Literary Criticism of Pride and Prejudice PDF

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This literary criticism used the theories of Feminism and Marxism to identify the characters and themes of the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen...

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Pride and Prejudice A Feminist and Marxist Review of the Characters and Themes

Submitted by:

JOANNA M. NOVENO BSE - 3C Second Semester, AY 2020-2021 April 20, 2021

Submitted to:

DARWIN M. ANDRES Subject Teacher SEE 21 (Literary Criticism)

This paper analyzes one of the classics of English literature, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice which was anonymously published in 1813. The novel features the turbulent rela tionship between Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited, outspoken, and intelligent woman from the countryside, and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich, proud, and reserved aristocrat. The charact ers and themes of the novel will be analyzed using the theories of Feminism and Marxism. F eminism is concerned with "... how literature reinforce or undermine the economic, politica l, social, and psychological oppression of women" (Tyson, 83). A feminist criticism focuses o n the role of representation of women in the text. Marxism focuses on the representation of class conflict and the reinforcement of class distinctions through the medium of literature. Based on the theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Marxist criticism examines the na ture of the power struggles within the text. The characters are the people or beings that se rve as the doers in the story and the theme is the central idea or topic within the text. Femi nism and Marxism will be used to analyze these elements. SYNOPSIS The quiet country life of Elizabeth Bennet and her family becomes upended when a handsome and rich aristocrat, Mr. Charles Bingley and his friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy arrived in Netherfield. While Jane, the eldest sister and Mr. Bingley instantly made a meaningful connection, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s first encounter is less cordial for they are both proud and are prejudiced against each others characters. The conflict between the two was heightened by the arrival of Mr. Wickham, a handsome military official who tells Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy has cheated him out of an inheritance. While Elizabeth develops feelings for Mr. Wickham, Darcy has started falling for her wit and spirit. Darcy and Bingley eventually leaves for London which left Jane dismayed and Elizabeth more averse to Darcy believing that he is preventing the happiness of her sister. Months later when Elizabeth was visiting a friend, she and Darcy met and he proposed to Elizabeth which she refused on the grounds of all the awful things she learned about his character. Afterwards, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter refuting Wickham’s claims about him and explaining his past actions which made Elizabeth see him in a better light. Mr. Wickham ended up eloping with Lydia, Elizabeth’s youngest sister and Mr. Darcy hoping to gain Elizabeth’s favour, helped the Bennets find her and payed off Wickham to marry her saving the Bennets from shame. Bingley and Darcy returned to Netherfield and Bingley continued his courtship with Jane which led to their engagement. Elizabeth did not let Lady Catherine, Darcy’s aunt stop her from being with Darcy and when he proposed, she tenderly accepted him and she and Jane got married. ANALYSIS Feminism Pride and Prejudice is a Feminist novel that features characters and themes that em power women and challenges stereotypical views and norms associated with how women a re supposed to be. The novel reveals that women are marginalized by societal

norms and that they have to compete with their male partners for respect and care. In Prid e and Prejudice, Austen criticizes women's economic and social rights which are offered to men and took from women. They are treated differently in society; they experience gender difference, gender inequality, gender oppression, and structural oppression. The themes of the novel are gender roles, social class, marriage, and family. Men an d women are viewed in society differently unequally. Women get fewer properties, power, a nd opportunities for independence than men. In the novel, the inequality can be seen in the entailment system. Mr. Bennet’s ancestors decided to entail Longbourn's house which mea ns it can only be passed on to a male heir. Mrs. Bennet : Oh! My dear, I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it. (p. 83) The unequal treatment of men and women in the novel Pride and Prejudice can be seen in the system of entailment. Entailment means passing on the property to the next male heir. The Bennets do not have a male son and they can not pass on an estate to their daughters as the law forbids it so the property must go to their nearest male relative which is Mr. Collins. Women must be meek and mild-mannered, submissive, graceful, and possess some “useful” skills to please men. As Mr. Darcy told Elizabeth in the novel : “A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing...a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice...” (p. 28) In other words, women are expected to be perfect ornaments for men to show off and assert their social status and wealth to other men and in the society that puts so much importance on honor and reputation. Women can only be accomplished through one thing, a successful and advantageous wedding. For them, it is either get married or become an old spinster. From a young age, they are trained to become perfect wives and taught skills or talents that will catch the attention of rich and reputable suitors. Austen rejects this notion in the novel when she wrote her protagonist, Elizabeth as a spirited and intelligent woman who goes against the norms to be herself.

