Ever since its release, Pride and Prejudice has been one of the most beloved romantic novels of the English language. It starts with the moving of Mr Bingley, a wealthy man, into Netherfield, near the place where the five Bennet sisters live. He brings along with him the arrogant, even richer Mr. Darcy. The relationship between our beloved heroine Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy starts out as a horrible romantic clash, but as the novel goes on, they turn into the perfect match. Austen shows us that first impressions are indeed not always accurate.
Jane Austen was born in 1775 and died in 1817. She was the 7th of 8 children, and lived in southwestern England for most of her life. Her father was a gentleman and a scholar. He was part of the clergy and provided well for the family. The family's status allowed her to be well educated. She was taught in schools and also by her father. In her novels, she wrote only of what she knew: the mid/upper class social life. It is said that the societies portrayed in her novels are often less harsh than the society she actually lived in.
When Austen created the Bennet family, she might have had her own family in mind. The Bennet family has five girls: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, each with her own very different personality. Mr. Bennet, from what we know, was unlike Austen's own father. He is portrayed as a spectator in the girls' lives, and not taking much action, except when absolutely necessary.
Women in the 18th century lacked basic rights and endured many dangers and duties. Women in lower classes were mainly concerned with their families. Their tasks were to feed, clothe, and to shelter. Women in upper classes had strict rules governing conversations in social situations and their relations with men. They learned music, drawing, embroidery, and sewing. Women were not allowed in universities, and were not allowed to have opinions on "intellectual" matters.
They usually had to choose one of three options:
By introducing Jane and especially Elizabeth, Austen broke the stereotypes of women in society. The two sisters are well-bred, well behaved, and capable of having and intelligent conversation with men. Through her way of speaking, Elizabeth even influences Darcy's sister, who never knew that a woman could talk to a man in such a manner. The sisters do not settle for anything less than true love, and will not marry solely for money and a good living.
A character like Charlotte, however, more acurately resembles the women of the time. Charlotte is seen settling for whatever she can get, for fear of getting nothing at all. This is the reason she marries the horrid Mr. Collins after he was rejected by Lizzie.
In Austen's time, people were divided into strict social classes:
A major theme of Pride and Prejudice is class restrictions. Elizabeth thinks poorly of Mr. Darcy at first because she thinks he's too proud of his money, and Mr. Darcy acts cold to the people around him. Austen is realistic in her novel: when the two confess their love for each other, social order is still a problem. People like Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins, and Ms. Bingley convinces Mr. Darcy to not marry someone as lowly as Lizzie. In his world, he risks a lot by liking her. However, Austen does make a statement about the ability to move up in the social ladder because the two favorite sisters both marry extremely wealthy men.