Words: 1713
Individuality refers to the character or qualities which distinguish one person from another. Ones uniqueness constitutes a strong distinctiveness In his/her character. Thus, when this sense of character Is Juxtaposed against the concept of Individuality, the mutual association results in the inherent emergence of a persons true identity. Although the distinguishing of separate individuals personalities remains admired in today’s society, there existed a time in which the pursuit of uniqueness in character and personality was discouraged. This held especially true for women in Regency
England in the 1 sass. A woman In this time period, respectively the setting of Jane Statues Pride and Prejudice, endured numerous pressures and overwhelmingly strict rules from societal norms In order to obtain proper placement In society. Women of the time most importantly should marry, and marry well, primarily to obtain the substantially vital possession of an exceptional reputation, and also to support their family and retain a good name. In addition, women held considerably inferior societal positions to men, having strict sociable allowances to only partake in alls, dances, and dinners.
These contribute to a woman acquiring a greater extent of connections, which In turn Increases their chance of marrying well. However, Jane Austin does in fact present a character that ultimately triumphed over the particular stereotype of women in pursuit of her own ideals. Elizabeth Bennett, the protagonist and heroine of Pride and Prejudice, conveys a powerful sense of independence, remains very outspoken of her views, and a reason for marrying which all contradict the stereotypical woman of the time.
Elizabeth is an extremely atypical female for her mime, for she Invariably refuses to allow the loss of her Individualism and personal identity In a society which encourages women to do exactly that. Initially, Elizabeth attitude of independence induces her to act on the instinct of her unique ideals; her sense of self reliance eventually causing a mass of pride and prejudice to formulate around her thoughts and dialogue. No, indeed I do not wish to avoid the walk, for the distance Is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles (28).
Elizabeth acts In direct defiance towards her mother, and even though she expects to create a engrave first Impression, her own concerns (such as the well- being of her sister), prevail as a top priorities in her independent mind. She also walks alone, signifying the scarcity of independence exhibited by women of the sass, particularly towards situations that could potentially threaten ones reputation, such as Elizabeth walk in the mud.
To such perseverance in willful self-deception Elizabeth would make no reply, and Immediately and in silence withdrew, determined, that If he persisted In considering her repeated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behavior at least could not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female (91). In the thoroughness of Elizabeth dialogue, the author presents a tone of irritants, for the protagonists self reliance on her own opinions could not sway Mr..
Collins foolish assumptions. Through Elizabeth, the author also expresses heartily disdain of the Inferiority of female roles of the time feelings instead of her effectively conveying them herself. I am only resolved to act in hat manner, that will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person wholly unconnected with me (294). Essentially, this statement of Elizabeth to Lady Catherine demonstrates her fierce independence. She specifically states that her happiness is the only factor in the governance of her actions.
Her self reliance and her own opinions create an independence which allows her to disregard the Judgments of others no matter their social standing. Elizabeth independent mindset constitutes a very opinionated personality and character, Inch becomes exposed through remarkable dialogue. Subsequently, Elizabeth outspoken nature causes consequently different interactions with people through dialogue, than would traditionally occur with a stereotypical female. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some sort of remark on the size of the room or the number of couples (76).
Normally, a person Mould not point out the faults in their dance partners manners. However, Elizabeth outspoken nature allows her to mock an individual of higher social consequence for his discomfited behavior. This interaction presents a fine example of Jane Statues ironic humor. Dairy remains silent at the ball in order to remain socially superior in his mind. However, he receives a lecture from a member of lower social standing, a Oman no less, concerning manners and formal protocol.
From the very beginning?? from the first moment, I may almost say?? of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and [Our selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I ad not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world Noon I could ever be prevailed on to marry (159).
With none of the traditional politeness or subservience of her gender, Elizabeth reveals her unrelenting will to speak her mind in a situation of anger and in support of her feelings, which consequently humiliates Dairy. He became a victim to something virtually unheard of for a man of his social stature: an outspoken woman. Darers formal and polite exit reinforces the importance that high society places in constant manners and obedience of formal protocol, portraying his now tentatively preserved sense of superiority.
Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer 1139). Elizabeth upon this instance speaks her mind in an incredibly daring manner. It seems that Elizabeth became the first individual ever to address Lady Catherine in that way, an exceptionally audacious stunt considering the old widows possession of so much dignified impertinence. Along with her outspoken behavior, Elizabeth marital ideals present themselves as the exact opposite of views expected to be held y women at the matrimonial age in Pride and Prejudice.
Furthermore, most women of Jane Statues time period viewed marriage as the ultimate goal in life, a wondrous aspiration to be attained for comfort, materialism, and social stature; Elizabeth exclusively declines to accept these ideals as governance for her own actions. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single statement of Jane Statues masterpiece offers a miniature sketch of the entire plot, Inch concerns itself with the pursuit of single men in possession of a good fortune by various female characters.
The preoccupation with socially advantageous arraign in nineteenth-century English society manifests itself here, for in claiming that a single man must be in want of a wife, the narrator reveals that the reverse is also true: a single woman, whose socially prescribed options are quite limited, desires a husband. However, Elizabeth criticizes the advantages and consequence of marriage in her society, such as whether or not one holds respect for their life partner, negatively portrayed by her parents.
Elizabeth fortifies these ideals in her declaration that "l am determined that nothing but the very deepest love will induce me into matrimony” (38). Due to the fact that Elizabeth extreme opinion of marriage comes as a response to Jane similar view, implications arise that Elizabeth point of view does not remain exclusively unique. However, closer examination of Jane character reveals that although love intrigues her aspirations, she would easily and appropriately succumb to societal expectations.
Elizabeth outlook sets her far apart from the majority of women at the time, her position expressing that only love constitutes acceptable reason to marry. You could not make me happy, and I am convinced I am the last woman in the world who would make you so (102). Elizabeth adequately proves her profoundly unique views of matrimony by the adamant refusal of two separate but exceedingly suitable marriage proposals. In Elizabeth position, to not marry Mr..
Collins would put her in a very precarious situation financially, condemning all her family to certain disaster, and to denounce tradition for the sake of her principles seems foolhardy but also requires a fair amount of mustered courage. In absolute liberation from the female stereotype she rejects the proposal of Mr.. Dairy (likely the richest man she is ever to meet) as well revealing a omelet disregard for societal norms and her prescribed role as a woman. In conclusion, Elizabeth Bennett character intrigues many, unique individualism plainly setting her far from the stereotype of her gender.
Throughout Pride and Prejudice, several references enlighten every fine attribute of Elizabeth remarkable character. Her interactions throughout the novel quite clearly depict her as an extremely atypical female when Juxtaposed against the norm of her gender, during the distinctive period of Regency England in the year 1813. Through her independence and defiance, clearly outspoken nature, and inimitable ideals nickering matrimony, Elizabeth character undeniably challenges the stipulated roles and formal protocol of the women in her time period.
She remains principled and unshaken by the overwhelmingly strict expectations of society. Her every action becomes governed by assurance of her happiness alone, while decisions too depend exclusively on her own sense of correct choices. The character of Elizabeth Bennett provides inspiration for many modern women to develop a sense of courage and confidence, demonstrated by her determined will to speak her mind in effort to purport certain unique principles of marriage.
Elizabeth figuratively compares with Frond Bagging of Lord of the Rings, by being dragged into a quest in which a ring is central. In marrying Dairy, she overturns the social hierarchy by taking a husband opinions to understand what constitutes a happy (as well as proper) marriage on her independent terms she makes certain of her true happiness, concluding in final contentment that she will now never desire to discard her ring into Mount Doom. Works Austenite, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ann Arbor: Borders Classics, 2006.