The Social Restrictions of Women in Jane Austens Book - Literature review Example

September JANE AUSTEN’S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE I. INTRODUCTION Women were imposed with inferiorities as compared to men during the 19th Century. The nurturing trait of women was the only prized accomplishment they can boast of. “This nurturing role is two-fold. It included the whole area on economic production and industry, as they worked side by side with men by shouldering the entire burden revolving around the family and the home” (Bell 2). It was during this era when the essence of a woman revolved on bearing and rearing children. History will tell us that women then were deprived of basic rights. To illustrate such vision, women were denied of formal education and prohibited to exercise the right to suffrage. They stood behind the shadows of great men who ruled society during that time. Branded as man’s attendant and helper, women were treated as second-rate citizens. Thus, women of the 19th century were nominated with only two roles to portray, either submissive companions of their husbands or industrious housewives and caring mothers to their children. These are the only cherished triumphs of the women who lived in that period. In 1972, British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft authored a book entitled  “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects.” She was one of the first highly acclaimed authors on feminist philosophy. “In this book, she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but only appear to be for lack of education. She suggests that men and women should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded on reason” (Wollstonecraft). She emphasized the importance of women in society because they bear children, rear and educate them to become good citizens of society. “Women should not only be regarded as objects that are to be traded in marriage, but must be accorded the same fundamental rights as men because men and women are co-equals. Wollstonecraft insisted that all political authority should rest on the grounds of reason and justice alone, she demanded that every person be entitled to enjoy and dispense the fruits of his and her own labors, that inequality of rank be eliminated” (Mellor 32). The social restrictions of women in the 18th Century became one of main subjects illustrated in Jane Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice, wherein the character of Elizabeth Bennet, was shown as an example of how a woman can survive the challenges of a male-conquered society through her distinct brilliance, charm and intelligence. II. DISCUSSION The protagonist in Austen’s novel is Elizabeth Bennet. She is often described as an intelligent young, witty woman and, playful, though exhibiting sheer impertinence did not make her distasteful to others. Her family’s financial condition forced her to seek out a marriage for convenience. She remained the ideal woman of her time as she expressed her intention to marry for love. She was branded as one of Austen’s beloved heroines of all time. In the novel, Elizabeth was forced to conform to the prevalent social restrictions in place, which included a marriage for convenience. Elizabeth is then met the high and mighty, Mr. Darcy, who was enamoured by her simplicity and wit. However, society dictates that Mr. Darcy should marry a woman of aristocracy, beyond Elizabeth’s social class. This circumstance wounded her pride, and thus caused her to foster prejudices against Mr. Darcy. “Austen is regarded as an affirmative novelist. Positive values of good sense, kindness candor and restraint of egotistical impulses are exhibited by the characters in her novel. Morality is dominant in her written works, and does not consist in swallowing whole the values which society offers her, and her moral affirmations are always qualified by important critical or ironic reservations” (Nardin 3). This was exactly the purpose of Elizabeth’s character, unconventional and unafraid of the limitations imposed by society. She was envisioned as full of pride and her truthful perception of evaluating the social conduct and intention of other people in the story. “The moral affirmation of Austen is evident in this novel. The first half of the novel follows the development of Elizabeth’s prejudiced view of Darcy’s character. Then she receives a clear proof that she made a mistake about him and realizes that she has been blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd” (Nardin 3). “This was essential in Austen’s type of affirmation in her novel: prejudice is bad, candor is good, but judgment in a complex world will always be mostly a matter of groping in the dark” (Nardin 3). III. SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS IN THE NOVEL The character of Elizabeth presented her as a woman who was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her family had few connections so a woman of her stature faced stern social restrictions because of her family background. These were the stringent norms compulsory of women from the 19th century. They were supposed to practice good etiquette, dress in luxury and opulence, master literature, and multiple languages and learn how to play musical instruments in order to deserve a place in society. 1. The Influence of Wealth on Marriage Many women in the 19th century, even if they were born into upper class, were not born wealthy. It was during this age and time when civilization set strict social distinctions. Women from rich families are highly regarded in society, while poor women are ostracized. Some wealthy women think that the most important thing in the world is love, but for the destitute women, money rules the world. A woman from the 19th century is more concerned about finding a wealthy man who will ask her hand in marriage to keep her social status. Women then gave more importance to a man’s wealth and how to enjoy a lavish lifestyle, because they do not work and earn their own money. Majority of the female population, rich women, but mostly the underprivileged ones, were concerned about finding a man with wealth, property, and inheritance. “Much of the book- A Vindication by Wollstonecraft is devoted to illustrating the damage wrought by this gender definition of women’s nature and social roles as essentially sexual. In the late 18th Century, the women from the middle and upper class were taught to be primarily concerned with arousing and sustaining (but never fully satisfying male sexual desire in order to capture the husbands upon whom their financial welfare depended. They were obsessed with their personal appearance, with beauty and fashion. Encouraged to be delicate and refined, many were what we would recognize as bulimic and anorexic” (Mellor, 36). Another vital aspect to highlight is the fact that women who do not get married were also highly detested by society. Wealth and fortune ruled the women’s worlds during that period. It will determine quality of the food they eat, the wardrobe they will wear and how many servants will serve them. It shall dictate the kind of lifestyle a woman wants to attain in order to become accepted by society. In Austen’s novel, the Bennett’s impoverished situation pushed their daughters to marry wealthy men for financial security. This became their saving grace, or ticket to upgrade social status. The only problem is that flush bachelors were reluctant to marry the underprivileged women, unless they were considered attractive. Though Elizabeth Bennet may be considered as an attractive woman, she was still deemed inferior to Mr. Darcy because he was moneyed and possessed an eminent name to his credit. Although her relatives made a fortune in the trade industry, Elizabeth’s family was not as privileged, and thus, belittled by the upper class. 