In order to fully understand the meaning of a text, different approaches are used to analyze or interpret literature. When it comes to Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, a particularly appropriate approach is the topical/historical approach, as it emphasizes the relationship between the novel and its historical context. By understanding the world that Austen lived in, it is possible to better understand her novel and its characters. Most importantly, through the character of Elizabeth Bennet, Austen could both reveal her own feelings about her society and satirize the practices and beliefs of the upper classes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Although often considered a Victorian author, Jane Austen lived during the Romantic period, from 1775 to 1817. The times were turbulent. As Reidhead writes, "England experienced the test of change from a predominantly agricultural society, where wealth and power were concentrated in the landed aristocracy, to a modern industrial nation" (Reidhead 2). . This was the beginning of what was called the “two nations” – the division between the rich and the poor in England (Reidhead 4). In terms of social structure, the Industrial Revolution “witnessed the triumph of a middle class of industrialists and businessmen over a landed class of nobility and gentry” (Cashell). Different degrees of economic independence, social influence, and power created firm distinctions between classes. The gap between the upper and middle classes is particularly apparent in Pride and Prejudice between the Bingleys and the Bennets. Mr. Bingley is financially well off, having “inherited property amounting to nearly one hundred thousand pounds from his father…” (Austen 11). Like Mr. Bingley, those who were born rich generally remained so throughout their lives through inheritance. Additionally, individuals who belonged to the middle or lower classes tended to be reminded of their status by those who belonged to the upper classes. Mr. Bingley's sisters demonstrate this in their reaction to Elizabeth Bennet's appearance, as it "created much surprise." That she had to walk three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and alone, was almost unbelievable to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley..." (Austen 23). Elizabeth was less regarded because of her behavior." less than proper' Similarly, Elizabeth and her family also experience bad favor from Lady Catherine De Bourgh due to their social status and lack of wealth. Lady Catherine describes Elizabeth as "a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance." in the world” and “without family, connections or fortune” (Austen 231-232) By emphasizing the pretentiousness and snobbery of the nobility, even toward such nice families as the Bennets, Austen mocks the British upper classes. Her critique makes sense in the context of the times: aristocrats often believed that a powerful family, connections, and wealth were what made a person valuable. It is clear that Austen is depicting the harsh realities of the society in which she lived. she lived throughout the novel. As difficult as it was to be middle or lower class, being a woman in the 18th century had similar disadvantages. Women “received limited (or no) schooling, were subject to a rigid code of sexual behavior, and (especially after marriage) were deprived of legal rights” (Reidhead 5). Regarding women's education, the attitude was that their education "need not be of the same characterextensive, classic and commercial than that of men” (“Women’s Rights”). Lady Catherine De Bourgh shows this attitude when she questions Elizabeth about her lack of education and creative outlets: “Do your sisters play and sing?learn?—you all should have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father doesn't have as good an income as yours. Do you draw? . But I suppose you haven't had the chance..." (Austen 109). Lady Catherine only inquires about Elizabeth's talents for playing instruments, singing and drawing, not for intellectual education that a man is supposed to receive. Indeed, “professions, universities, politics were not open to women” (“Women’s Rights”). For the most part, “women had to…accept that their role in life involved child-rearing, housekeeping and nothing more” (Reidhead 5). Women were also not allowed to live alone. Women “depended on their male family members” to “secure their future in case their husbands treated them badly or if they did not marry at all” (“Women's Rights”). Lady Catherine supports this regulation because she states that “young women should always be properly kept and cared for, according to their station in life” (Austen 139). This also explains why “Miss Bingley [had] to live with her brother and her husband. keep her house...", because she was still single (Austen 11). To summarize, “women survived by being agreeable and charming if they belonged to the middle classes…” (Weldon 35). The most practical way for women to survive was to marry. Many women “were willing to marry simply because marriage was the only permitted path to financial security or to escape an unpleasant family situation” (“Women’s Rights”). This was certainly the case for Elizabeth's best friend, Charlotte Lucas. “Without having a great esteem either for men or for marriage, marriage had always been his object; it was the only honorable disposition for well-educated young women of small fortune...” (Austen 83). Charlotte finally gets what she wants when she accepts Mr. Collins' proposal. She tells Elizabeth: "I'm not a romantic, you know, never have been. I only want a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins' character, relationships, and station in life, I am convinced that my chances of happiness with him are just as fair, as most people can boast of entering the state of marriage” (Austen 85). treats marriage as a business arrangement rather than a loving decision Likewise, Mrs. Bennet makes it her "life's business to marry off her daughters" (Austen 4). that if she does not marry her daughters, they will not be taken care of after her death and that of her husband Far from being limited to fiction, her concerns have been echoed by other women across Great Britain. 18th-century Britain Despite the attitudes of many of her contemporaries, Jane Austen had a range of opinions on subjects like love and marriage, which she showed through the character of Elizabeth. . Like most other characters in the novel conform to the demands and expectations of society, Elizabeth refuses to treat her life as a business and follows the desires of her heart and not those of society. Above all, Elizabeth refuses a marriage proposal which would have been a very good decision to accept from an economic point of view. When speaking with Mr. Collins, Elizabeth explains that "my feelings forbid it in all respects" - because she is not in love with him, she ».>.