1. Unorthodox Heroines and Jane Austen
"A woman," Caroline Bingley of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice affirms, "must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages."1 Her comment demonstrates the rigid view that members of the upper class had regarding the requirements a woman needed to be called "accomplished" (38). As well as these skills, a woman must possess a natural grace and flawless manner "to deserve the word" (39). Elizabeth Bennet's reply of "I never saw such a woman" highlights Austen's concern with the notion of t...
- Word Count: 5516
- Approx Pages: 22
- Has Bibliography
- Grade Level: Undergraduate