2. Inequality of Man and Woman In the late 18th century, man and woman are not considered equal. Women are submissive to men and were denied of fundamental rights. A woman is deprived of education. Once she gets married, the only place of a woman in the home is the kitchen, doing household chores and taking care of her children. A woman is expected to obey her husband. “As Wollstonecraft concluded, we shall not see a woman affectionate till more equality be established in society, till ranks are confounded and women freed, neither shall we see that dignified domestic happiness, the simple grandeur of which cannot be relished by ignorant or vitiated minds; nor will the important task of education ever be properly begun till the person of a woman is no longer preferred to her mind” (Mellor 38). In the novel, Elizabeth defied this misconception about women. Her impeccable charm, flawless wit and pleasing etiquette found her way inside the heart of the rich, arrogant and overly confident Mr. Darcy. She also exuded independence and power, unlike most of the women of her time. Her perfect intelligence outwitted Darcy and left him defenceless because she eventually conquered his heart. 3. Woman’s Reputation A woman’s reputation is another social restriction. For women, marriage is a requirement in order to keep up their reputation. They didnt stay single for a long time or wait until they were too old to marry. During that time, people would think there was something wrong with a woman if she did not get married. According to Nardin, ”reputation is also important for man and woman alike, who are both expected to behave well in order to preserve the good name of their families”(8). 4. Competing Women in Search for a Wealthy Husband Social class of the 19th century was dictated by the clothes worn by the people, good manners, proper behavior, etiquette, thorough knowledge on literature, drawing, modern languages and familiarity with musical instruments. To gain the approval of the upper class, women must hold numerous talents, from music, literature and sewing. “Since they received no rational education, but were taught only what were known as “accomplishments” like singing, dancing, needlework, painting, a smattering of French and Italian, a taste compatibility, mutual affection and respect” (Mellor 37-38). Women regarded each other as rivals in a competition while in search for a rich husband. In the novel, the character of Caroline Bingley was presented as one who detested all single women of her stature because she perceived them as opponents in her endeavor to conquer the heart and wealth of Mr. Darcy. The prevailing code of conduct then was centered on the women’s social standing. In effect, “Wollstonecraft commented that worse, women were encouraged to be fundamentally hypocritical and insincere. They were forced to be flirts and social teases, encouraged to arouse male sexual desire by allowing their suitors to take innocent freedoms or liberties with their person, but were forbidden to experience or manifest sexual desires themselves, a situation that left them blushing in unconscious, yet necessarily conscious modesty” (Mellor 36). Whenever Elizabeth enters her appearance, “Caroline views her as a threat because she Elizabeth did not conform to any of these social rules that women her generation followed. She defied all social norms, yet she exuded elegance and class in her own right. Her unique wit and intelligence made her prominent among the sea of women” (Nardin 8). She was not afraid to speak her mind and express her opinions. For her, women should not be adherent to social dictates because the women’s efforts to attain social perfection are worthless. To Elizabeth, there are more important concerns in life than finding a wealthy man who can provide the financial security and maintain social stability. Jane Austens Pride & Prejudice presented the difficulties and the social limitations of women in the 19th century who sought to rise from “wrong misconception of marriage of convenience to give women a lifetime of economic opportunities, wealth and power. She created the character of Elizabeth to represent that women’s intelligence must become their strong social force to come to terms with restrictions imposed by the male-dominated society. Elizabeth’s inherent brilliance and through the spiritual guidance of her father’s education, she emerged with her fine upbringing and disposition in life” (Nardin 8). Mr. Darcy was attracted not only by her physical beauty, but also by her rational and analytical mind. IV. CONCLUSION: In a world of social anxieties, the novel Pride and Prejudice can be seen as a realization for every woman to become independent and come-out of her shell. She cannot just depend on a man for survival. “Wollstonecraft’s liberal feminism creates a moral vision that diverges profoundly from ideology both of the British Enlightenment and of the Girondist leaders of the French Revolution in its insistence on the rationality and equality of the female an on the primary importance of the domestic affections and the family. Wollstonecraft’s image of egalitarian family as the prototype of genuine democracy, wherein the husband and the wife regard each other as equals in intelligence, sensitivity and power, but also participate equally in childcare and decision-making” (Mellor 38). References: Abrams, Meyer Howard. Natural Supernaturalism: Tradition and Revolution in Romantic Literature. New York: W.W. Norton, 1973. Print. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Dent: Harvard University, 1906. Print. Bell, Susan G.Women: From the Greeks to The French Revolution. Standford California: Stanford Press. 1973. Print. Howells, William Dean. Heroines of Fiction, Volume 1. Harper and Brothers, 1901. Print. Mellor, Anne Kostelanetz. Romanticism and Gender. London: Routledge, 1993. Print. McCalman, Iain. An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print. McGann, Jerome. The Romantic Ideology: a Critical Investigation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983. Print. Nardin, Jane. Those Elegant Decorums. The Concept of Propriety in Jane Austen’s Novels. Albany: State of New York, 1973, Print. Pinkney, Tony, et al. Romanticism, Theory, Gender. Keele: Ryburn Publishing, 1995. Print. Sage, Lorna, et. al. The Cambridge Guide to Womens Writing in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. Print. Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of a Woman with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects. Boston: Peter Edes for Thomas and Andrews, 1792. Print. Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of a Woman with Strictures on Political And Moral Subjects. Retrieved on April 16, 2011, from Read More