisted of weak women who were looking to get married so that their family and relatives won’t have to bear the expenses of their livelihood. The job opportunities were extremely limited for women, which didn’t attract their attention towards education and other activities. Elizabeth was living with her father as an unmarried young lady. She had no brother, therefore she was concerned about the fact how would she continue once her father dies. She’ll only have to rely on the support of charity by her relatives. In that society the women’s future accomplishment may even be jeopardized by her living alone away from the relatives. For that task suitable chaperones were appointed to look after the single women without husbands. Hence, even when the Elizabeth and her daughters travelled, they try to stay on with some of their relatives or a respectful woman they know about. These are not the characteristics of our present society. Many of these traditions have been changed and equal rights for women are ensured wherever possible. Austen has also tried to explain how some actions can have negative consequences on a woman’s reputation when Lydia runs away and spends two weeks with Wickham who was not married to her. This action deteriorated her reputation and that of her family and the only way in which it can be restored is if Lydia married Wickham. The possibility of Lydia’s family disowning her for such an action is also put forward. So Darcy finds them, endorses their marriage to save the reputation of the entire Bennet family. These are some of the issues portrayed in Pride and Prejudice that are biased to reflect the Austen’s feminist beliefs. In the classic sense, the main character Elizabeth may not be a feminist but her thoughts and practices were distinctively opposite to what was considered acceptable practices of the society that time, as described above. In a society where, all other women were engaged in finding out man for their financial security, Elizabeth refused to settle for anything less than love. She was not even much worried about getting married for financial security. She conceives herself as equal to Mr. Darcy. She was also intelligent and portrayed as being able to perform all of the tasks of man without harming her social image. These are some of her characteristics that reflect the Austin’s belief. The concept of being “accomplished” is summarized, perhaps in the best way possible, in the novel by Miss Bingley, "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." (Austen, pp. 8.51) To this Darcy further added that, "All this she must possess, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading." (Austen, pp. 8.52) Darcy expressed her views as a feminist hero by telling them, “I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women.  I rather wonder now at your knowing any." (Austen, pp. 8.53) In another chapter; when Lydia bought a bonnet and showed it to her sisters, they abused it as being ugly. So Lydia told them, “Oh! But there were two or three much uglier in the shop; and when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the shires have left Meryton, and they are going in a fortnight." (39.3-4) Austen has perhaps communicated through Lydia what a woman should not be. She is not intelligent, and over obsessed with fashion, boys and spending money. Austen is trying to tell us that the girls should be taught the mainstream education as well besides being focused on getting married. Therefore, Austen has tried to present her feminist views in many ways, especially through the lead character Elizabeth. While all other girls in the story are focused on getting married as a means of support, Elizabeth is looking for love and compatibility. She even rejects Mr. Collins offer for marriage to her because she is sure they wouldn’t be able get along really well. Her mom also tries to convince her but she does not agree. This was very unusual for a girl in that society. To reject a man solely due to her intentions was never an accepted custom then. Austen, hence, suggests that the purpose of a woman’s life is more than just being a wife of her husband. By portraying Elizabeth as breaking the social norms and questioning what was never done before, Austen is perhaps expecting the same form us. Through Elizabeth’s thinking the author has tried to reflect the feminist ideals. This is done by contrasting Elizabeth’s feminist views with other character’s non-feminist views; sometimes with her mother, sometimes her simple younger sister and sometimes with other characters in the story. Certainly Elizabeth isn’t the only one in the story who represents feminism. There are other characters as well, like Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte seems like she shares Elizabeth’s views but ultimately she couldn’t handle the pressure of society like Elizabeth did. Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, also represent the feminist thoughts; but she is not as outspoken and courageous as Elizabeth. Thus it could be said that Austen may be looking for a cultural change in the anti-feminist views of her society at that time. To achieve this she even tried to depict various examples including breaking down the unwritten social norms when Lydia ran away with Wickham. She also showed how some actions could result in negative consequences than others. Austen has undoubtedly discussed various issues of women and promoted her feminist thoughts throughout the novel. We are told the story from a woman’s perception. This method of communication has enabled her to express her views and ideals easily. Feminism is prevalent as one of the main themes of the novel along with the good marriage. According to her, the first and foremost duty of any women is towards her family and her husband and that’s what she has shown. She has presented the perfect lady Elizabeth holding feminist views as a role model to be followed which requires no further discussion about the feminist criticism approach of the novel. Austen is also famous for this perceptive presentation of relationships. She has also shown almost all types of marriages in the Pride and Prejudice novel including that of: Charlotte & Mr. Collins, Mr. & Mrs. Bennet, Jane & Bingley, Lydia & Wickham, and finally the marriage of Elizabeth with Darcy. Relationship between sisters, between mother and daughter, niece and aunt, and friendships are also stressed in the story. In the end, when Elizabeth and Darcy are married Austen shows us that a wife can make her husband laugh and tease him. Darcy’s younger sister is amazed at this sight and ponders. So even as the final chapter closes, Austen leaves us with a subtle moral goodness and the art of feminism. Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. 5, 51-53. Print. Fanning, Sarah.Gendered Space and Feminist Ideology: "Pride and Prejudice" and Its Two BBC Adaptations. 2006. Print. Looser, Devoney. Jane Austen and Discourses of Feminism. 1995. Pp. 10. Print. Pemberley.com. "Pride and Prejudice -- Notes on Education, Marriage, Status of Women, etc.."Pemberley.com. N.p..Web. 26 Nov 2012. . Read More