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

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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.

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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….....

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