Elizabeth In Pride And Prejudice

In Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, money and property are valued most highly. By law, the Bennet daughters cannot inherit their father’s estate. This means that women in the nineteenth century are essentially powerless. However, Elizabeth, using her cleverness and wit, goes against the norms of this society. Using her language, she demonstrates that she does not fit into the socially accepted categories for women – she is neither “a proper lady like Jane or to turn her into a figure of fun and fantasy like Mrs. Bennet” (Maaja Stewart, Domestic Realities and Imperial Fictions (1993)).

Elizabeth’s actions, unlike a “proper” lady in this time period, are not governed by the approval of others. While the other women in this society value the opinion of others most highly, since they are constantly trying to get men’s attention, Elizabeth contradicts this norm, by not caring about what others think of her. A prime example of Elizabeth’s not worrying about other people’s opinion of her was when she walked in mud for miles to see her sister; she showed up at Netherfield looking very messy and did not care about what the Bingleys or their friends thought of her. Elizabeth’s

She wants marriage on her own terms: for love and companionship, which is highly unusual in a society where women choose the men they want to marry based on wealth, not for love or happiness. Charlotte describes this when conversing with Elizabeth about Jane and Bingley’s relationship:

"Though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses"