Реферат ” What is a position of a woman as it is represented in Jane Austen’s (Pride and Prejudice) and Charlotte Bronte’s (Jane Eyre) “

Content

 

Introduction

1. A position of a woman in Jane Austen’s «Pride and Prejudice»

2. A position of a woman in Charlotte Bronte’s «Jane Eyre»

Conclusions

References

 

Introduction

 

Jane Austen is one of the most famous women writers of the nineteenth century. Her novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) deals with the position of women and their social expectations, most of which are related to marriage. The protagonist of this novel represents a unique response to those expectations, which is a product of her way of thinking. Women in the nineteenth century did not have much choice when it came to their future. They could either get married or become governesses if they were educated enough. Their life was shaped mostly by their families who tried to find them a husband who would support them.

Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is set in the mid nineteenth century, during the Victorian era where class and gender roles are clearly defined in the patriarchal society.  The general ideology of the era expresses the idea that if gender categories were not maintained as binary oppositions, catastrophic chaos would likely ensue. Throughout the novel, Jane is faced with the issue of oppression.  The typical characteristics of an ideal female in Victorian society would include submissiveness, simple dress, low ambition, longing for a male love interest and passiveness.

 

1. A position of a woman in Jane Austen’s «Pride and Prejudice»

 

The novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen was set at the turn of the nineteen century, where women had little choice. Generally when reading this novel it may seem as if Austen is reinforcing or eroding sexist stereotypes of women. Rather than approving the stereotypes, she makes the reader aware of them through characters such as Mrs. Bennett whom portrays the typical way one thought of marriage during the turn of the nineteen century when women were looked as an object to marry of to a man rather than a human whose feelings mattered.

Austen also uses Elizabeth Bennett to show a non stereotypical woman of that time. Elizabeth is more focused on finding someone she loves rather than marrying anyone to simply satisfy her mother. Although the novel may portray stereotypes of sexism, Austen uses Elizabeth to show how marriage is just and obsession and that women should have a say in who they spend the rest of their lives with rather than being seen as adjuncts to the male.

During the turn of the nineteen century women had very few rights and choices. Women were constantly dependent on men, as daughters they where dependent on their fathers until they married. For this reason women were encouraged to marry base on status and fortune so that they would be taken care of. Austen uses Mrs. Bennett to make the reader aware of the stereotypical thinking of a mother during this time. When Mrs. Bennett hears of Mr. Darcy she is interested because he is «a single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year». She is not concerned about how her daughters may get along with this gentleman, or even if he has moral.

The fact that he has impressive social status is enough for her allow him to marry on of her daughters. It is almost as if her daughter is an object and she wants to find a buyer and get rid of her as soon as possible. Another example of this is when Mr. Collins comes to visit the Bennett family and decides to propose to Elizabeth who is repulsed by the idea and refuses. Mrs. Bennett tries to force Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins solely on the fact that he will inherit their estate. Mrs. Bennett is willing to marry her daughter to any man, in her mind “marrying nearly any husband is more pleasant that remaining single and poor.” (237)

Elizabeth on the other hand does not agree with mothers thinking, she believes that marriage should be based on love rather than social status and fortune. She proves this by “[refusing] to give up her self respect by marrying the foolish Mr. Collins.” (238) When Elizabeth does this Mr. Collins is very surprised, he almost does not accept no for an answer. He assumes that since he has chosen Elizabeth to be his bride that she must simply agree.

 

Для отримання повного тексту придбайте роботу!