Introducing Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

The Landed Gentry Definition: people who did not have to work for a living and did not hold a title (like earl, duchess, mainly the upper social class held titles) but still made a living as being landlords They became a new strata (level) to Britain’s social class system Many Englishmen strove (struggled) to be landlords, since not having to work by living off rental and other owned property meant you were part of this social class Monies to buy land were gained from profits from the Industrial Revolution (factories & mills) and an expanding colonial system Strived to align themselves (gain favor) with England’s landed aristocracy Purchased estates and country homes that looked like they belonged to the aristocracy, even though they really did not Newly acquired wealth was spent on material things they would impress your neighbors and make it appear as if you were wealthy

Jane Austen’s Characters Characters tended to be privileged circles of England’s landed gentry and aristocracy They were either upper class, called the old hereditary aristocracy; or New landed gentry who came into money through commercial enterprise and ascended from the middle class were called “nouveau riche,” or “new money” Hereditary aristocracy looked down on the “nouveau riche,” even though some of the Landed Gentry had more wealth than them. Titles separated these two classes Upper class did not work and frequently employed farmers to work their lands Upper class controlled England’s politics & government

Pride and Prejudice: Setting

Who is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy? A Main character Represents the hereditary aristocracy, because he was a wealthy landowner who did not have to work for a living Patronage: the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. Darcy’s patronage came in the form of employing workers to farm his land. These same people paid rents & taxes to Darcy. Surrounding families depended on his patronage to live. IF he stopped giving it, the local towns could go bankrupt! He is single and wealthy, making him a target for fathers & mothers with single daughters

Who are the Bingleys? Both are minor characters Represents the new landed gentry Bingley’s father acquired wealth (got rich) through trade, gave up his business, and moved his family to the country He and his sister are now considered upper class Charles Bingley is single and wealthy, making him a target for fathers & mothers with single daughters Caroline Bingley is a snob, and looks down on middle-class families; wants Mr. Darcy

Who are the Bennets? Bennets DO own their land, but they are a middle-class family who must cultivate (farm) their own land to make a living They had few servants (a sign of being middle class) and limited financial resources, which hurt the chances for the girls to get a “respectable” marriage to a wealthy man Mr. Bennet Jane Bennet Mrs. Bennet Elizabeth Bennet Lydia Bennet Kitty Bennet Mary Bennet

Women, Patriarchy and Property Rights During this time, society was a patriarchal Patriarchy: a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it Women had very few legal rights Society was set up to make women have to depend on men for protection and survival Women could not own property, because they were considered property Their fathers chose who they would marry Finding a husband was a necessity not a social preoccupation

Women, Patriarchy and Property Rights (continued) Entailment: determined how property would be passed through several generations within a family; usually closest male relative received it Lady Catherine DeBourgh, patroness of Rosings Park, is a rare example of an independent woman who inherits the estate of her father, because of the way her father’s will was written

Theme of Social Class Conflict arises when members of middle class, such as Bennets, mingle socially with members of the upper classes, represented by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. Austen was critical of the social barrier between middle and upper class (while remaining silent about members of lower class)

Theme of Marriage and Family Future of Bennet daughters depends on successful union with suitable husbands Women often forced into marital unions out of financial necessity (need) There was the expectation of social networking, respectability, and reputation above individual desire for privacy or personal wants A family’s reputation was tied to the reputation of each individual member. Meaning, how each person acted in public effected how the entire family was viewed

Theme of Propriety, Social Decorum, and Reputation Person’s value depends on respect of friends and neighbors Woman who engaged in inappropriate behavior with a man prior to marriage were morally corrupt. No virtue = social outcast Elizabeth values personal worth and individual character over reputation and status Standards of proper social etiquette were expected Visit the URL to see video about etiquette https://youtu.be/XETJ3BftH2g <<<Scan the QR code to view video about etiquette

First Impressions Original title of P & P Premature preconceptions complicate the relationships between characters Both characters must set aside their pride and prejudice and form an opinion based on respect and cordial friendship Error in judgment with Wickham who creates a bad image of Darcy Must look beneath the surface of a person’s character

Satire Humor or with in order to criticize or ridicule a particular person or group Disguise criticism of an intended target by clothing it in humorous language, funny characterizations, and sarcasm Austen satirizes Mrs. Bennet and her need to marry her daughters; also Mr. Collins’ high opinion of himself which often makes him the laughingstock of society

Free Indirect Discourse Narrative style known as “free indirect discourse” Third-person perspective to convey ideas and thoughts from point of view of a particular character usually the heroine. Hard to determine objectivity of ideas Precursor of “stream of consciousness”

Comedy of Manners Uses elements of Satire to ridicule or expose behaviors, manners, flaws, and morals of members of the middle or upper classes. Incorporate love affairs, witty and comical exchanges between characters, and the humorous revelation of societal scandals and intrigues Witty banter between characters