Name :- Kumkum V. Hirani
Sem :- M.A. sem - 1
Paper :- 103
Subject :- Literature of the Romantic period
Roll No :- 15
College:- Smt. G. B. Gardi College , Department of English
Email id :- kumkumhirani6@gmail.com
ASSIGNMENT
Illustration of the Society of Jane Austen's Time
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Introduction:
Jane Austen is one of the most famous writers in English literature, known for her stories about love, family, and society. Her novels, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, are set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time when society was very different from today. Austen was born into the upper-middle class, and she had a clear view of how society worked, especially when it came to issues like class, marriage, and gender roles.
Austen’s novels show a society where marriage wasn’t just about love, but also about money, social status, and family connections. In her time, the higher classes held power, while the lower classes had little control over their lives. Most people’s futures were decided by their family’s wealth and social position. Through her characters, Austen shows how these rules shaped their lives, especially for women, who often had fewer choices than men.
Though many of Austen's stories focus on love and marriage, they also criticize the strict social rules of her time. Her characters often struggle to find love and happiness while also dealing with the pressure of society's expectations. The way people in Austen’s novels are forced to marry for money or social standing shows the limitations of their world. However, through her strong and smart characters, Austen also shows how they try to challenge these rules in their own ways.
Jane Austen :-
Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist known for her keen observations of social life and her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships, particularly in the context of love, marriage, and social status. Her works are often set in rural England and focus on the lives of the British gentry and upper middle class.
Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, the seventh of eight children in a family with literary and intellectual interests. Though she lived in relative obscurity during her lifetime, her works gained widespread recognition and popularity after her death.
Austen's most famous novels include:-
- Pride and Prejudices
- Sense and Sensibility
- Emma
- Mansfield Park
Illustration of the Society of Jane Austen's Time :
1) Class Structure in Jane Austen's Time :-
Austen’s society was rigidly hierarchical, with clear distinctions between social classes:
The upper class
The upper class, including characters like Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Sir Walter Elliot (Persuasion), derived their wealth and power from land ownership.
These families often lived on large estates and were considered the epitome of social refinement. Their behavior, wealth, and lineage determined their status in society.
Marriages within this class were often strategic, aimed at preserving or enhancing family wealth and influence.
The Middle Class
The middle class, represented by families like the Bennets in Pride and Prejudice or the Musgroves in Persuasion, were generally wealthier than the working class but still depended on professions or smaller estates.
This class was growing in importance due to the Industrial Revolution, which created new opportunities for trade and wealth accumulation.
The Working Class and Servants
Austen’s novels rarely delve into the lives of the working class, though they are subtly present in the form of servants. For instance, the housekeepers and maids at Pemberley (Pride and Prejudice) and Hartfield (Emma) serve as background figures, reflecting the economic disparity between classes.
Austen critiques the rigidity of this structure by emphasizing individual merit over birthright. For example, Elizabeth Bennet’s intelligence and character ultimately triumph over her family’s lower social standing in Darcy’s eyes.
2) Gender Roles and Women’s Position in Society :-
In Austen’s time, women were largely confined to domestic roles and were dependent on men for financial security.
Economic Dependence
Women could not inherit property due to laws like primogeniture, which passed estates to male heirs. This is a central issue in Pride and Prejudice, where the Bennet sisters face the prospect of losing their home to Mr. Collins.
Marriage was often the only viable option for women to secure their future. For instance, Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins not for love but for economic stability.
Education and Accomplishments
Women were educated to be "accomplished" in music, drawing, and sewing, as seen in characters like Jane Fairfax (Emma) and Georgiana Darcy (Pride and Prejudice). These skills were intended to make them more attractive to potential suitors.
Formal education was rare, especially for women of the middle and lower classes.
Social Expectations
Women were expected to be modest, polite, and submissive. Austen’s heroines, however, often challenge these norms. For example, Elizabeth Bennet asserts her independence by refusing Mr. Collins’ and Mr. Darcy’s initial proposals.
