Post by Monday on Oct 13, 2008 16:51:52 GMT -5
Senior Project Research Paper
Though it is a certain fact that every society in history has had some form of class structure, no other time period had one as subtly harsh as England in the early 1800’s. Lives were made and broken under the rules of the upper-class. Depending on their status in society at the time of their birth, a person’s life could be pleasant and easy-going or full of hardship and destitution. The laws of society cared not for what kind of person they were or how they lead their lives, but what kind of people they associated themselves with and how much money they carried in their pockets. The delicate way the English carried about these acts makes it difficult for most to realize the terrible reality of what people, especially women, faced in this time period.
This social code not only dictated how people interacted on a day to day basis but also played a huge role in the entire process of courtship (Nineteenth-Century). From how couples greeted each other (a slight bow form men and a curtsy from women) to how they addressed one another (never on a first name basis, unless associated by family or, perhaps, an engagement), relationships had to fallow a strict guideline before they were deemed worthy of the word acceptable (Novels). Finding a suitable partner for marriage for those in the upper-class in England was more of a process, rather then a romance (Masterpieces). The parents were highly involved in these social contracts, and were far more concerned with the bachelor/ bachelorette’s position in society and the amount of wealthy they had (Masterpieces). Love was rarely ever associated in these transactions, especially when concerning a woman’s feelings on the matter (Masterpieces). Marriage was a business in which the whole family dealt in, and it very rarely ended in the happiness of both parties involved (Masterpieces).
In both Jane Austen’s works, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, class hierarchy and wealth were much more important then love in a marriage to English society in the 19th century.
Class structures were far more important to the well being of women then they were to men (Harman). Women, especially those that were considered plain and had but a small fortune, were all but cursed in these circumstances (Harman). Often times, they had to settle for the best they could get and be happy that it wasn’t any worse (Harman). As Harman points out in her literary criticism, Elizabeth Bennet’s companion in Pride and Prejudice, Miss Lucas, is a prime example of this.
“Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas represents the woman condemned to make the best of it. She accepts Collins only three day after he has been rejected by Elizabeth (Harman)”.
Charlotte takes what she can get, even if all that is available is the odious Mr. Collins (Harman). She settles for a loveless marriage to a dimwitted man, incapable of making her happy or showing her true affection (Harman). Yet, considering the circumstances she is under, it not all together surprising that she considers it all worth it in her eyes, as it was with many women at the time (Nineteenth-Century). She trades the potential of happiness in marriage for a class advantage and peace of mind for her parents (Harman). Though she was only twenty-seven years of age, she was basically seen as an old maid (Pride). Mr. Collins’s offer to her could very well be the first and only one that she would ever receive (Pride). Her choices were to marry a man she detested or put herself and her family in harms way (Pride).
Those who chose not to comply with the laws of society were not only seen as dimwitted and foolish, but they could quite possibly go through the loss of their home and situation as well (Lauber). An “old maid”, or a woman left unmarried, was often seen as one of the lowest individuals in society by not fulfilling her duty as a woman, i.e. getting married (Harman). They were left to live off of the generosity of others and to become a disgrace to everyone associated with them (Harman).
“In Austen’s world, a world of harsh realities for women of the Bennet class, whether that single man is good or not is of secondary importance. Elizabeth is just able to make an independent choice, although by doing so she antagonizes her parents more than if she had actually disgraced them, as her sister Lydia does by eloping with Wickham (Harman)”.
Pride and Prejudice presents a unique character in Elizabeth Bennet. She goes against her society’s normal standards and refuses not one, but two perfectly reasonable (at least as far as good society is concerned) marriage proposals. Though some would call it unwise (Mrs. Bennet) it is obviously the choice that many young women would want to make without the courage to follow through. This courage and strong spirit is what makes Miss Bennet one of the most admired of all Austen’s characters. Elizabeth is amiable to all in their right mind; however, the reality of her choices could end in disaster for not just her but for her family as well (Harman). It could very easily be conceived that Lizzie could end up as an old maid, a fate worse then conceiving some feather headed idea of elopement as her sister Lydia had (Harman).
Edward Ferrars, from Sense and Sensibility, looks right in the eyes of a similar fate, before narrowly avoiding it (Lauber).
