Jane Austen and Her Feminism Essay

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Jane Austen and Her Feminism ---analyzing of feminism revealed in Pride and Prejudice
Introduction
It is universally acknowledged that Jane Austen was a major woman novelist in English; but it is also a truth that almost as universally ignored that Jane Austen was a feminist. By intensively reading her six novels (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion) and studying feminism, I have found some significant and fresh things. I consider Jane as a feminist writer, her works as a challenge to the old English convention. My thesis will analyze her feminism which is revealed in Pride and Prejudice.

1. Brief introduction of Pride and Prejudice Pride and …show more content…
She was an excellent wife and fulfilled her duty well.

2.2 Women Should Try to Fight against the Feudal Code of Ethics and Learn Knowledge In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen also strongly approves the idea that women should try to fight against the feudal code of ethics and learn knowledge. For example, when Mr.Collins asked Elizabeth to marry him, Elizabeth rejected him determinedly. She knew clearly that Mr.Collins did not love her, what he wanted was just find a wife to set an example of matrimony in his parish as a clergyman. And also Mr.Collins always mentioned his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine, who urged him to find a girl and got married. Liza understood that there were no love between her and Mr.Collins, it was ridiculous to marry a man who you don't love. Liza’s behavior was a challenge to the feudal code of ethics. In 19th century in England, the position of women was very low. Women’s freedom was controlled by men and some social convention. It was very uncommon for a girl to reject man’s proposal. However, Elizabeth did it and got succeed. From Elizabeth’s behavior, we can find the consciousness of Jane Austen’s feminism. From the description of Elizabeth and Mr.Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, we can notice that Jane Austen has mentioned the importance of reading for many times. At the first conversation between Elizabeth and Mr.Darcy, elizabeth emphasized that reading is important for a person, only reading can broaden our mind. And when
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