Austen portrays the consequences of defying societal expectations through characters like Lydia Bennet, whose elopement with Wickham damages her family’s reputation.
Austen critiques the limited roles available to women and champions intelligence and self-respect through her heroines.
3) Marriage and Courtship :-
Marriage was a central theme in Austen’s works, reflecting its importance in society.
Marriage as a Social Institution
Marriages were often arranged or heavily influenced by social and economic considerations. For instance, Lady Catherine de Bourgh expects Darcy to marry her daughter to consolidate their wealth and status (Pride and Prejudice).
Austen critiques these transactional relationships, as seen in Mr. Collins’ absurd pursuit of a wife solely to fulfill societal expectations.
Romantic Love vs. Practicality
Austen highlights the tension between romantic love and practical considerations. Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage in Pride and Prejudice is idealized as a union of love and mutual respect, while Charlotte Lucas’s marriage to Mr. Collins is purely practical.
The Role of Courtship
Social events like balls and dinners served as opportunities for courtship. These gatherings allowed individuals to display their manners, wealth, and charm.
Austen’s novels often use these events to reveal character traits and social dynamics. For example, Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice are evident during their interactions at Netherfield and the Meryton ball.
Through her portrayal of marriage and courtship, Austen critiques societal pressures and advocates for relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
4) Social Mobility and Wealth :-
Austen’s novels reflect the changing dynamics of wealth and social mobility during her time.
Inheritance Laws and Economic Vulnerabilities
Primogeniture left many families in precarious situations, as seen in the Dashwoods’ loss of their home in Sense and Sensibility.
Entailments, which restricted property inheritance to male heirs, forced women to rely on advantageous marriages.
The Rise of the Merchant Class
Characters like the Bingleys (Pride and Prejudice) represent the growing influence of wealth acquired through trade and commerce.
Austen subtly critiques the snobbery of the landed gentry towards “new money,” as seen in the tension between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth.
Austen’s works capture the complexities of social mobility, highlighting the interplay between wealth, class, and personal merit.
5) Social Etiquette and Conduct :-
Politeness and propriety were central to social interactions in Austen’s time.
Rules of Polite Society
Individuals were expected to adhere to strict codes of behavior, including proper speech, dress, and manners.
Characters like Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice) and Mrs. Elton (Emma) serve as examples of individuals who lack true refinement, despite their attempts to conform to societal norms.
Reputation and Gossip
Reputation, especially for women, was highly fragile. A single misstep, like Lydia Bennet’s elopement, could ruin a family’s social standing.
Gossip played a significant role in shaping public opinion, as seen in the rumors surrounding Darcy and Wickham.
Austen often uses humor and irony to critique the superficiality of social etiquette and the power of gossip.
6 ) Rural Life and Community :-
Austen’s novels are set in rural England, emphasizing the importance of close-knit communities.
The countryside provides a backdrop for her characters’ lives, highlighting the simplicity and charm of rural living.
Villages like Meryton (Pride and Prejudice) and Highbury (Emma) serve as microcosms of society, where everyone’s actions are scrutinized and judged.
7) Jane Austen’s Subtle Critique of Society :-
Austen’s novels are not merely romantic tales but sharp critiques of societal norms.
She questions the emphasis on wealth and status, as seen in Mr. Darcy’s transformation and Elizabeth’s rejection of Lady Catherine’s demands.
Her heroines challenge gender roles, asserting their independence and intelligence in a society that values conformity.
Austen’s use of irony and satire exposes the absurdities of societal expectations, making her works timeless.
Conclusion :-
Jane Austen’s portrayal of society in her novels provides a detailed and nuanced understanding of early 19th-century England. By focusing on themes like class, gender roles, marriage, and social etiquette, Austen captures the complexities of human relationships and societal norms. Her works remain relevant today, offering valuable insights into the challenges of navigating a structured and often restrlictive society.
Refference:-
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813.
Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. 1811.
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