Jane Austen’s Novel Pride and Prejudice Essay - 874 Words

Recipe for Happiness â€Å"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of† (Austen). The bluntness of this quote fully encompasses the main theme of an advantageous marriage for the English novelist, Jane Austen. Her realism, biting irony and social commentary have gained her historical importance among scholars and critics (Southam). Austen’s major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, were composed between the years 1795-1815. During those twenty years England was at the height of its power facing many historical landmarks (Thomson). It is no coincidence that Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, coincides directly with the historical events of this time period. The most visible impact that is historically†¦show more content†¦Because of the family aspirations to gain wealth and social standing along with the need for financial survival, courtship was a central focus for women’s lives (Sheehan), shown through the pursuit of marriage for each of Mrs. Bennett’s daughters. However in the late eighteenth century the conception of women’s rights began to change. â€Å"In the language of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, woman should be treated as the rational equals of men† (Wollstonecraft). Just as Wollstonecraft suggests, the idea of equality became more prominent and social conditions for women began to change during the late 1800’s. More educational opportunities were available to woman, but they were still considered weaker than men (Womens Suffrage Movement). All these historical commentaries were portrayed in Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett was not financially independent due to the conflict of her father’s property and depended on marriage for this reason. However she also shows the conflicting transformations in women’s roles that occurred by asserting her intellectual and moral independence to Mr. Darcy during his first proposal. Although her financial and social desires desperately needed to be met, she denies his proposal and asserts that independence. She does the same to Mr. Collins despite securing her families inheritance. The Military. The Militia was another form of social class in the 1800’s.Show MoreRelated Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice: Novel and Movie Essay652 Words   |  3 PagesJane Austens Pride and Prejudice: Novel and Movie Pride and Prejudice, the novel by Jane Austen, and Sense and Sensibility, the movie based on the novel by Austen, share many striking similarities. 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