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Elizabeth Bennet: Heroine of Romanticism

Thesis: The character of Elizabeth Bennet from the novelPride and Prejudice , is the most inspiring female character of the

Romantic period; she personified the concept of theindependent woman despite the patriarchal societal

ideologies of the period and instigated the burgeoning conceptof marrying ones equal for love. Thus , she is the Heroine of Romanticism.

W hat Characterizes Romanticism?

y Primitivismy Love of Naturey M ysticismy Sensibilityy Sympathetic interest to the pasty Reactions against Neo-classicismy Individualism

W omen s Role During the Period: Women of the period had no real way to be on their ownor become independent. Professions , the

universities , politics , etc. were not open towomen and few occupations were open tothem -- and those few that were , such as beinga governess , were not highly respected , anddid not generally pay well or have very goodworking conditions. Therefore most upperclass women could not get money except bymarrying for it or inheriting it , since the eldestson generally inherits the bulk of an estate , asthe "heir". Only a rather small number of

women were what could be called professionals , who though their own efforts earned anincome sufficient to make themselves independent , or had a recognized career. As a societalrule , unmarried women also had to live with their families , or with family-approved protectors.Only in the relatively uncommon case of an orphan heiress who has already inherited , can ayoung never-married female set herself up as the head of a household.



Elizabeth Bennet CharacterDescription/Analysis:

y Elizabeth Bennet is a strong , stable , and

independent woman Even thoughmarriage is synonymous with submissionto one s husband , Elizabeth believesmarriage and an intimate relationship

with a man are sacred. At this time , theworld is relatively stable; Elizabeth standsstrong , and never compromises her morals or ideals Although womenlike Elizabeth are strong and stable , they still must be married or risk being shunned orridiculed by society. ( Sacred Heart University)

y Austen's heroines are more powerful feminist models than many of the female

characters in twentieth-century literature who reveal a disturbing propensity formasochism ," she says , purportedly demonstrating her originality but in fact recycling anidea that has been an accepted interpretation since the emergence of feminist literarycriticism. (Jenkins)

y Elizabeth takes love seriously and understands that when she does fall in love with a

man , the relationship she has will be one that will be sacred and last a lifetime. ( SacredHeart University)

y M iss Bennet s character is one of a young woman who prospers from her mistakes , is

more than intelligent in conversation , and who delights in the inconsistencies in others.She is , though operating in her limited sphere , an early feminist. M ost importantly , sheremains principled and unshaken by what the world thinks she should do , and is insteadguided by her own sense of what is right. This makes M iss Bennet a still much belovedcharacter of today , and accounts much for the popularity of Pride and Prejudice .(WiseGeek)

The Relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy:

y The attraction between Elizabeth andDarcy is a talky , civilized , celebration of minds:witticisms over the pianoforte , painful disclosures alonein the drawing room , letters deconstructed strand bystrand. By the time they plight their troth , the two havegone some distance down the relationship road. Not so



much in learning to know each other as in learning to see their own imperfect selvesin the mirror of their interaction (Jenkins).

y Elizabeth takes love seriously and understands that when she does fall in love witha man , the relationship she has will be one that will be sacred and last a lifetime.

(Sacred Heart University) y M r. Darcy's wealth is both beside the point and to the point: He values Elizabeth for

her intelligence and unconventional spirit , which is all we require (The Archetypal

Heroine)