Jane Bennett

     I wanted to look at Jane’s character in Pride and Prejudice. She is probably the most like Elizabeth, but in a different way. Jane is the proper one who is better looking than Elizabeth. In the beginning of the novel Darsy points out that Jane, “smiles too much (ch.4 p.22),” which is a good description of the character Jane. Jane can naturally relate to everyone she meets because she tries to always do what’s right or proper. People she comes in contact with enjoy her beauty and give in to their temptations around her. Jane knows this and does what she has to do to get by. Jane and Mr. Bingley are the likely candidates to wed because Mr. Bingley is the overly nice friend of Darcy’s. The characters all contrast each other perfectly. Jane and Mr. Bingley portray the perfect relationship, which can last, but it won’t be as exciting as Darcy and Elizabeth’s. Jane has the idea in her mind that a man should be, “sensible, good-humored, lively, and well mannered (ch.4 pg. 18).” These characters make for good background characters but not worthy characters for a book because it would be boring.

    Jane gets sick from riding in the rain and has to stay at Netherfield, which is a good tactic to get the two groups of people together. Also, knowing Jane is sick and tired makes for a melancholy atmosphere and reinstates her serious character. Jane is a self-sacrificing person as well, for instance when Elizabeth and Jane are talking about Mr. Bingley not liking her anymore. Jane blames herself and Elizabeth responds, “You are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserve (ch.24 pg. 204).” Jane is also willing to give people the benefit of the doubt by not condemning Darcy. “What a stroke was this for poor Jane! Who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, as was here collected in one individual (ch.40 pg. 340).” This character is pretty much perfect, and is destroyed by being so.

Jane Austen: Early Feminist?

I find 'feminist' to be a tricky label. It seems that, especially in today's society, feminism is an ever morphing term that's actual goal seems to get lost among the insanity of what the media machine is. What I've learned is that a feminist is an individual who advocates for the rights of all women, so that they may have the same rights as men- we are equal. However that message seems to get mixed up with the idea that feminists believe that women are actually superior to men, that we somehow dwarf them. For those who deem Beyonce a feminist, that certainly seems to be her message with songs like "Girls Run the World" and is also a far cry from the commentary Jane Austen makes in Pride and Prejudice. She is certainly observant of the realities of her world during her time, however in Pride and Prejudice it seems that Austen's goal is to criticize the system she and the women of her time have been forced to live in, but not necessarily advocate change from it. The character of main focus, Elizabeth, is certainly a progressive woman of her time. She questions the rules that have been written, and refuses to comply simply because it's what is expected of her. This is demonstrated when she refuses Mr. Collins' proposal. Refusing a proposal when one’s family is in a dire situation was unheard of then, and Elizabeth sets herself far apart from the rest in doing so. However as different as that may have been Elizabeth still becomes Mrs. Darcy, Jane is Mrs. Bingley, Lydia is Mrs. Wickham, and Charlotte is Mrs. Collins.  If Elizabeth had chosen to be her own woman, rather than spending her life with a man just as other people desired (let’s set love aside for a moment) then I would advocate this is a novel with feminist intentions. But Austen did not write that novel. She had Lizzy marry Darcy, and we’re to suppose they lived happily ever after. Austen’s novel was a progressive work for her time, however I do not see the work of an early feminist.  

Jane Austen: Proto-feminist or not so much?

