In light of this, David Herbert's assertion that Austen studies "personal values, virtues and deficiencies within her 'set,'" but neglects to "question the social orders, major issues of class, privilege, property or poverty" can be contested.3 .
Austen shows a profound understanding of human nature through her novels, highlighting the significance of female independence and 'real' heroines, and advocating the prospect of equality between sexes. Through the unorthodox decisions that Elizabeth makes as a real heroine, Austen emphasises the importance of choice and asserts its role as a fundamental human right. These ideas were atypical in Regency England, and her emphasis of them helped to pave the way for a more liberal view of women in society. Austen's treatment of these concepts has unarguably contributed to the resonance of her novels in modern society. Examining the popularity of Pride and Prejudice today, it is clear that the ideas Austen raised then are, though found in different contexts, still greatly relevant to the modern world. .
The opening lines of Pride and Prejudice emphasise the central expectation for women in Regency England – marriage. "It is a truth universally acknowledged," the narrator informs the reader, "that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (5). This comment raises issues of both security and choice, as the 'wants' of women are ignored in favour of men. In a patriarchal society where middle and upper class women did not typically work, remaining unmarried was dangerous. While an unmarried man may be unhappy, he could easily survive financially. An unmarried woman without a substantial amount of savings to rely on upon her father's death, however, risked falling into poverty. While belonging to the gentry, it is suggested that the Bennets have little or no savings, and furthermore, the family estate, Longbourn, does not make a significant amount of money.