On social class viewed through the lens of feminism, women can only climb up the social ladder or upgrade their social standing through advantageous marriage to wealthy

and titled men. However, there are representations of women in the higher echelons of social standings and they are the de Bourghs. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a very wealthy and powerful woman as she is a widow of an earl. There is no entail in Rosings so the property is hers and soon it will be her daughter’s Lady Anne de Bourgh. Lady Catherine is a respected and powerful member of society. She is also the benefactor of Mr. Collins, so he is in her beck and call. Mr. Collins has immense respect and gratitude to Lady Catherine so he all but worships her. Marriage is the only way for women to be happy. At least that is what most women in the novel think. Getting married is the only way for women to get support and the only reason why the could should survive and achieve happiness. This is why Charlotte Lucas agreed to married Mr. Collins. “it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however certain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want.”(p. 93) Charlotte accepted Mr. Collin’s proposal because she is getting old and she believes that she needs a marriage to an able man with property to be happy. Elizabeth tried to talk Charlotte out of the wedding because she believes that she will not have happiness in a marriage of advantage without love. This is the reason why Elizabeth rejected Mr. Collin’s proposal, she believes that marriage should be founded on love and mutual respect. All of the families in the society are patriarchal meaning, it is run by a man. They make all the important decisions and they get the last word on everything as the women only depend on them. In a family, the women are expected to be perfect and submissive wives who follow their husbands’ wishes. The moment a woman married a man, she becomes his and she will have to devote her life to him and to raise their family. Women are only homemakers. Meaning, she stays home, manages the house, raises the children, and takes care of her husband. The protagonist of the novel, Elizabeth Bennet, is a symbol of feminism because she actively goes against the social norms and responsibilities that are attached to women in her time. The novel was able to set up Elizabeth Bennet as a strong and empowered female character through character foils. Her character radiates feminism when seen in contrast to Jane Bennet who is naturally gentle and kind, and Georgina Darcy which is shy, introverted, and versatile. Even Miss Bingley is a refined woman “with an air of decided fashion”. These characters all fit in the description of a proper noblewoman perfect to be a man’s wife. Elizabeth with her value for individualism, choice, freedom, and equality of opportunity contrast all these traits. Elizabeth :Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. You must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the compliment of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and very rich, and by refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise. In making me

the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your feelings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn estate. (p. 147) Elizabeth claims individualism by saying that she has her own mind and that she ca n think for herself. She would rather give her Longbourn estate and refuses the help in the f orm of a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins as she does not want to sacrifice her own hap piness to marry a man she does not love because of an entailed property. Through her acti on, she also claims the equality of man and woman in the freedom to choose their partners and find happiness. This is Elizabeth’s attempt to avoid the system and keep her freedom a nd individuality. Elizabeth goes against most of the social norms and expected behavior for women. She loves “useless” reading, and she is intelligent and spirited with good self-esteem. This is why she was so ready to refuse Darcy’s proposal which was laced with an arrogant tone. “why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me you chose to tell me...” Elizabeth has shown self-respect and self-reliance. She scorns conventions made by patriarchal society and stays firm on her beliefs and aspirations. Another character that is in contrast to Elizabeth is the Bennet’s youngest sister Lydia. Lydia is a representation of young and uneducated women her age. Like her mother, Mrs. Benner, she only cares about gossip, socializing, and men. They believe that women’s accomplishment comes in marriage. Lydia’s foolish, and headstrong behavior frequently embarrasses her older sisters and her entire family. “our respectability in the world must be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia’s character” She is a notorious flirt who only thinks about men and never about the consequence s of her actions. Her lowest moments comes when she eloped with Mr. Wickham and almost ruined her entire family. Instead of thinking of the repercussions of her actions, she only thi nks about her own importance. “Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman.” Her foolishness and selfishness amplified Elizabeth’s strong character because as op posed to Lydia, Elizabeth always thinks about her actions and has enough self-respect not t o throw herself at every handsome and rich man she meets. She would rather read her boo ks than flirt with men on the town and she thinks doing so is foolish. Charlotte Lucas also has contrasting traits to Elizabeth’s. Even though she was intr oduced as an “intelligent and sensible woman”, Charlotte’s views and actions on love, marri

age, and happiness contradict Elizabeth’s. Unlike Elizabeth, she is not romantic and only w ants a stable life. “‘I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.'” She believes that she can be happy with Mr. Collins because he can provide her a home and a life of stability. She knows that Mr. Collins is her last chance for marriage because she is getting old so she just accepted him because she does not want to be a burden to her family. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the wealthy and powerful widow of an earl who happens to be Darcy’s aunt. She is domineering, over-bearing, and is used to having her way at everything. She can not stand when people disagree with her or goes against her will. Her character represents the traditional norms of society like arranged marriages and strict adherence to the rules of society and social class. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice remains relevant today because it teaches women to champion individualism, freedom, self-esteem, and love. It is a reminder that women should not settle for less and seek love and happiness. Its protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet is a role model for women everywhere because she is not afraid to stand up for herself in a patriarchal society and fights for her right to choose and make decisions for herself that will lead to her happiness. Marxism Pride and Prejudice paints a picture of a society run by the rich and powerful and shows the lives of the marginalized class in the society. The people in the upper echelons of society are respected and or their influence and money so they act superior and belittles other people. Austen portrays the division of classes and the struggles of the mid-lower classes through the themes of gender roles, marriage, and family, and the relationship between the characters in the novel. It is most evident in the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy and how their pride and prejudice brought misunderstanding and conflict between them. The novel shows how relationships were determined by wealth and social standing. One’s social standing also dictates one’s role in society. Noblewomen are expected to present themselves with propriety and noblemen must find a woman suitable to their social standing to marry. One instance that shows the expectations from noblewomen can be seen when Elizabeth showed an unkempt action and appearance in Netherfield in the middle of a storm. She was drenched in rain and her dress and stockings are dirtied by mud.