“On discovering that her oldest son, Edward, has foolishly engaged himself to Lucy Steele, a fortune hunter, she [Mrs. Ferrars] is capable not only of disinheriting him but of declaring that if he should enter any profession in order to support himself, she would do everything in her power to prevent him from succeeding (Lauber)".
Mrs. Ferrars proves to be the antithesis of Edward in all that is good and honorable, similar to the relationship between Mr. Darcy and his aunt, Lady Catherine, in Pride and Prejudice (Lauber). In fact, she might be considered more evil then Lady Catherine as she not only berates the woman her son is to marry, but mistreats her own flesh and blood in the process (Lauber). While Edward feels that he is bound by his honor to fulfill his promises to marry a woman who doesn’t necessarily show any great apathy for, his mother shares no such principle (Sense 235-236). When she finds that her son is to marry a woman of a substantially lower class, she not only tells him that he is not to marry her, but goes so far as to take away his inheritance, ruin his credibility in business, and even pretend as if he is not her son at all (Sense 235-236). She is a woman who believes so much in the rules of society she is willing to destroy her eldest son for their sake alone (Lauber).
Even for those that find themselves genuinely in love, the ideas of these social guidelines can hinder, if not completely damage, the prospect of their marriage (Masterpieces). When one is brought up in a society were they are faced with the simple fact that this is the way things are, take it or leave it, it can be difficult to change that mind set (Masterpieces). This is specifically true when it comes to Willoughby’s rejection of Marianne in Sense and Sensibility.
"The importance that many families place on the wealth of a potential partner is a significant theme that runs throughout the book, playing a major part in the characters' conversations and preoccupations. Willoughby cannot consider Marianne as a spouse because she is not wealthy enough (Novels)”.
An interesting part of this novel, as well as others, is how certain characters live with the laws that society lays before them in different ways (Novels). They can have a respectful, but not necessarily agreeing outlook on them, as Elinor does, or, like Fanny Dashwood, they could have such a high reverence that they would try to fit every situation into its small parameters (Novels). And then again, they might have total contempt for them, and not even consider the social standards when going about their daily lives, as Marianne does (Novels).
However, this idea does not play out so well for Marianne. When she carelessly flaunts her growing affection for Willoughby she is vicariously inviting in disaster (Novels). She soon learns that affection is not necessarily congruent with marriage, and therefore suffers a deep blow when she realizes that Willoughby has forsaken her for a woman of greater wealth. Her lack of fortune and social standing made it impossible for them to wed, no matter how great their fondness for each other may have been (Novels).
“Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? - To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own? (Pride 167-168)”
Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth is a prime example of how class can affect a relationship, even under the best of circumstances (Masterpieces). Darcy is quick to explain to Elizabeth that he forgives her "inferiority", and is willing to overlook it when they wed (Masterpieces). Though Darcy might have meant well, the majority of his failed proposal to Elizabeth was more of an insult then a declaration of love. His views on society were not so strong as to have him deny his true feelings for Elizabeth, but still, the conflict has the potential to forever remain between them (Masterpieces). His pride, in fact, is one of the many reasons Elizabeth refused him in the first place. Even for those guided by love, class is a burden on their shoulders (Masterpieces).
Still, those who did as they have always been told and followed the bidding of their parents were not without heart break themselves (Nineteenth-Century). Though these “rules” might have been put in place to serve a purpose, however, wrong that purpose might be, the end result was a whole lot of heartbreak for many innocent people (Nineteenth-Century).
Mr. Bingley, in Pride and Prejudice, almost ruins his chances with the woman he loves when he follows his sisters’ and friend’s misguided attempts at swaying him away from any affection toward Jane.
"Jane's romance with Bingley flourished quietly, aided by family calls, dinners, and balls. His sisters pretended great fondness for Jane, who believed them completely sincere. Elizabeth was more critical and discerning; she suspected them of hypocrisy, and quite rightly, for they made great fun of Jane's relations, especially her vulgar, garrulous mother and her two ill-bred, officer-mad younger sisters. Miss Caroline Bingley, who was eager to marry Darcy and shrewdly aware of his growing admiration for Elizabeth, was especially loud in her ridicule of the Bennet family (Masterpieces)".
It was quite clear to all (excluding Darcy) that Jane and Bingley showed a growing affection for each other that might have not been love yet, but was very near to that (Masterpieces). However, because of her lower class, among other things, Bingley's close friends and family made it a point to manipulate him and effectively end their relationship (Masterpieces).