     This is a difficult question to answer. While many of her ideas seem to be progressive, I don't believe she advocates for change. Also, it seems that for every character going against the societal norm, there is a character embracing it. For example, Mrs. Bennet is driven mad in trying to marry one of her daughters while Elizabeth simply does not want to marry for money. On the other hand, we have Lydia, a young, naive girl who flirts and chases soldiers, in stark contrast to her sister Jane, who seems happy to take on the duty-because that's what it is made to be-of marrying. In my opinion, she seems to be critiquing women, and not necessarily the society that they live in. The book begins by explaining that a man with money must absolutely want a wife, though the events of the novel prove that it is quite the opposite. Women spend their lives trying to find a man with a good fortune. Marriage has become an economic act, rather than one of love. Marriage and class are inextricably related in this novel. A woman must marry an upper-class man in order to be well-off, as opportunities for women were scarce. Also, men are expected to marry within their class, as Darcy so nicely puts to Elizabeth during the first proposal scene. Elizabeth's ideas are certainly progressive. She passes up on marriage to a wealthy man, not once in Mr. Collins, but also to Darcy. Absolutely unheard of, right? Though Elizabeth eventually does marry Darcy, it is obviously for love, rather than money. I do not think the movies really address this idea of a feminist main character. I agree with another poster that the best depiction of this would most likely be Bridget Jones, who, after a breakup with Darcy, becomes independent and focused on herself. I believe it was probably easier to take this liberty with a modern version, because it's not only more acceptable, but possibly more believable for a woman to act in such a way in today's society.
     While reading an article about Austen, an essayist brought up the fact that women who go out of society's norms in Austen's novels are typically punished. Example being Lydia Bennet, who is forced to marry "a rogue" as she called him. I thought this was an interesting point that I hadn't thought of.

As for Austen herself, she never married...so maybe she was an early protofeminist herself, but as for Lizzie Bennet, I don't think so.
While many hail Austen and pride her on her feminist writings, many others totally disagree. Maybe we'll never reach a unified answer.

Lydia's influence on the reader

                All of the Bennet sisters contribute different personalities to the novel.  Jane is the beautiful one who always seems to do the right thing.  She is a clear favorite of her mother.  Elizabeth is the witty one who has courage and always stands her ground.  Mr. Bennet favors Elizabeth and claims that she is the only daughter of his who is not simply a silly girl.  Mary Bennet is the middle child who loves to read books and is a little more obscure than the rest of the sisters.  Catherine Bennet is girly and is very silly, as Mr. Bennet puts it.  All of these sisters appear to be predictable roles that you may find in a family.  However, Jane Austin also introduces us with a fifth sister, Lydia Bennet.  Lydia acts as the wild child in this novel.  The impulsiveness and lustful desires of Lydia's character provides Pride and Prejudice with a sexy spin that may cause people to believe that there is more to this novel than romantic fluff.  Although in our culture running off with an army man without being married does not seem so scandalous, in the 19th century this could have ruined the Bennet family's reputation.  This scandalous character may be used by Jane Austin to allow her audience to fall out of love with the Bennet family and fall in love with the idea of Darcy and Elizabeth living happily ever after.  Darcy was never fond of Elizabeth's family despite his passionate love for her, and this appalled Elizabeth.  I believe that after Darcy's first proposal, the reader is meant to sympathize with Elizabeth.  However, after the second proposal, the reader is rooting for Darcy.  Perhaps Darcy's initial assumptions of the Bennets came off as shallow and unmerited,  but Lydia's actions proved his point well.  Not only did this prove his point, but Darcy also made an effort to end this and rescue Lydia from the dreadful Mr. Wickham despite his clear disproval of their family.  This conflict is used to win the reader over to Darcy's heroism and wisdom.  After Lydia's key role in making Darcy seem so appealing, the audience then is compelled to root for Darcy and Elizabeth to marry in order to restore the name of the Bennet family and fulfill the love story.   