"What could she mean by it? It seems to me show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most countrytown indifference to decorum (p. 24)". Ms. Bingley hinted that Elizabeth’s acts do not pass their expectations for women's behavior and attitudes and their class prestige. Both men and women judged women's mannerisms and characters according to society's expectations of them based on their social standing. It is okay for the lower class to be unkempt but it is uncalled for and even forbidden to members of the higher class because they have a reputation to uphold. Wealth and social status also boost the self-esteem of aristocrats and somehow, they feel like they have a say or can meddle in the lives of the people under them. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a very wealthy woman and she has made it business to meddle or dictate the lives of people around her. She often gives “advice” to Charlotte about what she must do and how she must be and the other has no choice but to follow her because Lady Catherine is their benefactor meaning, they are below her in the social ladder. On the subject of marriage, it is expected for rich and powerful families to marry into a family in the same station. Fortune and social status established a strong relationship in the novel. It was unusual, perhaps unspeakable, that a wealthy gentleman of the upper class would marry a lady of the middle class. This is shown in Darcy’s initial proposal to Elizabeth. “In vain I have struggled. It will not do! My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. In declaring myself thus I'm fully aware that I will be going expressly against the wishes of my family, my friends, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement. The relative situation of our families is such that any alliance between us must be regarded as a highly reprehensible connection. Indeed as a rational man I cannot but regard it as such myself, but it cannot be helped. Almost from the earliest moments of our acquaintance I have come to feel for you a passionate admiration and regard, which despite of my struggles, has overcome every rational objection. And I beg you, most fervently, to relieve my suffering and consent to be my wife.” (C. 34) His proposal reflects his character and views on marrying below his station. Mr. Darcy is rich and reputable so he has a lot of pride. He is saying that it is not rational to marry her because of her social rank, meager wealth, and reputation in society. He believes his rank to be way superior to hers and she was supposed to feel honored that a man like him wants a woman like her. This may be attributed to the fact that many women will feel honored and lucky to have a wealthy and powerful man like him but

evidently, not Elizabeth. While he may be sincere, he has wounded Elizabeth’s pride and caused her to resent him. This is also evident in Lady Catherine’s statement of opposition in the possible matching of Darcy and Elizabeth. She went all the way to Longbourne just to tell Elizabeth to turn down Darcy if he ever proposed to her because they are not suitable for each other. Lady Catherine has long considered Darcy to be the perfect match for his daughter Lady Anne. "They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father's, from respectable, honorable, and ancient -- though untitled -- families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid (p. 249)." They are both from noble families and their upbringing especially their fortunes form a perfect match. The prevailing view is that the perfect marriage is between two people who have the same fortune and social standing. Lady Catherine looks down on Elizabeth because she virtually has nothing and her family only has a meager income. The Bennet’s are a distinguished member of the society as their head of the family, Mr. Benent is a gentleman but they are not wealthy. Lady Catherine thinks that Darcy is doing their family a disservice by choosing to marry into a family of poor nobles. The family is, therefore, at the center of maneuvering the economic security which resulted in marriage. One of the most significant ordeals as a consequence of the stability of marriage and economic continuity as one of the critical features of their society is that women are unable to earn for themselves and they are dependent on the wealth of their husbands. The conflict between the main characters of the novel arose as a consequence of their pride and self-importance based on their status and their prejudice against people who belong in the higher or lower class in society. While Darcy is reserved and introverted, he is not short of self-importance and pride in his abilities and social standing. His prejudiced views about the middle class are shown at the beginning of the novel as he prides himself to be a man of class and splendid character. This is why he was reluctant to attend the community ball in the countryside because the class and characters of the people there are not to his tastes. He is also averse to the idea of dancing with any of the ladies at the ball because he thinks that they just want him for his money and influence. His haughty attitude caused Elizabeth to think of him as arrogant and obnoxious and only fueled her prejudice against the upper class. Elizabeth, like Darcy, is proud and accomplished in her own right. Although they live in the countryside and do not have a large fortune, she is spirited, witty, and independent. Darcy’s refusal to dance with her at the ball hurt her pride as a woman

and as a member of the middle class. She thinks that members of the upper class are snobbish and arrogant just because they are wealthy. Her initial prejudice against Darcy

was fueled by Wickham. Elizabeth resents Darcy enough that she was ready to believe everything Wickham tells her about his character. She believed him when he said that Darcy cheated him out o...