Jane Austen Mocks

Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice at the end of the 18th century, when women were to be considered fragile and without choice. Scholars agreed that in her writing, Austen tries to define her personal concept of feminism,and mocks the forbearing, social, and marriage structures of her time. Pride and Prejudice portray a female dominated society, in which women are expected to behave in ‘ladylike’ ways, and social status depended on wealth and family. Through the plot of the novel and its main characters, Austen indirectly presents social problems to raise awareness of the issues of equality, respect, and options women were lacking during the 18th century. Jane Austen mocks the female dominated society by only having a few female characters

During the 18th century, all mothers cared about was that their daughters marry to rich men to keep their wealth and possibly heighten their social status. Jane Austen executes this perfectly with Mrs.Bennet, the mother reminds the audience constantly that she cares about money and not the man their daughters are marring. For example, Mrs.Bennet had a disgusting view of Mr.Darcy, but only when Elizabeth is engaged is when her views changed and rejoiced in the proposal. This effect happens continuously with the three of her daughters who were engaged. When women were asked in their hand in marriage, they were expected to say “yes”, this is where Jane Austen gives the women power, and in the novel she gives Elizabeth the power to say “no” to two proposals. In the 18th century, women would be heavily criticized if they were to say “no” to a proposal. When Mr.Collins proposed, he acted as if it were a business transaction, and had no feeling of love in his proposal. He expected for Elizabeth to say “yes”, he stated that her family would greatly benefit from their marriage. Showing that Elizabeth has no choice in marrying him just to keep the money in their