The Portrayal of Women in Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

            I strongly feel as if the story of Pride and Prejudice is a strong representation of women in this period of time and can even extend to the modern day in some aspects. It gives many different types of women in one story line. A woman who gives up everything to be with a man and is even willing to disgrace her family because of it. This girl is obviously Lydia who ran away to marry a man whom is known by the reader as sort of a bad person. Lydia’s love for the soldiers shows how different she is than most women in this period and even in that sort of family class because she is willing to break the norm to marry a man. We get a woman, Jane, who is thought of as the prettiest and most likely to get married in their family. She is ready and willing to accept Bingley’s proposal of marriage. Jane is the most normal of women for this period and this needed to be shown to compare to her other sisters. Then we get Elizabeth who is seems to be the strongest and most independent of the women. She turns down Darcy’s marriage proposal because she sees him as somewhat of a jerk for getting Bingley away from her sister. Elizabeth is very outspoken and has a better idea of who she is as a woman. She wouldn’t rush into something unless it is completely true to herself. Even though she seems more independent, she still falls for Darcy and marries him like other women in this time would. I feel like Jane Austen’s portrayal of women is a bit slanted towards individuality in women but still pushes for the fact regarding women as sort of the same. Women in this time were pushed to marriage as their only option in life. It’s something they sort of have to do depending of their situation. The story ends with the sisters marrying away like any woman was thought to do in this period of time. I feel as if the story of Bridget Jones gives a great representation of Elizabeth in the modern day. She is a woman who is strong and desires to be successful yet still wants to find the man of her dreams. She falls head over heals for Darcy and, and after finding out that he may not be the man she thought he was, goes on to make something for herself job wise and even in enhancing her physical and mental self through fitness and work. This version really shows Elizabeth as someone who wants to be accomplished and ends up doing it. She acquires a name for herself. I feel as if this portrayal of Pride and Prejudice is the best in regards to feminism and pushes for women to be their own individuals and a life outside of marriage. Austen’s portrayal of women doesn’t really argue to change the system.” It begins with the same old idea of marriage as a necessity and something all woman really have to do and even simply want to do, then we get Elizabeth and we see a strong individual woman whom gives up chooses against someone’s proposal because of respect for her sister and even for herself, but then ultimately, Elizabeth ends up falling in love and marrying like any other woman in this period of time. I feel like if the story ended with a woman who completely does something unladylike in this time period such as not getting married at all to Darcy, that would be a stance against marriage and the story would be more of a push to change the system. The world would then see that women could sort of be okay without marriage. The story of Pride and Prejudice, even though it does follow the normal path of women in this period, it does argue against marriage for reasons other than love. All the interpretations since have really accentuated this belief with Bridgett Jones, I believe, as the most poignant example.

Marriage: The Ultimate Goal in the 19th Century

     One thing that I admire about Jane Austen is the fact that she saw humor in the fact that just about every girl in her time wanted to do one thing: get married. Don't get me wrong, marriage is an amazingly wonderful thing (when approached in the right way), but make a girl believe that that is the one thing that she needs to do in her life, and it becomes toxic. Let's take, for example, Lydia Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. At one point Elizabeth in the novel describes her as, "the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite". Aided by her mother's unending and constant pressure to get married, Lydia loses all self respect for herself to be in some sort of union with a man because that is the ending goal that her mother has always pushed upon her. 

     However, I find it quite ridiculous that this way the way that women were expected to live. Marry, or become a poor "no one". Have children, busy yourself all day with learning to sing/dance/play instruments, and keep your man happy. That's what was expected of you. When rationalizing agreeing to marry Mr. Collins, Charlotte thinks, "Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it". Even in both versions of the movies, there was a constant need to be hitched. It's quite ridiculous, and I am so proud to say now that women have made something of themselves. Not only are they STILL great mothers and housewives, but many have combined that with being CEO's of big companies, police officers, soldiers, government leaders, etc. It's great to read novels like this and really see how far women have come. I believe Jane Austen would be proud. 

Lydia's Problem...

*Lydia Bennet: she is the wild card in the story and in the Bennet family. What, exactly, is her flaw? Do you think she serves as a warning of some sort? What would that be? Is it fair to see her as such? What, really, distinguishes her from Elizabeth? How do the movies treat her? How do the values associated with her differ or parallel our societal norms today?  

