Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in the village of Steventon, near Basingstoke, in Hampshire. She was the youngest of seven children. She was daughter of the Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra. Jane was educated at home and never really lived apart from her family. From her oldest sister Cassandra, she was most inseparable. As a ... discontinued her motivation shortly for writing books. But, she was very familiar with he eighteenth century novels. She often read Richardson's Sir Charles Grandison and also the novels of Fanny Burney. "None of the books published in her li...

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... we can already sense the importance of the social class in the story. The news about the new upper class landowner Mr. Bingley arises the great interests from his neighbors because of his wealth and his single status. He soon becomes a "target" for women that are looking for a perfect husband. The reaction of Mrs. Bennet's urge desire to know Mr. Bingley and hope to wed her daughter to this mysterious gentleman ... well married, I shall have nothing to wish for" (p.11). Darcy's consciousness of class difference gives him a hard time for courting Elizabeth. In his first proposal to Eliza...

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... about his daughters. Mr. Bennet cruelly mocks his wife silliness and is shown to be sarcastic, and cynical with comments as " you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party" (2). He laughs at her total obsession with finding suitable husbands for her five daughters. Elizabeth is to some extent similar to her father's cynicism. At ... thorough amusement, for he believes that Darcy has no interest in his daughter. As well when the Gardiners are talking about a future mistress of Pemberley. They don't know that Darcy had proposed to Elizabeth and that ...

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... for women had to be provided by governesses within the home. Women who had no chance of getting married and winning economic security had to depend on charity or work as a governess, such as Jane Fairfax; therefore, most young ladies spent all of their time and effort looking for a suitable husband, just as Harriet. Regardless of how you are as a person, your qualities, likes and ... dislikes, if you are not in a high position in the social hierarchy, you ultimately need to marry a male of high status in order to survive in the social standings. We see that both Jane Fairfax ... by Jan...

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... for women had to be provided by governesses within the home. Women who had no chance of getting married and winning economic security had to depend on charity or work as a governess, such as Jane Fairfax; therefore, most young ladies spent all of their time and effort looking for a suitable husband, just as Harriet. Regardless of how you are as a person, your qualities, likes and ... dislikes, if you are not in a high position in the social hierarchy, you ultimately need to marry a male of high status in order to survive in the social standings. We see that both Jane Fairfax ... by Jan...

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... hurts Jane she will not feel badly towards them, the only time someone hurts Jane enough to lose her regard of them is Miss Bingley in the letter she sends Jane and the way she calls on Jane in London, but does not inform Mr Bingley of her presence in the city. After this Jane says nothing on the matter but just stops contact with her. Jane's view ... , I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can."" Elizabeth is a sharp and perceptive person, she "has a quickness- which makes her stand out form her other sisters and makes her father's favourite daughter. Jane looks too much for good to see...

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... good reputation, at a young age by her parents. Emma finds this quite an enchanting story because of the mystery in Harriet's background. However, she chooses to believe that Harriet is in fact the daughter of a gentleman and therefore deserves a lot from life. Nevertheless, Emma is certainly the person of power in this relationship leaving Harriet in awe, a feeling due social position. This is because Emma and ... what she should do." Harriet also represents the effects of social class in marriage because of the Mrs Smith/Mr Elton / Mrs Woodhouse dilemma. This problem arises when Emma...

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... since Jane Austen's time, people and life haven't really changed all that much. The universal life issues of money, love, friendship, class and finding ones place in the world take place both in the novel and the film. From the very beginning of both the novel and film, there are similarities between the two main characters. Emma Woodhouse, the leading role in Emma, is part of the rich, expensive civilization of a large and heavily ... wealth and class they are spoiled and tend to think too highly of themselves. Relationships are one of the key issues raised and explored in both the nov...

