Lovers Leap: Identifying Female Independence in the Wake of Marriage and Gender Stereotyping by Kayleigh

Kayleigh Winter

Romantic Comedies

Professor Sinowitz

20 March 2020

Lovers Leap: Identifying Female Independence in the Wake of

 Marriage and Gender Stereotyping

Although we have noticed that Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice revolves around the symbol of pride and marriage, it is clear that the story focuses primarily on Elizabeth Bennet’s development as an independent woman. While Lizzy’s clever and witty personality distinguishes her as a powerful character, her independent spirit enables her to combat the stereotypical assumptions made about women during her time period. Some examples of female stereotypes in the novel include women in need of a male figure to be her protector and women leading men on. The effects of gender stereotypes become apparent as Austen contradicts their traditional role in society. J. Hillis Miller’s article reinforces the contradictions made in Austen’s work by suggesting that the role of narratives is to “reinforce the dominant culture and put it in question, both at the same time” (Miller, 70). The theme of independence builds an interesting argument because the underlying female stereotypes contradict Lizzy’s unusual independent nature. By analyzing Lizzy’s attitude toward marriage and her personal experiences with stereotypes, the role of independence becomes evident. 

Elizabeth Bennet first asserts her independence through her peculiar perspective on marriage. Unlike the rest of her sisters, Lizzy’s view on marriage conflicts with the ideals of society. The reason for this difference is rooted in her independent nature and her ability to hold her own despite the obstacles and criticism she faces from some of the other characters, such as Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bingley. For example, she believes that a man and a woman should get to know each other before getting married to determine whether or not they have similar aspirations and goals in life. More importantly, a marriage should be established on the foundation of love. Based on the observations of her parents' relationship, Lizzy notices the lack of affection between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet because her father married out of lust and not love. He failed to learn about his wife on a deeper and personal level, and now he must pay the price in the form of compromised happiness. 

Furthermore, it is clear that Lizzy does not want a loveless marriage, especially when she rejects Collins’ marriage proposal. She may be giving up her opportunity to keep her father’s estate in the family, but money can not buy happiness. By rejecting Collins, Lizzy reinforces her independence because she does not need a man with money to make her happy. Seeing her parents’ failed marriage only pushes her further away from the concept unless it is with someone she loves. Lizzy's relationship with Darcy certainly does not begin on the greatest terms, but their relationship blossoms into a symbol of pure love. It is clear that their happy and loving relationship trumps society’s ideals of economic necessity. Also, she realizes that she was wrong to judge Darcy so harshly and reject his marriage proposal. One of the biggest indicators that demonstrates Lizzy’s feelings for Darcy is in the narrative, “Oh! How heartily did she grieve over every gracious sensation she had ever encouraged… For herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him” (Austen, 223). Her expression of pride for Darcy gives the word a whole new meaning in the story as Lizzy transforms the negative connotations of her self pride and independence into a pure form of love and satisfaction for her partner.  

Gender stereotypes also play a significant role in Austen’s story by making some classical assumptions about women during this time period. One of the first cases of gender stereotyping is when Lizzy is scrutinized by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst when she comes to take care of Jane. “That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley” (Austen, 24). Women were expected to be pristine and proper, and they certainly were never seen walking alone. Lizzy’s sense of independence allows her to turn this false assumption upside down by affirming that she is going to visit Jane despite the opposition of her mother. In volume one, Lizzy states “I shall be very fit to see Jane--which is all I want… No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk, The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles…” (Austen, 24). This shows that Lizzy is clearly not afraid to do things on her own and get her hands dirty every now and then. In other words, Lizzy contradicts the weak and proper female norm by asserting her willingness to make her own decisions and seek them out even if that requires her to depend on herself. 

