Godchaux 9
Donna Godchaux
Mr. Kirsten
AP Literature
May 20, 2013
Class, Love, and Pride and Prejudice
Thesis: In the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the author uses her protagonists to showcase the changing social structure of nineteenth century England and reveal love is not bound by social expectations.
I. Austen accomplishes this through:
A. Middle class interaction with gentry/aristocracy
B. Importance of marriage
C. Austen's belief that love is not bound by social expectations
II. Middle class vs. Gentry
A. Importance of manners and reputation
1. Elizabeth/Jane vs Mrs. Bennet/Lydia
2. Darcy vs Lady Catherine de Bourgh
B. Wealth earned by trade vs inherited wealth
1. Bingley and Mr. Gardiner
2. Darcy
III. Marriage
A. Importance of marriage
1. Safety
2. Economic Stability
B. Charlotte and Mr. Collins
1. Charlotte's view on marriage
2. A marriage of utility
C. Lydia and Wickahm
1. Circumstances
2. A marriage of pleasure
IV. Love and Social Expectations
A. Jane and Bingley
1. Bingley's wealth
2. Darcy's influence
B. Elizabeth and Darcy
1. First Impressions
2. Reevaluation
3. Lady Catherine de Bourgh
4. Eventual marriage and guests at Pemberly
V. Conclusion
A. Value of reputation
B. Austen's definition of love.
Susan Holder
Mr. Kirsten
AP Literature
May 21, 2013
Class, Love, and Pride and Prejudice
The start of the nineteenth century was the dawn of a new age. It was a time of ambition and the self-made man, as well as the home of strict societal expectations. The middle class of nineteenth century had begun to mingle with the gentry and lower aristocracy, beginning the end of England's traditional social ladder. In the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the author uses her protagonists to showcase the changing social structure of nineteenth century England and reveal her belief that real love is not bound by social expectations. Austen's portrayal of marriage as a failsafe and her comparisons between the manners of the upper and middle class pull into sharp relief the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
Even within social circles there are characters that act to a higher standard than others. After some time of acquaintance with Elizabeth 'Darcy is so impressed that he begins to discriminate between Elizabeth and her world' (McKeon et. al 11). This causes difficulty later in their relationship as Darcy fails to acknowledge Elizabeth's background and its production of at least one acceptable person. This discrimination arises from the aristocracy's view that those who have a background in trade are naturally more crass and improper. This opinion is not entirely unfounded and the less than flattering behavior and actions of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia leaves a level ground for Darcy's prejudice. Aside from the eldest Bennet daughters, the Bennet family does not have the most polished reputation. Mr. Bennet is a bit of a recluse and rarely ventures into town. Mrs. Bennet on the other hand is "a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. . . The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news" (Austen 4). Her youngest daughters follow after her in disposition, Lydia is loud and thoughtless and Kitty will do whatever Lydia deems appropriate. Mary takes after her father and is often described as bookish and fond of moralistic discourse. Another less than admirable character related to the Bennet family, is a cousin, Mr. Collins. He is a member of the clergy and a simpering toady to his patroness, the Lady Catherine de Bourgh. While visiting his relations he manages to offend Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet, as well as acting as a buffoon in front of many of the Bennet's neighbors at the Netherfield Ball.
Though the lower class is less than perfect, Pride and Prejudice's nobility have their share of flaws. Pride, arrogance, and obnoxious sense of superiority pervade their behavior. Sir William Lucas, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and even Mr. Darcy all behave in a generally unappealing manner for at least part of the novel. Initially Mr. Darcy is rude and supercilious. Lady Catherine is a member of the old social system and likes to have the distinction of rank preserved. Even the Bennet's neighbor, Sir William Lucas is affected by the distinction of rank.
Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the King during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly . . . he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance . . .(Austen 16)
Though Sir Lucas is not a member of an old aristocratic family he does his best to imitate the mannerisms and customs of nobility. His removal of his family from town and into Lucas Lodge is his attempt to create a family holding and replicate a sense of long standing importance.
The other notable aristocrat in the novel is the Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is very aware of her own importance, but is as meddlesome as the meanest of her subjects. "There are relatively few representatives of the aristocracy . . . but those that do appear to a large percentage do not simply fail to achieve heroic status but actually subvert the social order." (Monaghan et. al 3) In other forms of literature nobility is often cast as a savior, but Austen's aristocracy is more often shown to be fading relics of a past time. They are chained by old customs and mannerisms that are slowly relinquished. And only when absolutely necessary. The only exception to this is Mr. Darcy himself.
Initially, Darcy is given the low opinion of everyone in Meryton and is seen as a incurable snob. But he is later revealed to by shy and to suffer from many of the same flaws as Elizabeth. In this way he is a contrast to his aunt who, though high born, shows very low breeding and is only excused because of her rank and wealth. Her controlling nature and sheer pig-headedness drops her to a level on par with Mrs. Bennet.
Social change was not only based on the mingling of classes. Those with wealth earned by trade were becoming increasingly powerful, as Darcy and Bingley's friendship demonstrates. Though Bingley has inherited, his wealth was earned by labor and not from a long standing family estate. The fact that he purchased Netherfield is an example of his desire (similar to Sir Lucas's) to own a landed estate. However, unlike Sir Lucas, Bingley is aware that he will not be able to completely recreate the sense of long standing wealth that Mr. Darcy and Pemberly share.
