Charlotte's acceptance of Mr. Collins’ proposal is a prime example; “marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want” (p105)1. Austen makes use of Charlotte's character to illustrate the social norms for women of the time. Charlotte's reaction to Collins' proposal is cleverly juxtaposed with Elizabeth's own values and more romantic views on marriage, as she is offered his proposal first; “You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world that could make you so”(p92)2. Elizabeth's concerns are predominately her overall happiness and mental wellbeing, as opposed to her anxieties about her future financial security. These oppositions of values offer the reader a chance to balance their own views on the sanctity of marriage.
Abstract Elizabeth Bennet is certainly an exceptional woman. She conforms to society’s expectations in many ways while stretching the boundaries in others. Beyond her observable intelligence, she creates a line between her mother and Lydia’s views on relationships and marriage. Elizabeth combines the utility and security of marriage with romantic love and mental compatibility. Body It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife (Austin, 1813).
There are three particular attitudes towards marriage present; marriage predominantly for material wealth and societal position; marriage for aesthetic and passionate reason with no regard to wealth; and the ideal marriage which consists of true love, wealth, social status and personal merit. “Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor, which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.” Jane Austen in a letter to Fanny Knight, (1817). In this letter Austen is reiterating the position women were in at a time when land ownership was patriarchal, and women were predominantly reliant on men for most things. Pride and Prejudice shows how important money, social class and behaviour were in determining many aspects of life, for example, who should be given respect, who has power and privilege and whom should marry who. It could be argued that Austen sees the concept of marriage as necessity rather than choice, which she examines and analyses through her characters and their respective partners.
In Austen’s time, the Regency Era, social status was decided by the person’s family background, reputation, occupation and wealth. Austen’s novel orbits around the heroine Emma Woodhouse, whom the wise narrator first introduces her as “handsome, clever and rich….” The collection of relevant adjectives straight away gives the reader the thought of superiority and a view to Emma’s family background. Even though Emma is first described as a pristine character, Austen fiddles around with irony as she repeatedly focuses on Emma’s flaws and imperfections rather than her morality. “Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.” This reinforces that Emma does not intend to find love for herself and this reflects her
Some of these depictions can be found in Ruth, Oliver Twist, East Lynne, and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. In the Victorian novel, women were stereotyped to ensure the dominance of the patriarchy. Presented as a role model and ideal for the family fireside readers, the sweet and beautiful angel is the arbiter of domesticity in the face of an uncaring world. In return for her loving devotion, she is rewarded by a marriage that provides her security and identity. In contrast, those women who are too willful or intelligent
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of Austen’s background characters in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ but her role and presence in the novel shouldn’t be underestimated; her interactions provide us with entertainment, frustration, exposes aspects to main characters we would otherwise not see, and importantly, is the unknowing catalyst that finally brings closure to the love story between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy. We are first introduced to “her Ladyship” through the comical and ridiculous Mr Collins, who has the utmost reverence and respect, and slightly deluded admiration for his patroness. During his visit to Longbourn he conjures up an image of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by his continual reference to her greatness and comparisons to her décor. Although the readers instinct is that this is not a character who we will come to love let alone like, leeway is initially given to judgment due to Mr Collins’ character alone. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a wealthy and domineering woman who is conveniently Mr Darcy’s aunt.
1). Austen introduces a character, Mr Knightley, into Emma who is shown as ethical and serves the purpose of assisting and supporting the spiritual growth and maturity of Emma, expanding her values and moral discipline through his guidance. Emma can be seen as a representation of a modern woman in contrast to this expectation and is an unlikely heroine given the preconceived ideas of an Austen style heroine. She is one of the first examples of a heroine without financial concern or the desire to adhere to these expectations as she is ‘handsome, clever and rich with a comfortable home and a happy disposition’ and declares she is ‘without inducement to marry without love’ (Vol. 1 Ch.
Elizabeth is a character who defies the social conventions of marriage in the novel. Austen describes marriage as ‘the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune’ (Austen, 2008: 104). Austen also states that ‘however uncertain of giving happiness, [marriage] must be their pleasantest preservation from want’ (104). This idea of marriage, as seen by social conventions of the time, is embodied in Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte does not desire love or happiness, but asks ‘only for a comfortable home’ (106), and believes that ‘happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance’ (18).
At the beginning of the novel Jane Austen states that “the real evils indeed of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own way”, which is cleverly disguised as an ordinary introduction, but its importance can’t be recognised until a second read of the novel, where it can be seen how the word “evils” could apply to Emma. Jane Austen portrays Emma throughout as a person who thinks too highly of the value of good society through the words and phrases Emma uses, such as when Emma says that she would “improve” Harriet. Emma recognises Harriet as being “exactly the young friend she wanted,” and describing her as “amiable”, “pleasant” and “sweet”. But as Emma says that she would “improve” her, which would imply she has a fault, whereas the only
What is significant about this extract at this point in the novel? You should comment closely in Bronte’s uses of form structure and language as well as subject matter. In this extract we are presented with a softer side to Mr. Rochester. He trusts Jane enough to confide in her about his ‘Grande Passion’ towards Céline Varens and how Adele came to be reliant on his care. In the Victorian era this would be seen as a scandal, so the very fact that Rochester is telling Jane, means she is of significant importance to Rochester, and he has placed a large amount of trust in her.