Does Pride and Prejudice Reinforce or Erode Sexist Stereotypes of Women?

Pride and Prejudice and Sexist Stereotypes of Women The novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, was first published in 1813, almost two hundred years ago. The story reflects the author's feelings about marriage, the decorum of a lady, and the relationship of the sexes in early eighteenth century England. This work strives to break the stereotypical expectations of behavior of an eighteenth century woman.

Austen begins her novel with the lines, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a sing man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little is known about the feelings or views of such a man may be on first entering the neighborhood, this is a truth so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters" (p. 273).

This supposition assumes that a man of means wants a wife and said man is not only fair game for the single ladies of the neighborhood, but the normal desire of such. By thus defining the roles of the sexes Austin sets the stage for her entire novel. Pride and Prejudice is an examination of these views and a look at how one woman asserts herself in the face of societal expectations.

The story may be seen as a rejection of the role imposed on the early nineteenth century female, who was dependent upon a man in order to define her success and a break from this stereotype. Discussion The story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet, one of five daughters of Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, and what occurs when Charles Bingley, a man with means, moves into the neighborhood. Soon thereafter Mrs.

Bennet nags her husband to arrange a meeting for Bingley with her five daughters in the hopes of marrying one of them off. Bingley becomes enamored Elizabeth's sister, Jane. Through a conversation between Elizabeth and her close friend and neighbor Charlotte Lucas, Austin reveals how a marriage is little more than a business deal for some woman. Charlotte believes Jane should pursue Bingley more aggressively or she runs the risk of losing the "opportunity of fixing him" (p. 286).

Charlotte contends, "When she [Jane] secures him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses" (p. 286). Elizabeth agrees that this is a good plan if one's only desire is to be well married, but what of happiness? Charlotte responds, "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well-known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least.

They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexations; it is better to know as little as possible of the person with whom you are to pass your life" (p. 287). Charlotte's is a cynical view of marriage and implies that it is acceptable, in fact expected for a woman to be materialistic, back stabbing and conniving in order to achieve their ends. Fittingly, Charlotte marries Mr. Collins for his money. Elizabeth, the protagonist in the novel, rejects Charlotte's views on marriage and love.

She rejects Mr. Collins' proposal of marriage even though he is a man of means. For his part Mr. Collins cannot fathom the rejection and believes Elizabeth is only playing hard to get. Through this Austin is demonstrating Elizabeth's independence and showing that she has a free will. Mr. Collins reaction shows this is not the typical female behavior he expects. It is significant to note that Elizabeth was attracted to George Wickham. Wickham, like Charlotte, viewed marriage as a method of improving one's lot in life.

His eventual marriage to Lydia, Elizabeth's sister, is only consummated by a guarantee of an allowance. Austen is showing that men and women are more alike than one might surmise. Vivian Jones notes that Pride and Prejudice offers a great deal of good sense for the naturally drawn characters and that Elizabeth Bennet is a heroine whose independence of character is kept within the proper line of decorum. The expression of feminist values was not as overt two hundred years ago as it is today.

Nevertheless, this does not diminish the importance of the sentiments. Michael Stasio and Kathryn Duncan have observed that a paradigm shift regarding marriage and gender occurred during the eighteenth century. The subordination of women began to diminish and new ideologies of gender and marriage began to surface. "Nowhere can this be seen more clearly than in the most canonical of.