“Pioneering Feminism”: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bennet’s Self Agency in Pride and Prejudice by Campbell Montgomery

Campbell Montgomery

Professor Sinowitz

Romantic Comedy

March 20, 2020

“Pioneering Feminism”: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bennet’s Self Agency in Pride and Prejudice

In her novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen displays an early form of women’s advancement through her descriptions of marriage. She begins her novel with the quote,  "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Volume 1, Chapter 1). This emphasizes the culture of marriage at the time, and how women are reduced to simply being a wife to a man. As the first sentence of chapter one, it instantly establishes the gender roles within the novel, giving men the power to desire a wife and reducing women to an object that must be sought after. The novel demonstrates how women need to marry men they are not in love with simply in order to gain financial security and a stable future. Although many would say that the concept of marriage in Pride and Prejudice is extremely sexist and patriarchal, I would argue that this need to marry does not stem from a helpless, gold digging point of view, but from one of women’s advocacy. The only way for women, in Pride and Prejudice, to secure a stable future for themselves is to marry. Therefore, the women take advantage of this opportunity. They do not simply deny themselves the right to a stable life and a bright future by not marrying; they use marriage as a way to advance themselves in society. Women are strategic in their marriages, and although they do rely on a man for their financial stability, they do not have another option. How can women live equal lives to men, in a society that continues to deny women equality? In this society, one that denies women independence of their own, the way to stand out, and stand up for her own livelihood is to marry. In a sense, yes, the women in this novel are filling their typical societal roles, but it is the way in which they conduct themselves within these roles that provides the women with power. Through Elizabeth Bennet’s character development, Austen depicts how women are able to use marriage and their role in society to advance themselves.  

Elizabeth demonstrates this self agency through her actions and relationships throughout the novel. She rejects Mr. Collins's marriage proposal, conducts herself in a manner that is not typical for a “lady” at the time, and lastly strategically chooses to marry Darcy based on what she wants.  Elizabeth’s first demonstration of this early feminism is her rejection of Mr. Collins’ proposal. Mr. Collins proposes to her and assumes that she will be overjoyed and accept. He says everything he thinks he is supposed to say, however the proposal has no sense of love or feeling. Elizabeth declines his offer, but Mr. Collins strengthens his offer by stating, “... it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications” (Volume 1, Chapter 19). He emphasizes that she may never receive another proposal again, and that by declining him she may be declining any opportunity for marriage that she will ever have. Hearing this, Elizabeth still denies Mr. Collins. Elizabeth refuses to settle for his horrible proposal and a potential marriage that has no foundation. It would be expected for a woman to jump at this proposal due to the fact that she would be securing herself financially and socially, however Elizabeth does not. She sees better for herself, and recognizes that even if she does not receive another proposal, she will be better off alone than with Mr. Collins. She empowers herself to follow her own desires and ignore social norms by rejecting Mr. Collins’ proposal. 

Her agency is also shown in Austen’s description of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth. After the first proposal,  Elizabeth is described as experiencing an “astonishment beyond expression. She stared, colored, doubted, and was silent” (Volume 1, Chapter 34). She was so shocked, that she could not produce the words to verbally decline his offer. Darcy perceives her silence as agreement, however this is not the case. Elizabeth soon finds the words to tackle Darcy’s arrogance, and puts him in his place in the following: 

You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner… You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it. (Volume 2, Chapter 34)

Elizabeth describes Mr. Darcy’s lack of manners and sensitivity, as shown through his proposal. She also depicts how she would not even consider taking his hand in marriage, due to his egotistical nature and sense of superiority that he possesses. Elizabeth’s agency is created by her ability to refuse to take part in a marriage that does not feel right to her. She denies Darcy’s proposal in a way that makes it clear she will not be forced to do anything she is not comfortable with, regardless of what society may have normalized. Elizabeth works against the expectation that she should keep her mouth shut, like most women at the time, and get married to the first man who offers. Elizabeth is not afraid to speak up against Mr. Darcy, who has an immense amount of societal power. After Darcy offers his hand in marriage, he expects Elizabeth to fully accept based on the fact that he is wealthy and has power, however she reprimands him for failing to address her in a gentleman-like manner. Elizabeth is looking for an equal partnership in her marriage. Even though she knows that she is dependent upon a man to provide for her financially, she believes that she should have some power in the relationship, and she establishes this by refusing his proposal the first time.

Women in 19th century England were bound by a series of social expectations, including they way they were to behave. Women were expected to be “accomplished” enough to attract a man. They must also be polite, ladylike and passive, as they are a representation of their husbands. These standards are set for women, to determine if they even deserve love, while there is no such standard for men. Elizabeth recognizes this social imbalance and takes it into her own hands to fix this. Until a woman is married, they are a reflection of another man in their life; their father. Using this logic, Elizabeth generates her equality to Darcy in the following quote, “Darcy is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal” (Volume 1, Chapter 22). Elizabeth, once again,  creates agency for herself by equating herself to Darcy. She is not afraid to speak her mind, and by doing so she gives herself power. Elizabeth denies her societal role as a silent woman, and creates an understanding of equality in her relationship with Darcy.  

Ultimately, Elizabeth's radical self agency as a woman during the 19th century allowed her to generate power within her relationship and within society. This early depiction of feminism by Austen, has paved the way for modern feminist movements today. Over time, the methods that coincide with standing up ourselves have changed, but the notion has not. Through her self agency, Elizabeth completely embodies early women empowerment.  Self agency for women is such an important step in gaining the equality that women deserve. If women do not advocate for themselves, then who will? The annual women’s march, women’s suffrage movement, #MeToo movement, and many others all stem from the early feminism depicted in Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth, as a leading character, provided women with an early example of how to create agency for themselves, and thus women’s independence has developed since. Austen’s depiction of marriage as a way for women to advance themselves, set the tone for women’s self agency throughout history, and today.