            Lydia’s character reminds me of the time when I played a game with my competitive little brother. He doesn’t quite understand the objective on the game, but he always insists that he’s the winner no matter what. I remember one time, we played golf together and he insisted on going first, and then raced ahead hitting his ball, what seemed like a hundred times, till he finally got it in the hole. He declared himself the winner because his ball reached the hole first. My brother is adorable, but he’s no golf player.

            This is exactly how I view Lydia getting married first. She thinks that she is doing her family a great service, and that by getting married first she is the best daughter. Her biggest flaw is that she is so naïve that she doesn’t seem to comprehend the shame that she almost brought onto her family had it not been for Mr. Darcy intervening on the matter. Let’s not forget the fact that marrying Wickham wouldn’t have saved her mother and sisters from living on the street anyway because he has no substantial wealth to support them. Not to mention he is looking for a fortune himself.

            I don’t really see her as serving as a warning, rather I see her as a victim of circumstance. The biggest difference between her and Elizabeth is their age. She is only fifth-teen. That being said she is going to do dumb things, I know I got into a lot of trouble at that age. When a fifth-teen year old does something wrong today, it is more of a reflection of the parents. I believe this to still be the case in this circumstance. Would Lydia have wanted to get married so bad if her mother wasn’t constantly priming her for marriage? It’s hard to say, but it certainly didn’t help matters. There is a reason that we don’t let or encourage fifth-teen year old girls to get married today, and that’s because they are not mature enough to make that decision.

            I decided to look at some of the Lydia Bennet Diaries on YouTube. I have to say, the girl does seem to portray an accurate depiction of a modern Lydia. She is narcissistic, raves about hot guys, and makes dumb decisions. In the episode below, she rents out the attic to a random stranger to help make money to support her family. While completely looking over the dangers she is putting her family in by doing so. I would definitely expect Lydia, out of all the sisters, to have a journal broadcast on YouTube. I would also expect her to have Facebook with a thousand pictures of herself, along with a thousand friends that she doesn’t even know.

           

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Mrs. Bennet

In the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, I had a huge problem with Mrs. Bennet. She demanded attention to be on her and her five daughters. She did not care how people looked at her; she was going to get her five daughters married no matter what. With her tiresome efforts to find suitable husbands for Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, it backfires on her and her daughters. When Darcy saw the way Mrs. Bennet acted, he wanted nothing to do with her or her daughters. Which then led to the departure of Mr. Bingley. While reading the novel, I really had to think about why she acted the way she did. Even though she went to the extreme, she was trying to make sure her daughters have a secure future. With the threat of Mr. Bennet passing away and their home being taken from them, Mrs. Bennet knew that if the daughters were married they would have a place to live and would not be on the streets. As I continued to read, I sympathized with her more and more. This is not the case in the 1940 and 2005 movie versions of Pride and Prejudice. In both versions, it was comical to watch, as Mrs. Bennet would fan her self and fainting quoting “Do you have no consideration for my poor nerves?” While watching the movies, I got caught up in her actions and words and the dislike for Mrs. Bennet returned. In the 2005 version, the scene where Mrs. Bennet sends Jane to the Bingley estate in the rain is a perfect example of how she will stop at nothing. By watching it on a screen, her intensions were perfectly clear and I felt like it was harder to understand where she was coming from. On the other hand, while reading this scene, I was able to create my own picture of it and sympathize with her more. In the films just the subtle dirty looks she would give out or the consonant eye rolls, she seemed to cause more damage than good. Mrs. Bennet is a mom, which I think is important to remember when looking father into her character. As annoying and outspoken as she can be, she is looking out for her children which is what any mother should do. 

Lydia Bennet

*Lydia Bennet: she is the wild card in the story and in the Bennet family. What, exactly, is her flaw? Do you think she serves as a warning of some sort? What would that be? Is it fair to see her as such? What, really, distinguishes her from Elizabeth? How do the movies treat her? How do the values associated with her differ or parallel our societal norms today?    

