Does Pride And Prejudice Reinforce Or Erode Sexist Stereotypes Of Women (Module 7)

Do Pride and Prejudice Reinforce or Erode Sexist Stereotypes of Women
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Do Pride and Prejudice Reinforce or Erode Sexist Stereotypes of Women
Introduction
Pride and Prejudice is one of the renowned literary readings by Jane Austen which was published in the year 1813. The novel was written in the context of the 18th century when the society was mainly male-dominated and women were not given any social status facing prejudice and discrimination (Kumara, 2017). Taking into consideration the context of the novel, at first, it seemed that the reading erodes sexist stereotypes of women but a closer inspection revealed that it actually reinforces the sexist stereotypes of women.
Main Stages of Analysis
The novel is divided into three main stages of analysis. Stage 1 provides the overview of the novel. Stage 2 discusses the instances which reinforce the sexist stereotypes of women in the novel and stage 3 includes the analysis of key characters.
Main Stage 1
The novel was basically written regardless of sexist stereotypes or any such motive. It is a story which revolves around two characters, Elizabeth and Darcy. The characters do not have any coordination or subordinate relationship but due to typical human nature, one was considered superior to others based on their social classes. The novel is set in rural England and starts with the character of Mrs. Bennet whose foremost ambition was to get all her daughters blissfully married. The sexist stereotypes paved its way with the first meeting of Elizabeth, one of her daughters and Darcy, a rich bachelor in the neighborhood. The pride of Darcy and prejudice of Elizabeth created misunderstanding between them (Reena, 2012). Elizabeth assumed that Darcy perceived women as an inferior being. Their misunderstandings were soon swayed away bringing them both together.
Main Stage 2
The novel starts with the quote that “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen, 1995). The quote was meant to be read as opposite i.e. single women need to get married for economic and social settlement. Mrs Bonnet only wished for daughters to settle as happily married and her desire reinforces the sexist stereotypes of women where every woman aspires for a happy marriage of her daughters. This is a typical female nature which cannot be questioned because they are right at their place.
The respective novel reinforces sexist stereotypes of women from the perspective of Mrs. Bonnet who was more concerned about the marriage of her daughter in a society where people are busy in other issues such as bread earning for their families. Elizabeth, on the other hand, has some firm beliefs and opinions regarding m...