Today if a teenager does not seek help or advice from her parents, she is seeking it from another source- mostly like a substitute parent. Parenting is not easy today and neither was it in England during the 18th century. In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the theme of parenting focuses of the roles of biological parents, inadequate substitutes, and respectable substitutes. In Pride and Prejudice Mr. and Mrs. Bennet neglect their parenting duties. Mr. Bennet is an “odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice” (7). He cares for his daughter Elizabeth, but does not prevent his other daughters from making poor choices like Lydia. When Lydia asks to go on a trip to Brighton, her father agrees without any consideration
…show more content…
Mrs.Forester proves to be the worst substitute parent by allowing Lydia to leave for Brighton “[leaving ] all her friends [to elope with Mr. Wickham]” (263). When Lydia and Kitty go to visit their Aunt, Mrs. Phillips, “they talk of nothing but officers” (30). During a visit Lydia and Kitty go into town and spend a day with two soldiers without the supervision of Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Younge took part in Wickham’s plan to [persuade Georgiana in believing she is in love with Wickham] and to consent to elopement” (195) . Lady Catherine may be an inadequate parent with her own child but is a decent substitute parent for Mr. Collins. Lady Catherine insists Mr. Collins to go ask one of the Bennet sisters for a hand in marriage. Although, these substitute parents fail at their job the good substitute parents out weight the …show more content…
Gardiner give the Bennet sister most of their parental guidance. Mrs. Gardiner helps Jane through her sadness of Bingley leaving, by insisting that Jane come to London with her to be closer to Bingley. When Mrs. Gardiner sees how much time Elizabeth is spending with Wickham she tells Elizabeth “not to involve [herself] or endeavor to involve him in a [relationship] of fortune, [it would be a great mistake]” (144). Mr. Gardiner being a strong father figure for Lydia, is the most urgent when Lydia goes missing and “promises every assistance in his power” (267). Mr. Gardiner also helps Jane and Elizabeth find suitable and trustworthy husbands, an ensures that his young nieces always have a proper chaperone. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam having full custody of Georgiana, decide to put her in in a schooling establishment in London. They are decent substitute parents by placing Georgiana in a school, but they do not give her the proper affection and attention a child receives from parents. Darcy Senior is very supportive of George Wickham. He hold a very high opinion for George, hoping the church [will become] his profession, and intends to provide for him in it” (194). When Lydia goes off to marry Wickham, Kitty spends most of her time with Jane and Elizabeth. No longer under the influence of Lydia, Kitty is now “less irritable, less ignorant, and less [dull]”
Mrs.Forester proves to be the worst substitute parent by allowing Lydia to leave for Brighton “[leaving ] all her friends [to elope with Mr. Wickham]” (263). When Lydia and Kitty go to visit their Aunt, Mrs. Phillips, “they talk of nothing but officers” (30). During a visit Lydia and Kitty go into town and spend a day with two soldiers without the supervision of Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Younge took part in Wickham’s plan to [persuade Georgiana in believing she is in love with Wickham] and to consent to elopement” (195) . Lady Catherine may be an inadequate parent with her own child but is a decent substitute parent for Mr. Collins. Lady Catherine insists Mr. Collins to go ask one of the Bennet sisters for a hand in marriage. Although, these substitute parents fail at their job the good substitute parents out weight the …show more content…
Gardiner give the Bennet sister most of their parental guidance. Mrs. Gardiner helps Jane through her sadness of Bingley leaving, by insisting that Jane come to London with her to be closer to Bingley. When Mrs. Gardiner sees how much time Elizabeth is spending with Wickham she tells Elizabeth “not to involve [herself] or endeavor to involve him in a [relationship] of fortune, [it would be a great mistake]” (144). Mr. Gardiner being a strong father figure for Lydia, is the most urgent when Lydia goes missing and “promises every assistance in his power” (267). Mr. Gardiner also helps Jane and Elizabeth find suitable and trustworthy husbands, an ensures that his young nieces always have a proper chaperone. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam having full custody of Georgiana, decide to put her in in a schooling establishment in London. They are decent substitute parents by placing Georgiana in a school, but they do not give her the proper affection and attention a child receives from parents. Darcy Senior is very supportive of George Wickham. He hold a very high opinion for George, hoping the church [will become] his profession, and intends to provide for him in it” (194). When Lydia goes off to marry Wickham, Kitty spends most of her time with Jane and Elizabeth. No longer under the influence of Lydia, Kitty is now “less irritable, less ignorant, and less [dull]”