Though it is a certain fact that every society in history has had some form of class structure, no other time period had one as subtly harsh as England in the early 1800’s. Lives were made and broken under the rules of the upper-class. Depending on their status in society at the time of their birth, a person’s life could be pleasant and easy-going or full of hardship and destitution. The laws of society cared not for what kind of person they were or how they lead their lives, but what kind of people they associated themselves with and how much money they carried in their pockets. The delicate way the English carried about these acts makes it difficult for most to realize the terrible reality of what people, especially women, faced in this time period.
This social code not only dictated how people interacted on a day to day basis but also played a huge role in the entire process of courtship (Nineteenth-Century). From how couples greeted each other (a slight bow form men and a curtsy from women) to how they addressed one another (never on a first name basis, unless associated by family or, perhaps, an engagement), relationships had to fallow a strict guideline before they were deemed worthy of the word acceptable (Novels). Finding a suitable partner for marriage for those in the upper-class in England was more of a process, rather then a romance (Masterpieces). The parents were highly involved in these social contracts, and were far more concerned with the bachelor/ bachelorette’s position in society and the amount of wealthy they had (Masterpieces). Love was rarely ever associated in these transactions, especially when concerning a woman’s feelings on the matter (Masterpieces). Marriage was a business in which the whole family dealt in, and it very rarely ended in the happiness of both parties involved (Masterpieces).
In both Jane Austen’s works, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, class hierarchy and wealth were much more important then love in a marriage to English society in the 19th century.
Class structures were far more important to the well being of women then they were to men (Harman). Women, especially those that were considered plain and had but a small fortune, were all but cursed in these circumstances (Harman). Often times, they had to settle for the best they could get and be happy that it wasn’t any worse (Harman). As Harman points out in her literary criticism, Elizabeth Bennet’s companion in Pride and Prejudice, Miss Lucas, is a prime example of this.
“Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas represents the woman condemned to make the best of it. She accepts Collins only three day after he has been rejected by Elizabeth (Harman)”.
Charlotte takes what she can get, even if all that is available is the odious Mr. Collins (Harman). She settles for a loveless marriage to a dimwitted man, incapable of making her happy or showing her true affection (Harman). Yet, considering the circumstances she is under, it not all together surprising that she considers it all worth it in her eyes, as it was with many women at the time (Nineteenth-Century). She trades the potential of happiness in marriage for a class advantage and peace of mind for her parents (Harman). Though she was only twenty-seven years of age, she was basically seen as an old maid (Pride). Mr. Collins’s offer to her could very well be the first and only one that she would ever receive (Pride). Her choices were to marry a man she detested or put herself and her family in harms way (Pride).
Those who chose not to comply with the laws of society were not only seen as dimwitted and foolish, but they could quite possibly go through the loss of their home and situation as well (Lauber). An “old maid”, or a woman left unmarried, was often seen as one of the lowest individuals in society by not fulfilling her duty as a woman, i.e. getting married (Harman). They were left to live off of the generosity of others and to become a disgrace to everyone associated with them (Harman).
“In Austen’s world, a world of harsh realities for women of the Bennet class, whether that single man is good or not is of secondary importance. Elizabeth is just able to make an independent choice, although by doing so she antagonizes her parents more than if she had actually disgraced them, as her sister Lydia does by eloping with Wickham (Harman)”.
Pride and Prejudice presents a unique character in Elizabeth Bennet. She goes against her society’s normal standards and refuses not one, but two perfectly reasonable (at least as far as good society is concerned) marriage proposals. Though some would call it unwise (Mrs. Bennet) it is obviously the choice that many young women would want to make without the courage to follow through. This courage and strong spirit is what makes Miss Bennet one of the most admired of all Austen’s characters. Elizabeth is amiable to all in their right mind; however, the reality of her choices could end in disaster for not just her but for her family as well (Harman). It could very easily be conceived that Lizzie could end up as an old maid, a fate worse then conceiving some feather headed idea of elopement as her sister Lydia had (Harman).
Edward Ferrars, from Sense and Sensibility, looks right in the eyes of a similar fate, before narrowly avoiding it (Lauber).
“On discovering that her oldest son, Edward, has foolishly engaged himself to Lucy Steele, a fortune hunter, she [Mrs. Ferrars] is capable not only of disinheriting him but of declaring that if he should enter any profession in order to support himself, she would do everything in her power to prevent him from succeeding (Lauber)".
