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The Role of Women in the 19th Century
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The Role of Women in 19th Century England
Pride and Prejudice Background
Breaking the Norm
- Takes place in Hertfordshire, England
- 1797-1815
- The Bennet Family
- During this time period, marriage was viewed more as an economic agreement rather than an equal partnership
The "Inferior" Sex
“She could only imagine however at last, that she drew his[Darcy] notice because there was something about her more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present”(50).
- During this same time, there began a small transformation in women's rights
- Mary Wollstonecraft, Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1792 -- women should be treated as equals to men
- Elizabeth Bennet was used as an example in Pride and Prejudice
- Focused more on her intellectual development and independence than finding a suitable husband
- Women had very few legal, political, or social rights
- Very limited control over their own property
- Rarely ever granted legal custody over children
- Were refused admittance to higher education institutions
- "Separate Spheres"
“In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels...
Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention”(23).
Expectations
- Not only the domestic responsibilities
- Taught to excel in many accomplishments
Marriage Expectations
“A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved”(39).
-Miss Bingley
“The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news”(7). - Mrs. Bennet
- Women should always have a graceful and feminine manner -- it was considered unattractive to be too devoted to one's intellectual studies
- English view of family in the 19th century focused on the importance of wealth and success -- leading to advantageous marriages
- The position of daughters among a family changed
- Courtship and marriage became the main focus in all women's lives
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”(5).
Megan Johnson
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