An entail was a legal device used to prevent a property from being broken up, from descending to a female line. Women were not allowed to inherit their father's land because of this law. (www.encarta.com) Austen satirizes this through her use of the pompous, foolish Mr. Collins. The fact that Mr. Collins, a man who is barely acquainted to the Bennets, can actually take ownership of their land is difficult to comprehend. Austen purposely creates a character that does not deserve the Longbourn estate, to take ownership once Mr. Bennet is deceased. She shows how women were powerless to fight against these unfair practices even when it directly affects their family. It is an unwarranted law, which many women were forced to accept. Mrs. Bennet shows her frustration when she says, "I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your children-(Austen, 46). Her aggravation is one in which many women during that time were feeling. .
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 Lucas was 27, and her relatives were relieved that Charlotte was not dying an old maid. Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Collins not only for financial stability but also because she was getting old and wanted to move out from her parent's home. This once again puts focus on the factor of marriage. Marriage is now not only utilitarian, but now a means of escaping parental control.
