Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen

An Introduction to Austen, the novel, and the time period in which the

novel takes place.

Jane Austen

• Jane Austen was born December 16th, 1775 at Steventon, Hampshire, England to Rev. George Austen, (the local rector, or Church of England clergyman), and his wife Cassandra

Austen’s Education

• 1783: Jane and her older sister were taught by Mrs. Crawley, who was a sister of one of their uncles.

• 1785-1786: Jane and Cassandra attended Abbey Boarding School– Jane was almost too young to benefit from this.

• Learned piano, how to draw, etc. from family• Read novels all the time – Her father had over 500 in 1801.

Early Adulthood

• Austen enjoyed attending social events (dances and parties) and visiting London, Bath, Southampton, etc. where she attended plays.

• 1801: family moves to Bath

Austen’s Love Life

• 1795-1796: brief fling with Thomas Lefroy– He couldn’t afford to marry her.

• Possible serious relationship with a nameless man in Devonshire. All we have are Cassandra’s accounts of their relationship.– This suitor died unexpectedly.

• 1802: Harris Bigg-Wither proposed– He was 6 years younger.– She said yes but then backed out the next day

Austen’s Adulthood

• 1805: her father died and income was reduced• Moved around to many cities including,

Winchester, Southampton, etc. for a few years.• 1810 (Hampshire)- began writing again• 1816- became ill• July 18th 1817: death at age 41– Buried at Winchester Cathedral– Women not allowed to attend funerals at this time

Austen’s Gravestone: What’s missing?

• In memory of JANE AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN, formerly Rector of Steventon in this County. She departed this Life on the 18th July 1817, aged 41, after a long illness supported with the patience and the hopes of a Christian. The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper, and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her, and the warmest love of her intimate connections. Their grief is in proportion to their affection they know their loss to be irreparable, but in the deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity, devotion, faith and purity have rendered her soul acceptable in the sight of her REDEEMER.

Addition to the Gravestone

• JANE AUSTEN known to many by her writings, endeared to her family by the varied charms of her Character and ennobled by Christian faith and piety, was born at Steventon in the County of Hants Dec. XVI MDCCLXXV, and buried in this Cathedral July XXIV MDCCCXVII. "She opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Austen’s Literary Works• 1787-1793: Juvenilla• 1795-1799: began Sense and Sensibility, Pride

and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey– Working titles: Elinor and Marianne, First

Impressions, and Susan.• 1803: began The Watsons (never finished)• 1812: began Mansfield Park• 1814 began Emma• 1815- began Persuasion• 1817- began Sanditon (never finished)

Reputation

• Reputation is everything, especially to women.– Elizabeth walks to Bingley’s– Mrs. Bennett’s ridiculous behavior– Lydia’s relationship with Wickham– Darcy’s intervention• Without it, would Elizabeth and Darcy still get married?

Class

• Lower class?• Life for the middle and upper class was strictly

regulated– Bennett’s associated with Bingley’s– Mr. Collins actions around Lady Catherine– Darcy and Elizabeth/ Jane and Bingley marriages• Can love and happiness overcome class?

Education

• No organized education; local charity or church-run schools were popular.

• “Genteel” social levels, like those in Pride and Prejudice, did not attend these schools. – They would be taught by parents, a tutor, or be

sent away to live with a tutor when young. • Some grammar schools existed but were only

for males.

Education cont.

• The prime symbol of academic knowledge, and masculine educational attainments, was the Classical languages Greek and Latin, to which a great deal of time was devoted in "genteel" boys' education, but which few women studied.

Women’s Education

• As for domestic training,a relatively large amount of girls' and women's time was spent on sewing or needlework

• For women of the "genteel" classes the goal of non-domestic education was thus often the acquisition of "accomplishments", such as the ability to draw, sing, play music, or speak modern languages (generally French and Italian).– Generally just done to attract men.

Gender Differences

• Men had greater power and contribution to society as a whole

• Women were viewed more as reserved, gossipy, and highly held by reputation.

• Women were expected appear and behave with a certain manner, and easily became a social outcast if any societal deviance was displayed

Gender Differences: Men

• man’s primary role is to be the provider: • work, • propose an engagement for a wife, • earn the family’s only income, • make final decisions, • physically and fiscally support and protect the

family, and • provide a home, food, and clothing.

Gender Differences: Women

• During this time period, it was unacceptable for women, or a woman, to travel alone.

• Women were to:– tend to the children, – cook the meals, – do the shopping and sewing, and – uphold the daily routines for the family, primarily

tending to the husband’s needs.