Pride and Prejudice Book Report In the novel, Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, a young girl named Elizabeth Bennet discovers herself in a world of societal standards that she must live up to in order to receive what every young girl yearns for: a happy marriage. Money has and forever will be a standard in society. Men are pressured to attain money in order for a respectable girl to marry them. Status is a very similar concept. The manner of which families perceive themselves and others, plays a very important role. Marriage comes hand in hand with the other two standards. Therefor, this is the goal of life for all young people. In Elizabeth’s world, the man she marries says everything about her. In a world of superficial standards
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Their lack of money causes others to admire them less; and furthermore, diminishes their level of respect from fellow society members.They admire those that hold higher positions in society than themselves. They discuss the Bingley family with great admiration for the daughters. Austen writes, “They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds… They were of a respectable family in the north of England” (15). The Bingley’s obtained everything that the Bennet’s wished for. They were beautiful, well educated and wealthy. The most introverted of the Bennet family, Mary understands the importance of societal ranking, however does not care what others think of her. Austen writes, “While I can have my mornings to myself, it is enough. I think it no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all” (Austin 76). She timidly describes the way she feels about society. Mary and Elizabeth’s feelings are very similar in regard to how much they permit society to affect them. Society has their opinions about everyone, including the way they dress. Throughout the story, Elizabeth does not seem to care much for the clothing that herself or others are wearing until she is expected to have dinner with a very wealthy woman. Lady Catherine is a very high class lady and she ensures that her apparel makes her appear that way. Elizabeth worries that none of her dresses will be good enough to wear in front of Lady Catherine. However, Wickham comforts her. Austen gives an example of this by saying, “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter” (Austin 138). Lady Catherine is so precise about her clothing that she does not wish for her guests to dress as nice. She wants to appear better than the
Their lack of money causes others to admire them less; and furthermore, diminishes their level of respect from fellow society members.They admire those that hold higher positions in society than themselves. They discuss the Bingley family with great admiration for the daughters. Austen writes, “They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds… They were of a respectable family in the north of England” (15). The Bingley’s obtained everything that the Bennet’s wished for. They were beautiful, well educated and wealthy. The most introverted of the Bennet family, Mary understands the importance of societal ranking, however does not care what others think of her. Austen writes, “While I can have my mornings to myself, it is enough. I think it no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all” (Austin 76). She timidly describes the way she feels about society. Mary and Elizabeth’s feelings are very similar in regard to how much they permit society to affect them. Society has their opinions about everyone, including the way they dress. Throughout the story, Elizabeth does not seem to care much for the clothing that herself or others are wearing until she is expected to have dinner with a very wealthy woman. Lady Catherine is a very high class lady and she ensures that her apparel makes her appear that way. Elizabeth worries that none of her dresses will be good enough to wear in front of Lady Catherine. However, Wickham comforts her. Austen gives an example of this by saying, “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter” (Austin 138). Lady Catherine is so precise about her clothing that she does not wish for her guests to dress as nice. She wants to appear better than the