There are many classic novels written that were written many years ago that are still famous today. Two classic well known books that many have read are Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. Most, when reading them, probably assume that they were written around the same time and in the same era. However, even though the two novels are in some ways similar and were not written very far apart, one can tell by comparing the two eras and looking at the books that the separate time periods they come from, though they have similarities, are not at all the same.
Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen in 1813. From the very beginning, one can tell that the main concept of this book is marriage. The story is about a young woman named Elizabeth …show more content…
Named after its four different George-named rulers, the Georgian era lasted for 1714 to 1830. During this period, there were many social standards and “rules” that were very strictly kept. Many things were considered unacceptable, rude, or uncouth; for example, it was absolutely necessary to dress up for dinner. The customs were strict and detailed, and, if not kept, one would be looked down upon. The Victorian era, however, was named after its ruler, Queen Victoria, and lasted from 1837 to 1901. There was much cultural change in the transition from the Georgian to the Victorian era. Social values became less strict, smaller in number, and less important, and more things became acceptable. However, there were similarities, such as dresses: fancy and unrevealing. Single women in both eras spent their time socializing (to find a husband), and greatly feared the loss of males in their families, as it could mean being driven from your home. In both eras, there were social classes. The upper classes included wealthy families, royals, and those with inherited fortune. The middle class, the largest class of them all, included those not rich but not poor, and consisted of an upper middle and a lower middle class. The working class included those working jobs, either skilled or unskilled, and the underclass included the homeless and poor, such as prostitutes. The changes …show more content…
The two most noticeable differences are in the love stories of the book. The first one is the social status of the individuals. Elizabeth and Darcy, being from the Georgian period, seemed to have stricter rules on marriage than that of Jane and Mr. Rochester. Darcy had considered it against his better judgment for reasons that were then important, such as social class. Elizabeth would’ve been in an upper middle or lower upper class. Darcy’s aunt, who completely opposed the pair, was told by Elizabeth that they were equal in her eyes, as Darcy was a gentleman, and she was a daughter of a gentleman, and responded thus: “True. You are a gentleman’s daughter. But who was your mother? Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their conditions.”(Austen, 680) His aunt obviously considered it inappropriate for them to marry because her mother and relatives were of a slightly lower class than them. Marriage affected the entire family -including relatives-, their social status, and their reputation, so it would be slightly degrading for Darcy to marry Elizabeth. Also, Elizabeth had no connections to his family, meaning she was no family friend or relative, and merely knew him by acquaintance. It was more appropriate to marry someone with whom your family had some sort of connection to, and generally more beneficial. These small problems seemed so big to Darcy and
Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen in 1813. From the very beginning, one can tell that the main concept of this book is marriage. The story is about a young woman named Elizabeth …show more content…
Named after its four different George-named rulers, the Georgian era lasted for 1714 to 1830. During this period, there were many social standards and “rules” that were very strictly kept. Many things were considered unacceptable, rude, or uncouth; for example, it was absolutely necessary to dress up for dinner. The customs were strict and detailed, and, if not kept, one would be looked down upon. The Victorian era, however, was named after its ruler, Queen Victoria, and lasted from 1837 to 1901. There was much cultural change in the transition from the Georgian to the Victorian era. Social values became less strict, smaller in number, and less important, and more things became acceptable. However, there were similarities, such as dresses: fancy and unrevealing. Single women in both eras spent their time socializing (to find a husband), and greatly feared the loss of males in their families, as it could mean being driven from your home. In both eras, there were social classes. The upper classes included wealthy families, royals, and those with inherited fortune. The middle class, the largest class of them all, included those not rich but not poor, and consisted of an upper middle and a lower middle class. The working class included those working jobs, either skilled or unskilled, and the underclass included the homeless and poor, such as prostitutes. The changes …show more content…
The two most noticeable differences are in the love stories of the book. The first one is the social status of the individuals. Elizabeth and Darcy, being from the Georgian period, seemed to have stricter rules on marriage than that of Jane and Mr. Rochester. Darcy had considered it against his better judgment for reasons that were then important, such as social class. Elizabeth would’ve been in an upper middle or lower upper class. Darcy’s aunt, who completely opposed the pair, was told by Elizabeth that they were equal in her eyes, as Darcy was a gentleman, and she was a daughter of a gentleman, and responded thus: “True. You are a gentleman’s daughter. But who was your mother? Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their conditions.”(Austen, 680) His aunt obviously considered it inappropriate for them to marry because her mother and relatives were of a slightly lower class than them. Marriage affected the entire family -including relatives-, their social status, and their reputation, so it would be slightly degrading for Darcy to marry Elizabeth. Also, Elizabeth had no connections to his family, meaning she was no family friend or relative, and merely knew him by acquaintance. It was more appropriate to marry someone with whom your family had some sort of connection to, and generally more beneficial. These small problems seemed so big to Darcy and