Feminist in Pride and Prejudice

 Jane Austen critically examines the feminism of Elizabeth Bennet, heroine of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The feminist view found in Pride and Prejudice is well-supported in literary criticism yet little discussion has focused on Elizabeth’s feminism as seen in the prominent contrast to her female foils within the novel, namely Caroline, Jane, and Charlotte. Each of these women conforms to the socially imposed gender norms of Regency England, while Elizabeth artfully challenges gender inequality.

As other women adapt their views to increase their chances of marriage, Elizabeth persistently refuses to capitulate. Defying traditional gender norms, Elizabeth affirms her feminist perspective by helping to shape Mr. Darcy’s moral character to match her own. Elizabeth inspires Mr. Darcy to set aside the pride he has in his high station in society in order to win her affections and take her hand in marriage. I argue that Elizabeth’s character is not feminist in isolation, but is understood only in contrast to Caroline, Jane, and Charlotte. This claim is supported by an in-depth comparison of Elizabeth and each of the female foils.

The unconventional position of the main character Elizabeth has a corrective purpose, shown through her impact on Mr. Darcy’s moral character in Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth’s ability to exert positive influence over one of society’s most affluent men, Mr. Darcy, offers evidence for a feminist ability to subvert the male-dominated society of Regency England. A close examination of Elizabeth in contrast to three other female characters from the novel reveals the feminist objective found within her beliefs.

Elizabeth’s feminist perspective is not feminism in the extreme sense, but rather demonstrates her determination to assert independence from societal bounds and influence traditional views about marriage that hindered women’s self-autonomy at the time in Regency England. To stress the purpose of Elizabeth’s feminism, her unconventional ambition of seeking gender equality is made more salient with the presence of three other comparable female characters in the novel. Caroline, Jane and Charlotte are foils representing women of the time who believe they must alter their views in order to gratify the men in their lives and attain a husband. Elizabeth acts contrary to her female foils, holding steadfast to her feminist intent throughout the novel. Elizabeth’s feminism displayed in contrast with Caroline, Jane and Charlotte’s traditional Regency England female personas reveals the purpose of her unconventionality for impacting Mr. Darcy, intended by Austen. Elizabeth’s independence is illustrated in her refusal to bend to the will of a male-dominated society and her rejection of social dictates. I argue that Elizabeth, the female protagonist, transcends her expected role, exerting influence over her male love interest, Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth’s feminist views impact Mr. Darcy’s moral character, adjusting his prideful nature and extending his worldview to match her own moral standards for a husband.

Pride and Prejudice, I written by Jane Austen in 1813, is a renowned novel set in the world of Regency England and centers on the fortunes of the five daughters of the Bennet family. As there are no sons in the family, the inheritance must go to the next male heir, their cousin Mr. Collins. To ensure the Bennet family’s future financial security, Mrs. Bennet strives to see her daughters married. Elizabeth, the second-eldest daughter, takes the role of heroine in the novel. She will not bend to her mother’s will and accept a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins due to his conceited nature. Elizabeth’s rejection of societal conventions illustrates her feminism. The significance of Elizabeth’s character as a feminist was at times overlooked, thus this paper aims to establish Elizabeth’s feminist role is not merely “periodic in structure and theme” (Brown, 1969: 1582). The feminist views manifest through the protagonist Elizabeth has a purpose other than comedic effect. Through Elizabeth, Austen provides clues to her dissatisfaction with the limitations imposed by society. This paper challenges the one-dimensional view that the protagonist’s feminist attitude was purely intended by Austen for comedy. I argue that Elizabeth’s feminist intent serves the purpose of impacting Mr. Darcy. By using the foil contrast method, I believe that this paper provides a more comprehensive view of Elizabeth’s feminist.