Pride and Prejudice: A mirror to the

societal realities of Jane Austen's time

Through the use of relatable characters and detailed societal commentary, Jane Austen's 'Pride and
Prejudice' serves as a mirror to the social realities of late 18th and early 19th century England or the so-called
Regency era. The novel's depiction of marriage and courtship as a means of achieving financial stability and
social advancement, themes of conformity and individuality, and a strong sense of morality were shown as
parallels of reality in the novel.

During the regency era, romance is a rare thing because marriage is either to produce heirs, escape
poverty, combine a family’s finances, or gain or keep a status. Jane Austen is well known for having never wed
and for suffering from relative poverty and lack of independence following the death of her father, always
depending on the charity of her brothers. 1 "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." This famous opening line suggests that a man with
good fortune must be seeking a wife to attain a financially stable life. "I am the last of all my connections, and
the last of the name; and I am determined to keep as much of the property together as I can." This line stated by
Mr. Darcy also implies that he will use marriage to keep his status. The novel focuses a lot on the Bennet sisters'
marriages, their financial stability relies heavily on who they’re going to marry. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet is also
shown to be concerned for their family’s future if their daughters don’t marry well.

Both Jane Austen and Elizabeth Bennet demonstrate a strong moral code in the way they think and carry
themselves. Elizabeth is shown as having a strong understanding of right and wrong and preserving her moral
values, even when it is unpopular or goes against societal norms, in Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice."
like Elizabeth, Jane Austen is renowned for her criticism of society's standards and her portrayal of independent,
strong female characters who defy the norm. Jane Austen favors communal progress above individual success.
She defends the natural harmony of society, and she emphasizes the responsibility that all people have to one
another and society.2 "I have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with
those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of the conversation, or appear interested in their
concerns, as I often see done." "My fingers," said Elizabeth, "do not move over this instrument in the masterly
manner which I see so many women do. They do have not the same force or rapidity and do not produce the
same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my fault—because I would not take the trouble of
practicing." (Chapter 10) this quote highlights’ Elizabreths’ strong sense of morality.

Both women exhibit a harmony between individuality and conformity. Despite pressure from her family and
friends to accept, Elizabeth defies custom by rejecting the proposal of Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and powerful suitor.
Similar to how she does in her work, Jane Austen questions the norms of her period by addressing issues like
gender, social status, and moral responsibility in ways that were uncommon at the time.

In conclusion, the "Pride and Prejudice" character Elizabeth Bennet and author Jane Austen serve as
mirrors of the social reality of the Regency era in England. The themes of conformity and individuality are
depicted as fundamental aspects of people's lives, and the work accurately depicts the cultural pressure to marry
to achieve financial security and social progress. Both Elizabeth and Jane demonstrate a strong moral compass,
with Elizabeth upholding her principles and Jane using her work to critique societal norms. Jane's criticism of
societal norms and Elizabeth's rejection of conventional expectations both highlight the fine balance between
individuality and conformity in both real life and the novel. The complexities of the Regency age are reflected in
"Pride and Prejudice" through its realistic characters and in-depth social commentary.
1
HistoryExtra (2022) A survivor's guide to Georgian marriage, HistoryExtra. HistoryExtra. Available at:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/a-survivors-guide-to-georgian-marriage/ (Accessed: January
22, 2023).
2
] Editor. (2019, January 20). Jane Austen's moral vision in pride and prejudice. Retrieved February 3, 2023,
from https://englishliterature.net/notes/jane-austens-moral-vision-in-pride-and-prejudice