Femininity in Eighteenth-Century England Essay - 1667 Words

Concepts of femininity in eighteenth-century England guided many young women, forging their paths for a supposed happy future. However, these set concepts and resulting ideas of happiness were not universal and did not pertain to every English woman, as seen in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. The novel follows the Bennet sisters on their quest for marriage, with much of it focusing on the two oldest sisters, Jane and Elizabeth. By the end, three women – Jane, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas – are married. However, these three women differ greatly in their following of feminine concepts, as well as their attitude towards marriage. Austen foils Jane, Charlotte, and Elizabeth’s personas and their pursuits of†¦show more content†¦One of the most important traits a woman could have was modesty, as it was also a symbol of her chastity. Tague states that nothing could be so graceful and becoming as modesty in wom en, that it was their â€Å"brightest and most valuble ornament† (Tague 34). A model eighteenth-century Englishwoman would have a â€Å"modest reserve, that retiring delicacy, which avoids the public eye†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Gregory 405). Once again, Jane acts accordingly. Though she is known as the fairest of the Bennet sisters, Jane does not flaunt her beauty or throw herself into the public eye for attention like her flirtatious younger sister, Lydia. For Jane, abiding by the concepts of femininity is part of her identity. Her actions and words are sincere and honest, as if being a proper lady was just being her natural self. Therefore, her happiness would be also fulfilled if she achieved happiness by society’s standards. For being such a soft-spoken, lovely woman, Jane Bennet follows the concepts of eighteenth-century femininity and is most like the ideal eighteenth-century English woman. Not only does her character follow rules, but Jane’s marriage to Mr.Bingley also shows obedience to the perceptions of femininity in her time. Jane’s choice of a husband is as much of a perfect gentleman as she is a perfect lady; he is â€Å"what a young man ought to be†¦sensitive, good-humoured, [and] lively†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Austen 53). However, following the rules too closely hurt Jane’s prospects. Her intenseShow MoreRelatedWomen s First Wave Of Feminism Essay1555 Words   |  7 Pagesthey were established. Starting with the late eighteenth century, which marks the transition from pre-industrialization to the emergence of economic development in Europe, and then closely following with the American Industrial Revolution. 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