Pride And Prjudice

A concern for many nineteenth century women was the anticipation of marrying a wealthy man. In the beginning of the novel, Austen uses irony to display this fact. She writes, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen, 1). The use of irony is seen because in actuality it is not the man that is in possession of a wife, it is a wife in possession of a man. Austen satirizes the concept of marriage. Marriage for love came second to the traditional pragmatic view of ma

Austen satirizes the expectations that society placed on women. Not only do they have to have a high social ranking, they must have accomplishments as well. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were in awe in the amount of things that women were able to do. In a conversation between the Bingley’s, Darcy and Elizabeth they name a list of accomplishments that women have. “They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses…a woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages….”( Austen, 82). Why does this society have such high expectations for women when it does not allow them to succeed? Women were not allowed to join the political arena, or have an equal say in the course of their lives. They were supposed to learn all these different crafts, yet use them in no practical way. Austen satirizes the irony that is involved in these expectations. It is a surprise that women were able to break free from this oppressive lifestyle to make a better life for future generations.

Jane Austen was different from many women because she never married. In her novel she satirizes the urgency of women to marry. In the nineteenth century, if women did not marry they were expected to continue to live with their parents. In most cases, women married for the sole purpose of leaving home. This was seen in poor households as well as very rich households. In 1830, Queen Victoria had to have her mother live with her in the palace, until she married Albert. No exceptions were made to any single class (Smith 58). Austen satirizes this concept when Charlotte Lucas is considered an old maid. Charlotte

Some topics in this essay:
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