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... blindness regarding themselves and others (Moler 6). This change of insight is noticed and primarily brought about by the time both Darcy and Elizabeth spend at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's home. Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel, commands the role of the second daughter of five from a middle class family, in Hertfordshire, England. She is a narrator of sorts, reflecting the opinion of the author (A Literary History of England 1205). Critic A.C. Bradley said, "Elizabeth Bennet is a girl we ... are meant to fall in love with" (British Writers 28). Elizabeth is also called "one of ...

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... only due to mutual love but also due to the need for financial security among young women. Jane Austen, in Pride and Prejudice, shows her view of marriage during her time through a simply disastrous marriage, a marriage of economic compulsion, and a marriage of pure love. Austen, through her characterization of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, illustrates an example of a marriage initiated by passion, ultimately leading to ... and intellect serve as a stark contrast to Mrs. Bennet's stupidity and lack of judgment. Her lack of competency has frustrated and disappointed Mr. Bennet causing him to give ...

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... getting married; she had relatively little intelligence and a poor education. Without a good education Miss Bates could never become independent by being a governess, the only occupation open to a gentlewoman. Also, Miss Bates, as the surviving daughter must take care of her ailing mother and manage their little money as best she can. To add to Miss Bates' financial worries, in order to keep her social ... is a girl who will marry somebody or other) till she grow desperate, and is glad to catch at the old writing master's son. (p.55) Marriage for any woman in Jane Austen's time meant se...

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... had a big say in what who their son married. If the mother did not approve of the match, she did not give any dowery to their child. Also, there is the patrilineal system. Land is passed down from father to son. Although some of the land was given to the daughter as a dowery. The majority of the land did go to the son. Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters had to leave Norland ... , have no dowery, and to some, they don't seem first class material. Back in those days, money and land were the most important thing to them. Free mate selection did happen, but it few married for true love at the t...

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... not complete without her mother. It is because of this close relationship at the beginning that the breakdown is so upsetting for the reader as we come to know both these characters and identify with their relationship with one another. Her mother even reverts to saying Jeanette is 'no daughter of [hers]' This is reminiscent of Jane Eyre as Jane's relationship with her aunt is very ... and is able to identify with her because we take comfort in our family and friends. The fact that Jane takes comfort in the company of a stranger shows the lack of trust and feelings she has for her ...

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... partner in any marriage. They held the surname; they were the main if not the only source of income. They played the major part in socializing and organising. Women were solely for child bearing and pleasing the male partner. Maybe Jane Austen tries to imply that women have more importance to the male than it seemed at that time. She knows that in the 1800's most marriages were based ... not match Mr. Bennett's by along way. Mrs. Bennett is referred to as quite ignorant and immature towards importances in life other than her daughter's marriage and care. She thinks that her children sho...

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... to exist. His easy going and well meaning demeanor contrast strongly with Mr. Dracy. Jane Bennet Jane Bennet, the oldest Bennet daughter, is beautiful, humble, and selfless. She is a bit naive because of her good nature, especially when it comes to recognizing the wickedness of others. This leaves her vulnerable to injury from insincere friends like Caroline Bingley. Mrs. Bennet Mrs. Bennet is a foolish woman ... but after Darcy's fathers death Darcy decided that Wickam didn't deserve anything. Wickam ended up getting nothing. At the ball at Netherfield the Bingley's deny this is true. ...

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... set a bad example to Harriet. Emma's assumptions about people who are of a lower class than her family and friends are a way for the author to confuse the reader. The reader will find Emma to be intriguing because she is such an amiable character, but at the same time they will feel sorry for her because of her upbringing. She has been raised to believe that she is ... tells Mr. Knightly, "With all dear Emma's little faults, she is an excellent creature. Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder sister, or a truer friend? where Emma errs once, she is in the right a hundred times...

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... and are influenced by financial considerations. Social Background 19th century England had serious social problems from the heyday of Royalty and Nobility. In the time of the Regency, Britain was at the period of transition form the earlier stage of Capitalism Industrialization. As the development of Capitalism and the expand of the rank of rich people, the distinction between social stratum was becoming smaller and smaller, while money was getting more and ... exceeding power would certainly come to a person as long as he/she has money and is in high social position. The importance of m...