Mrs. Ferrars proves to be the antithesis of Edward in all that is good and honorable, similar to the relationship between Mr. Darcy and his aunt, Lady Catherine, in Pride and Prejudice (Lauber). In fact, she might be considered more evil then Lady Catherine as she not only berates the woman her son is to marry, but mistreats her own flesh and blood in the process (Lauber). While Edward feels that he is bound by his honor to fulfill his promises to marry a woman who doesn’t necessarily show any great apathy for, his mother shares no such principle (Sense 235-236). When she finds that her son is to marry a woman of a substantially lower class, she not only tells him that he is not to marry her, but goes so far as to take away his inheritance, ruin his credibility in business, and even pretend as if he is not her son at all (Sense 235-236). She is a woman who believes so much in the rules of society she is willing to destroy her eldest son for their sake alone (Lauber).
Even for those that find themselves genuinely in love, the ideas of these social guidelines can hinder, if not completely damage, the prospect of their marriage (Masterpieces). When one is brought up in a society were they are faced with the simple fact that this is the way things are, take it or leave it, it can be difficult to change that mind set (Masterpieces). This is specifically true when it comes to Willoughby’s rejection of Marianne in Sense and Sensibility.
"The importance that many families place on the wealth of a potential partner is a significant theme that runs throughout the book, playing a major part in the characters' conversations and preoccupations. Willoughby cannot consider Marianne as a spouse because she is not wealthy enough (Novels)”.
An interesting part of this novel, as well as others, is how certain characters live with the laws that society lays before them in different ways (Novels). They can have a respectful, but not necessarily agreeing outlook on them, as Elinor does, or, like Fanny Dashwood, they could have such a high reverence that they would try to fit every situation into its small parameters (Novels). And then again, they might have total contempt for them, and not even consider the social standards when going about their daily lives, as Marianne does (Novels).
However, this idea does not play out so well for Marianne. When she carelessly flaunts her growing affection for Willoughby she is vicariously inviting in disaster (Novels). She soon learns that affection is not necessarily congruent with marriage, and therefore suffers a deep blow when she realizes that Willoughby has forsaken her for a woman of greater wealth. Her lack of fortune and social standing made it impossible for them to wed, no matter how great their fondness for each other may have been (Novels).
“Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? - To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own? (Pride 167-168)”
Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth is a prime example of how class can affect a relationship, even under the best of circumstances (Masterpieces). Darcy is quick to explain to Elizabeth that he forgives her "inferiority", and is willing to overlook it when they wed (Masterpieces). Though Darcy might have meant well, the majority of his failed proposal to Elizabeth was more of an insult then a declaration of love. His views on society were not so strong as to have him deny his true feelings for Elizabeth, but still, the conflict has the potential to forever remain between them (Masterpieces). His pride, in fact, is one of the many reasons Elizabeth refused him in the first place. Even for those guided by love, class is a burden on their shoulders (Masterpieces).
Still, those who did as they have always been told and followed the bidding of their parents were not without heart break themselves (Nineteenth-Century). Though these “rules” might have been put in place to serve a purpose, however, wrong that purpose might be, the end result was a whole lot of heartbreak for many innocent people (Nineteenth-Century).
Mr. Bingley, in Pride and Prejudice, almost ruins his chances with the woman he loves when he follows his sisters’ and friend’s misguided attempts at swaying him away from any affection toward Jane.
"Jane's romance with Bingley flourished quietly, aided by family calls, dinners, and balls. His sisters pretended great fondness for Jane, who believed them completely sincere. Elizabeth was more critical and discerning; she suspected them of hypocrisy, and quite rightly, for they made great fun of Jane's relations, especially her vulgar, garrulous mother and her two ill-bred, officer-mad younger sisters. Miss Caroline Bingley, who was eager to marry Darcy and shrewdly aware of his growing admiration for Elizabeth, was especially loud in her ridicule of the Bennet family (Masterpieces)".
It was quite clear to all (excluding Darcy) that Jane and Bingley showed a growing affection for each other that might have not been love yet, but was very near to that (Masterpieces). However, because of her lower class, among other things, Bingley's close friends and family made it a point to manipulate him and effectively end their relationship (Masterpieces).