Bingley is not the only man to have earned his wealth from trade. Elizabeth's uncle, Mr. Gardiner, lives within walking distance of his warehouses, and is still one of the most sensible and courteous characters in the entire novel. "The actions and wisdom of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner defy their class standing. They lack the breeding and education of elite members of British society, but they are both gracious and charitable, even in potentially difficult public places." (Kramp et. al 8) In the novel Darcy is impressed to finally meet some of Elizabeth's relations that are far beyond tolerable. They later become respected guests at Pemberly, defying the stereotype that all trades-folk are inherently lesser. "The rise of men like Bingley and Gardiner is a significant feature of the developing modern English nation, and their rise corresponds with a simultaneous decline in the cultural power and prestige of the aristocracy." (Kramp et. al 11)
Only one major theme of the novel has less to do with class. The need for a woman to marry to ensure her economic safety is the central plot device in Pride and Prejudice. ". . . women in Austen's day are all out to catch husbands, richer the better, and those of scant means have to look out for themselves or succumb to lives of ignominious dependancy." (Austen et. al 11) Mrs. Bennet's sole purpose in life is to get her daughters married and thus ensure their safety from poverty. She does very well with Jane and Elizabeth, and remains pleased at the patch job that is Lydia's marriage. Yet, she is not the only mother with a daughter to be married. Lady Lucas's daughter, Charlotte, and Elizabeth's close friend has a low view of men and a lower one of marriage. All Charlotte seeks from matrimony is security and economic safety. So, when Elizabeth's cousin asks her to be his wife she accepts.
Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly of either men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest perseverance from want. (Austen, 129)
Though Charlotte has gotten exactly what she wanted, her marriage is far from happy. Charlotte even admits that she has structured her day so she sees as little of her husband as possible.
The other notably unhappy couple in Pride and Prejudice is that of Lydia and Wickham. If Charlotte and Mr. Collins married for utility, Lydia and Wickham married for pleasure. Neither of these is the basis for a strong relationship. Lydia's scandalous elopement and subsequently patched up marriage nearly ruins the prospects of the rest of the Bennet daughters. When the new couple visits the Bennet household, "Lydia does not even seem to grasp how greatly she has risked her family's economic stability as well as its prestige and standing." (Garbitelli et. al 5) It soon becomes clear that Lydia is more enamored with her spouse than he is in her. Later it is revealed that this infatuation fades into indifference over time and Lydia and Wickham coexist on a level similar to the Collins.
While there are unhappy marriages in Pride and Prejudice there are, of course the two fairy tale romances. Jane and Bingley are the perfect couple straight out of a book of fables. Elizabeth and Darcy create a new version of romance that is idolized even today. Both pairs share two traits. Marriage in spite of outside circumstances, such as money and family, and a core friendship that brought both pairs together.
When Jane and Bingley meet there is an immediate attraction, while with Elizabeth and Darcy there is harsh collision of personalities. Darcy is unimpressed with the society in Meryton and offhandedly offends Elizabeth's pride. She immediately forms a negative impression and they spend most of Jane and Bingley's courtship at odds. However, this opposition soon becomes one sided as Darcy recognizes his growing attraction to Elizabeth.
"Prior to their first meeting Elizabeth and Darcy have both remained within very confined social limits and, as a result, neither realizes the ideal of duty and concern for others by which he lives as a mature member of his own class is shared by the other's class. (Monaghan et. al 12)" When Darcy is introduced to Elizabeth's aunt and uncle he becomes aware of the values of the middle class and Elizabeth learns of Darcy's true character. Both reevaluate the prejudices that have been ingrained into their social views and they realize the other's true value. They meet again as not quite friends, but both Elizabeth and Darcy have a shared understanding of what is good. In a way, Jane and Bingley started off as the ideal to which Elizabeth and Darcy later achieve. "Both parties want more from marriage than utility of pleasure. (Garbitelli et. al 6)" This separation of values from the Collins and the Wickhams is what makes these two couples happy, as well as iconic.
"The novel's social emphasis is so strong that the marriage into which Darcy and Elizabeth finally enter becomes symbolic of the eighteenth-century faith that, despite their different functions, each class shares the same ideal of duty and respect for others. (Monaghan et. al 6)" The marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy serves as major event in the changing social structure of England and advances Austen's definition of love. She believed that true love was based in friendship and romance, which can be interpreted as uniting reason and passion. This traditionally warring aspects of human nature coexist perfectly in Elizabeth and Darcy's love story, cementing their somewhat backwards courtship into a solid foundation for the impending social change of eighteenth-century England.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Mazzeno, Laurence W. "On Pride and Prejudice." Critical Insights: Pride and Prejudice. Salem Press: 2011. Web. p. 3-17.
Austen, Jane. Kramp, Michael. Mazzeno, Laurence W. "The Domesticated Conflict and Impending Social Change of Pride and Prejudice." Critical Insights: Pride and Prejudice. Salem Press: 2011. Web. p. 54-69.
Austen, Jane. Mazzeno, Laurence W. McKeon, Richard. "Pride and Prejudice: Thought, Character, Argument, and Plot." Critical Insights: Pride and Prejudice. Salem Press: 2011. Web. p. 130-152.
Austen, Jane. Mazzeno, Laurence W. Monaghan, David. "The Novel and Its Age: A Study of Theme and Structure in Pride and Prejudice." Critical Insights: Pride and Prejudice. Salem Press: 2011. Web. p.109-129.
Garbitelli, Mary Beth. Kries, Douglas. "Virtue and Romance: Allan Bloom on Jane Austen and Aristotelian Ethics." Modern Age: Winter 2012. Web. p. 25-36
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Thomas Egerton of London. 1813. Apple iBooks.