Words: 363
Despite how frequently literature and society have fictionally and stereotyped females as angels, bar maids, pitches whore’s, brainless housewives, or old maids, omen must define themselves and articulate their roles, values, aspirations, and place in society. To do so, say feminist critics, women must… Marshal a variety of resources to assert, clarify, and finally implement their beliefs and values” (Brewster 182). In regard to this quote, Elizabeth Bennett indeed clarifies and implements her own beliefs and values.
The protagonist, in a final spat with Lady Catherine De rough, asserts her position on marrying Mr.. Dairy, free from societal restrictions: “l am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected to me” (Austin 260). As such, Miss Bennett articulates her own role and place in society, although still only as a housewife but a housewife that marries for love and her own ‘aloes as opposed to the societal dictated “values” of wealth and a vast fortune.
As one of the most significant developments in literary studies in the second half of the twentieth century, feminist literary criticism advocates equal rights for all women linseed, all peoples) in all areas of life: socially, politically, professionally, personally, economically, aesthetically, and psychologically’ (Brewster 167). Feminist literary criticism champions equal rights for women, so it would be apt to pay attention to an occasion in which Elizabeth Bennett claims equality with another upper-class man, Mr.. Dairy.
Again, in the same quarrel with Lady Catherine De Burgh, Miss Bennett Claims, “In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere [in which I have been brought up]. He Is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal” (Austin 258). In this Instance, Miss Bennett claims equality with Mr.. Dairy as she opposes Dairy’s controlling aunt. To be equal to and have equal opportunity and rights with a man of such social ranking as Mr.. Dairy Is to epitomize the very cause of feminist literary criticism??to chiefly advocate for the rights and equality of women.