Marriage in Pride and Prejudice Defined by Gender, Social...

Jane Austen’s novel is commanded by women; Pride and Prejudice explores the expectations of women in a society that is set at the turn of the 19th century. Throughout the plot, Austen’s female characters are all influenced by their peers, pressures from their family, and their own desires. The social struggle of men and women is seen throughout the novel. Characters, like Elizabeth, are examples of females not acting as proper as women were supposed to, while other women like Mrs. Bennett allow themselves to be controlled by men and society. Mr. Collins is a representation of the struggles males deal with in a novel dominated by women. The theme of marriage is prominent during Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Marriage can be examined in†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"But Mrs Bennet’s obsession with marrying off her daughters at all costs stems from real practical parental concern—if they do not marry, they may starve, especially given that M r Bennet himself has made no provision for his daughters futures but seems instead to be in a form of denial—he retreats to his library† (Jones). Readers sympathize with Mrs. Bennet’s aggravating personality when they realize her actions stem from a place of worry for her daughetrs’ future. Since Mrs. Bennet is a woman, she can provide no other form of security but marriage for her daughters. Mrs. Bennet’s actions also originate from a deeply personal part of her life- her marriage. Compared to other men during this time period, Mr. Bennet has done little to give his daughters a financially sound future and sees the search for a husband as silly and dismisses it. Mrs. Bennet has no other way to support her daughters, causing her to obsess over the idea and constantly push her daughters to act proper in order to get a husband. â€Å"Mrs. Bennet makes herself ridiculous in her attempts to be overly feminine; she fancies herself a victim of othersâ₠¬â„¢ cruelty, constantly complaining that no one regards her ‘nerves’. She has little respect for decorum†¦her marriage, built on physical attraction, is now a loveless union† (Guggenheim). Mrs. Bennet’s desperation to find her daughters’ spouses can be attributed to the unaffectionateShow MoreRelatedJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1653 Words   |  7 PagesSocial norms are the unwritten rules of society, which serve as a blueprint on how one should act. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this idea is supported by the opening statement, as it creates the perception of social protocols having a role in how individuals are supposed to act. 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