Jane Austen uses satire to reveal the plight of women during the nineteenth century in her novel, Pride and Prejudice. Her candid attacks on English country life directly correlates with her belief on the status of women. She scrutinizes the difficulties that women during this time period were forced to face. The different situations that occur throughout the novel can be seen through her use of irony, derision, and wit. The integration of these literary elements clearly shows the reader the point she is trying to make. Austen focuses her satire on the expectations society had on women, the lack of rights of women, and the general disrespect for women. .
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 marriage. Marriage was for financial stability and profitable gain (Best, 25). Elizabeth's views of marrying on the basis of love and happiness was considered radical and unrealistic. Mr. Collins remarks towards Elizabeth supports the realization of what marriage entailed. He comments that Elizabeth's "portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of her loveliness and amiable qualifications-(Austen, 67). Love is not considered when marriage is proposed. It is a harsh reality in today's society; however, it was commonplace to the women living during that time period. .
The English country life left no room for women to thrive and succeed. In England, women were powerless with the law of entail.
