Families' financial situations and position in society imposes constraints on women during that period of time. Elizabeth who is from the middle class family is constrained by the society's unwritten 'rules'. She is expected to socialize and marry within her own level.

Because honour, decorum, prudence… if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by every one connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of

This illustrates the power Lady Catherine de Bourgh upholds, due to her fortune and position in the society she is able to control and retain her power against others, and make those below her obey and perform her demands.

Upper class men were most privileged in this patriarchal society, considering their position, wealth and education. They were able to own large and beautiful properties in the city with many servants and housekeepers. This is presented through Mr. Darcy.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh highly disapproves of Elizabeth engaging to Mr Darcy, who possesses a higher status than her own. She pronounced Elizabeth's unsuitable background, if Elizabeth broke the unwritten 'rules', she will be prejudiced and disdained by Darcy's family and connections. Through out the entire novel, Austen has created a distinction of levels in the classes, and clearly illustrated the roles expected to be performed in each class. This is also evident when Darcy first proposed to Elizabeth.

Wealth, family connections and position were extremely important during that society of the time, the distinctions between classes were based on those issues. Upper class men and women were generally privileged due to their money, which gave them power and control over the lower classes. Many upper class were more privileged compared to the lower class due to their wealth, because money was everything, it gave them more freedom.

A clergyman like you must marry. - Chuse properly, chuse a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high.

Darcy has lived under this condition during all his life, because of his high position and

Some topics in this essay:
Lady Catherine, Jane Austen, Bennet Darcy, Considering Elizabeth's, Wickham Lydia, middle class, lady catherine, catherine de, lady catherine de, catherine de bourgh, de bourgh, upper class, position society, class ladies, Pride Prejudice, due wealth, middle class ladies, position wealth, lower class, own social level, upper class privileged,