Kate Chopin and Jane Austen could easily be considered literary heroines of the 19th century. Both women often challenged conventional societal methods in their works, which inherently led these literary geniuses to write in complete secrecy. Chopin and Austen gave rise to characters such as Edna Pontellier in The Awakening and Elizabeth Bennett, the famous protagonist of Austen's short story Pride and Prejudice. Although noble in their respective ways, one can easily mistake Edna and Elizabeth for selfish creatures of society due to their ardent pursuit of happiness and love, and their disregard for 19th century societal constructs and family expectations . In similar aspects, Edna Pontellier and Elizabeth Bennett managed to challenge conventional 19th century methods of marriage and society. The Bible, considered one of the most sacred texts to man, contains not only the Ten Commandments, but also marriage. wishes. In these vows, couples promise to love, cherish and honor each other until death do them part. The irony of women accepting these vows in the 19th century is that they were considered property and often married to ensure a strong economic future for themselves and their families; love is never considered or questioned when a viable suitor presents himself to a woman. Often, these women do not cherish their husbands, and in the case of Edna Pontiellier, while seeking freedom from inherited societal expectations and patriarchal control; even honor them. Women are expected to be the keepers of the home, and this is often the time when they remain confined. They are the quintessential mother and wife and are not expected to defy what... middle of paper ...... is out of love and has overcome social expectations of womanhood par excellence in the 19th century; while their counterparts around them would have chosen class and wealth. Edna Pontellier's decision to settle down in her dovecote and walk away from her husband's reign and the arduous work of caring for her children was seen as societal suicide, but her liberation and fulfillment as a than woman were more important. Elizabeth Bennet ultimately ignored her mother's wishes and ignored Mr. Collins. She initially ignored Mr. Darcy as a possible suitor, but love proved otherwise. These women were on a path of destruction to free themselves from a long reign of oppression. Their challenge to conventional 19th century methods proved successful not only for them, but also for a future collective group of women who would follow in their footsteps..