The conversation between Mr. Collins and Lizzy after she rejects his proposal reflects another prime example of assumptions made about women. Lizzy’s independence encourages her to make her own decisions despite the opinions of others. She knows what she wants and understands that she will suffer a lifetime of misery if she marries Collins. The only reason for Lizzy to marry him would be to keep her fathers entail within their immediate family, but she is determined to marry a man she loves. Collins’ response to Lizzy’s rejection is a critical assumption about women. He says, “I know it to be the establised custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female character” (Austen, 78). Collins suggests that females often reject men the first time they propose because women like the chase and find comfort in knowing that a man is willing to fight for her. He makes women appear as if they are not serious when they say no and that men should pressure them until they make a decision. This raises serious implications for females because if they are not taken seriously, it is easy to manipulate and take advantage of them.

Unlike most women, Lizzy’s independence compels her to reject Collin’s proposal and maintain her stance of rejection. Collins is unfazed by her response because he is sure that she will change her mind, but Lizzy is not like most girls. As discussed before, Lizzy is confident in making her own decisions, which means that she does not need a man telling her what to do. For example, when Lizzy receives the news about Lydia running off with Wickham, she does not ask for Darcy’s advice, but rather she asks him to keep the news a secret until she can handle the situation herself. Clearly, Lizzy’s independence demonstrates that she is different from typical women in society because she wants to find a partner that will allow her to do things on her own without him trying to assert his dominance over her.  

One of the last instances where female stereotyping emerges is when Lizzy decides to cut her visit short with Lady Catherine. She is upset that Lizzy is leaving so soon because she expected her to stay for about another month. Using her power to convince Lizzy to stay, Lady Catherine says “there can be no occasion for your going so soon” (Austen, 146). Being the confident and independent woman she is, Lizzy even has the courage to stand up against the high authority of Lady Catherine and refuses to stay longer. Furthermore, Lady Catherine emphasizes that females are weak and incapable of traveling on their own because “it is highly improper… Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life” (Austen, 146). The assumption here is that women always need a man to protect them because they are incapable of doing it themselves. We know for a fact that Lizzy’s independence, especially when she walks three miles from Longbourn to Netherfield, enables her to negate this claim because she does not need a man’s support for something as simple as walking. Although her independence could put her in a vulnerable position, Lizzy feels that she can do as she pleases because it is her responsibility to ensure her own fulfillment. Those trying to control her are entitled to their opinions, yet Lizzy does not feel the need to abide by what they think or assimilate to the typical norms of women just because it is the “right” thing to do. 

While it may be argued that Lizzy conforms to her society’s view of marrying a rich man and reinforces Collins’ assumption about women, Lizzy’s relationship with Darcy fosters her independence and longing for a loving marriage. Darcy and Lizzy appear to be the least likely to fall in love because of her pride and independence, but once she realizes her true feelings for him, Lizzy is able to accept his proposal. In the early stages of their relationship, Lizzy is confident that Darcy is disagreeable and that she could never love a man like him, but when Mrs. Reynolds expresses her pride in Darcy’s character, Lizzy realizes she was wrong to reject him. Also, she displays her independence by rejecting Darcy’s first proposal. Although Lizzy supports Collins’ assumptions that women decline a man’s first proposal by accepting Darcy only the second time, she does not reject him because she wants to tease Darcy. Rather, Lizzy reinforces her view that marriage should be founded on the basis of love and happiness. She does not need a man to make her happy unless she is truly in love. 

Based on the evidence mentioned, Jane Austen’s novel may appear to be a romantic story about the Bennet daughters, but more importantly it is a story about Lizzy distinguishing herself from the rest of society through her independence and rejection of the typical gender norms. Lizzy’s independence reflects positively on her character and attests to her ability to contradict the classic assumptions that society makes about women. In contrast to most women of her time, Lizzy’s character also does not follow the straight and narrow path to marriage. It even seems unlikely that she will marry after rejecting the proposal of both Collins and Darcy. It is through her attitude toward marriage and society's view of women that reflect her role as an independent protagonist. At the same time, her own beliefs persuade her to take a leap for love in the hopes of happily ever after.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane, et al. Pride and Prejudice. Fourth ed., W.W. Norton and Company, 2016.

Miller, J. Harris. “Narrative.” Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1990. 66-79.