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... not want to explain why, but Mrs Jennings guesses that it has something to do with his daughter Miss Williams. After he leaves, the rest of the group decides to drive about and then dance in the evening. The next day it comes to light that Marianne went to Allenham with Mr Willoughby; unchaperoned. This ... does not give any implication on when he is likely to return. Elinor doubts their engagement once again. Chapter 16 Marianne is heartbroken and crying most of the time. When she and Elinor take a walk, they see a man on horseback. At first Marianne confuses him with Mr Willoughby and ...

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... his family that he feels real fatherly love for. This is seen from the fact that even though he is often very reserved and distant, the one time he shows emotion it is directed towards her. The act takes place towards the end of the novel, after Darcy announces to him his intention of marriage. The reader first notices that he is not his usual self when Lizzy walks ... loose his composure as he discusses the subject with Elizabeth. The way he chastises Kitty is vintage Mr. Bennet, full of sarcasm and hyperbole to the extent that makes his youngest daughter cry. It is obvious to the read...

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... to his pride in falling in love with her. Though a satisfactory outcome is eventually achieved, it is set against the social machination! s of many other figures; the haughty Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the fatuous Mr. Collins; the younger Bennet daughter, Lydia; and her lover, Wickham, with whom she scandalously elopes. It is often pointed out that Austen's novels emphasize characterization and romanticism, but in ... is willing to. Often Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth serve to directly express the author's ironic opinion. When Mary Bennet is the only daughter at home and does not have to be c...

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... Bingley. Ultimately, Darcy is also discards' his prejudices and can admit to having been guilty of pride and conceit. His lesson of humility at the hands of Elizabeth, removes many of his pretensions and prejudices Setting Time Period The era in which Pride and Prejudice is set is during the Napoleonic Wars (1797-1815). It is important to note that those living in that ... to abuse love for social advancement). Symbols Pemberley Pride and Prejudice is free of obvious symbolism, because of the novel relies on dialogue over description. Pemberley, Darcy's estate, sits at the centre of the ...

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... time to refine impulsive thoughts to what he or she truly feels. Therefore letters are a more accurate representation of a person's thoughts. Throughout Pride and Prejudice, letters are used to offer insight into a character's true nature. Austen uses letters to present qualities in Mr. Collins by way of indirection. Her purpose is to build up prejudice in the reader, as a parallel to that of the ... annoying and foolish character, whom they have not even yet encountered in the novel. Austen uses this to warn her readers of the dangers of prejudice and their tendency to bigotry and discr...

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... to another. Darcy's first proposal of marriage to Elizabeth and his letter of explanation after Elizabeth has rejected his proposal underline the importance of shame in the book. Even as Darcy proposes, "his sense of her inferiority--of its being a degradation--of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination were dwelt on" Elizabeth's mother, in particular, is only the daughter of a smalltown attorney, a station in ... ever anxious to keep him to herself, and to those of her family with whom he might converse with mortification; and though the uncomfortable feeli...

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... in both texts are reinforced by each other. Is the film just another "modern" remake of a great novel? Perhaps not, lets have a closer look. Even though now Emma is considered a canonical text, during the time of first publication it would have been perceived the same way as Clueless (just another "teen flick"). The audience of both texts, to begin with were very minute, for ... Emma it would have been the upper middle class and the aristocrats, whereas Clueless would appeal to the female, western, teenage audience. The audience that have been enlightened by both ... It is Emma's indepe...

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... she was often inattentive, and occasionally stupid" (13). This purposely uses anti-heroic language to demonstrate how Catherine is not unlike the common young female of her time, contrary to female protagonists of gothic novels. Austen ironically uses a hyperbolic diction to show just how far Catherine Morland is from being extraordinary, as she explains ... exaggerating to the point of humor as she brings a lot of attention to such a mundane compliment given from a father to his daughter. The characterization of Catherine Morland serves to direct the form of the novel to garner a more re...

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