         Lydia Bennet in the story films and adaptation all show her in the same light just in different forms.  She's is the "wild card" of the Bennet family she's to energetic to show similarities of her sister Jane and to naive to be as witty as Elizabeth. Throughout the films and book she does not show any maturity or growth throughout the story, she's very stoic. Her biggest flaw would be her naïveté and carelessness how whenever she and her family go to a gathering the is always drunk and running around or chasing soldiers. And I don't only blame Lydia for this Mrs. Bennet is partially to blame as well, her reasons for wanting Lydia to be "out" are understandable but she should have waited a few more years so she could have matured. In the  adaptation called the Lizzie Bennet Diaries even though in the beginning Lydia is energetic and the life of the party, towards the end of the series's she hits a point where she is maturing into the woman she should be.
          Jane Austen Portrayal of Lydia and her two older sisters do show sort of a warning. Lydia's warning to girls is to be cautious if your surroundings and the people around you. In certain social settings she was drunk or hanging off a soldiers arm, and even though the films and the book made it seem harmless it was far from it. If she was truly aware of who she was around and getting herself involved with she might have not caused her family shame by running away with  the first guy that shows interest in her. I think that Elizabeth gave her some indirect for warning by kicking Wickham to curb when she did, but Lydia did not take heed from it. It is fair to see her in this light if she showed some awareness her ending could have been better.
          Her and Elizabeth are polar opposites. When I think of how different they are I think of thenLizzie Bennet Diaries. It portrays Elizabeth as someone who is focused on her studies and trying to graduate., and Lydia as the wild child. She is constantly partying, getting drunk, and following after guys on local swim team ( the swim team is like the soldiers to the book version of Lydia). Where as Elizabeth is constantly worrying about finding a job after she graduates and what she is going to do with her life. And even though personality wise they are opposites the underlining similarity is that they both want to meet a man. Whether it be by true love or rose colored glasses.
          I think that the movies give more of a visualization of her actions. It's one thing reading about her running around town with soldiers, but actually seeing it makes what she is doing even more horrifying for her fate.
        A lot of her values are similar to that of today. She's all about having a good time and that is what it's all about today. Just living life and for the now instant gratification and that is Lydia Bennet summed up.

Accomplished or Pretentious?

The scene in which the concept of being an “accomplished woman” is a pivotal point for each of the character and the impact that has on the perception that audience is meant to feel.

In the scene from the 2005 adaptation, Miss Bingley’s actions throughout the dialogue seem as if she’s trying say that she’s accomplished. Which gives her character a conceited perception that is juxtaposed with Elizabeth’s, who slams her book after Mr. Darcy’s ‘reading’ comment and questions the judgment of the self-righteous Darcy and Miss Bingley. This adaptation correctly depicts the emotion and feeling of the scene.

Along with the frustration of hearing an outrageous accusation on the female gender, you can feel the tension of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, more so in the film but that may be due to the impact of blunt facial expressions. This affect may lead to a more desirable Darcy figure in the audience’s perspective opposed to the book because you don’t get the cold, pretentious responses. You instead get a mysterious, desired man who does not feel many women are up to standards, yet feels Elizabeth is. Also, having a more exaggerated Miss Bingley overshadows the impression that you’re supposed to feel from Mr. Darcy. These factors could have lead to the “Darcy craze”. 

Of course, Mr. Bingley is still correctly illustrated as optimistic, loving fan of all the Bennet sisters in the 2005 film. Leaving the view of his character as sweet and understanding because he overlooks the flaws of these women whose characteristics cast them as very “unaccomplished”.

The idea of being “accomplished” has different standards in each character’s eyes. For Darcy and Miss Bingley it can be summed up to directly relating to social class and wealth. Which is why Elizabeth becomes so defensive against their arguments, depicted in both the novel and the 2005 film, because she realizes the pride of these pretentious people is exactly as she had preconceived.