There is nothing quite like reading a novel that draws upon the slow growth of affection between two people while encountering the obstacles that fall in their way. Obstacles such as money, social class, reputation, and parental agreement were common barriers in Victorian-day marriage. These problems can be identified in Jane Austen’s six literary works: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Emma, and Mansfield Park. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy encounter obstacles of prejudice, social class, and arrogance. Although Jane Austen led a quiet life, her observant eyes recorded down in her novels even the most intricate events that happened to her. Jane Austen’s most celebrated work, Pride and Prejudice, provides a glimpse of social concerns in eighteenth century England and themes that still apply today in our daily lives.
Living in a time of change and revolutions, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice dealt with social concerns of the upper class and lower class people in England. Women’s education in eighteenth century England was limited and was not organized (www.pemberly.com). There were three jobs women could have: become a wife, a governess, or a spinster. Jane Austen, who was mostly self- educated, had “little respect for formal education” (Todd 3). Schools and universities such as Eton, Oxford and Cambridge did not welcome women, and took in only men as students (www.pemberly.com). Since women had no real careers, and were expected to take on domestic responsibilities, there was little movement for a formal female education system. Yet, domestic responsibilities were the job for the servants in Pride and Prejudice, where Mrs. Bennet states her daughters are too “genteel” to be working in the kitchen (www.pemberly.com). Drawing, playing music and singing were considered to be women’s primary accomplishments (www.pemberly.com). Elizabeth Bennet is represented as a woman who is well-read, not very skilled at the piano, but has good taste in music; yet, she is not pictured as a woman with formal education. Elizabeth, without a governess was self- educated (MacDonagh 94). Elizabeth’s sister Mary, however, did not represent intelligence even though she was a profound reader. She represented “false accomplishment” having no talent in playing the piano or singing as well as trying to impress others to an unnecessary extent (MacDonagh 95). Jane intended to say that even the educated are fools if they do not use information with aptitude (Todd 3).
Other social concerns, such as marriage and courtship, resonated in Victorian England of the eighteenth century, where social gatherings took place on the dance floor (Nicolson 26). In Pride and Prejudice, dances were held regularly where the protagonist and antagonist would meet and become acquainted. Caroline Bingley once stated: "A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word" (Austen 35). Illustrating that accomplishments, reputation, and also wealth were factors that were considered for eligibility (www.pemberly.com). Mr. Wickham, a poor soldier, started to show attention to Miss King when he heard she had just inherited 5000 pounds from her uncle. Wickham’s lust for money pressed him into marrying her just for her wealth. In addition, reputation was important when a lady was considered for marriage. When Lydia eloped with Mr. Wickham, illegitimate marriage was considered to be serious in England. Lydia’s elopement tarnished the Bennet family’s reputation and disgraced them, preventing them from finding good husbands in the future. “Lydia- the humiliation, the misery, she was bringing on them all” (Austen 231). Jane Austen often commented in her novels about events that were happening to her about the informal education for women and marriage.
Along with the social concerns of the Victorian era, in Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen incorporated the theme of first impressions and love. Judging people based on first impressions leaded to many misunderstandings. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a proud man, made judgments on people the second he meets them: “My good opinion once lost is lost forever” (Austen 50). When Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth met for the first time, he refused to dance with her because he felt she was “slighted by other men” (Austen 12). Since Elizabeth was not dancing, it meant she was not wanted by any other men. Elizabeth, however, was not dancing because there was a scarcity of men in the room (Austen 11). As time progressed, Mr. Darcy, overlooked his prejudice, and found Elizabeth attractive due to her intelligence and the beauty in her “fine eyes” (Austen 25). Mr. Darcy realized that his affections for Elizabeth were growing stronger, which resulted in his marriage proposal later on. Mr. Darcy’s good opinion may not always be lost forever.
Elizabeth was quick to judge others or bear immediate dislike upon first impressions of others. Similarly, at the ball, Elizabeth set down her first impressions against Mr. Darcy based on what she has seen and heard. Elizabeth overheard Mr. Bingley suggesting that Darcy should dance with Elizabeth, whom he comments to be “very pretty” (Austen 12). Mr. Darcy refused, saying “she is tolerable, but not enough to tempt [him]” (Austen 12). At this point, Elizabeth, unimpressed and piqued, declared Mr. Darcy to be a proud and disagreeable man. Mr. Darcy’s refusal to dance with anyone he considered to be low class caused Elizabeth to dislike Mr. Darcy. As a result, she bore a grudge from this ‘first impression’. Elizabeth’s dislike for Mr. Darcy heightens at the arrival of Mr. Wickham who related to her about his past misfortunes with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth’s prejudice blinded her which made her vulnerable and accepted any comments spoken about Mr. Darcy. When Mr. Darcy had a chance to explain himself against all the lies that were spoken against him, Elizabeth’s prejudice was erased. Elizabeth, who prided herself at her skillful judgment of others, realized how mistaken she was.
In Pride and Prejudice, the theme of love is dealt in two different ways. Love, resonating throughout the whole book, is powerful and can overcome all obstacles that fall in the way. The biggest obstacle is the separation of the upper class and the middle class is evident. The Darcys, Bingleys, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh are part of the upper class while the Bennets belong to the middle class. From the beginning of the book, Austen emphasized the prejudices and the tensions that go on between these two classes. The upper class, especially Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley, treated the middle class with inferiority. Mr. Darcy gave the impression he wants nothing to do with the lower class people having once declared at a dance: “There is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with” (Austen 12). He was a proud man, and constantly aware of whom he socialized with. For the Bennets, associating with the upper class is their dream in hopes of obtaining a marriage proposal. Though there are many obstacles between these two classes, Austen showed how true love can surmount any pride, prejudices, and any other tensions. At the end of the book, she ended off with two happy marriages of Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Mr. Bingley.
True love can be forsaken if there is money involved in the process. The middle class, Bennet girls have a mindset of marrying a wealthy man. In eighteenth century England, daughters of the family had no share of the inheritance at all. Hence, it was imperative that the daughter be married into a wealthy man to secure a home and her future. An example of this mindset is Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. Charlotte Lucas has no affection or love for Mr. Collins: “I ask only for a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collin’s character, connections, and situations in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair…” (Austen 108). She sacrificed true love in exchange for reassurance that she will not live in poverty. Mr. Wickham is another example of marrying for wealth. When Miss King inherited 5000 pounds from her uncle, Mr. Wickham started to pay close attention to her in hopes of obtaining her affection (Austen 132). Mr. Wickham did not love her; he just wanted to be the master of that money when he is married to her. He was willing to do anything just to obtain those 5000 pounds. Love, when spoken on terms with money, cannot be regarded as genuine.
To fully appreciate Pride and Prejudice, it is imperative to understand the life of the author, Jane Austen, the social concerns of eighteenth century England, and themes that still exist today. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have a change in character as they realize their past mistakes. Elizabeth started to notice positive attributes Mr. Darcy possessed while Mr. Darcy became friendlier. Elizabeth affections grew for Mr. Darcy and she accepted his second proposal. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy as well as Jane and Mr. Bingley both find happiness in their marriages because of true love existing between them. Therefore, it is universally acknowledged that even though obstacles fall in the way of a relationship, love is so powerful it can overcome anything.
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