1987 AP exam essay #2

*My first try on this essay somehow manage to completely disappear, so I rewrote it and I will admit that this is not nearly as good as the first but it is better than nothing, right?

The novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen seems to advocate the social attitudes and traditions. The novel shows that Jane Austen was trying to alter the class identity of women in the 18^th century. The reader sees that Elizabeth Bennett’s views on marriage are much different than the other women characters in the novel. She bases marriage off of love while the other women, like Mrs. Bennett are based off of reputation and wealth.

Jane Austen uses the character Elizabeth to modify the social traditions of women in the 18^th century. Typically, women are dependent on their husband so they choose the men they marry based on their wealth and success. Reputation also played a big role in this society. Elizabeth’s character rebels against these classic standards. She refuses Mr. Collins marriage proposal because she did not love him. This causes great uproar and her mother is furious. She eventually marries Mr. Darcy who has a bad reputation, but she does truly love him and that is all that matters for her. While on the other hand, her friend, Charlotte, accepts Mr. Collins marriage proposal because she believes that he will provide for her and he needs a wife.

Austen also uses characterization to emphasize Elizabeth’s differences from the other females in “Pride and Prejudice.” The reader learns on the opening pages of the novel that Mrs. Bennett wishes for all of her daughters to marry a wealthy man that will provide for them. Mrs. Bennett’s materialism shapes Elizabeth’s character into one that admirable. Austen exaggerates Mrs. Bennett’s character to highlight the positive qualities of Elizabeth’s.

Changes in social attitudes are supported in the novel “Pride and Prejudice.” Austen used characterization to alter the usual traditions of the 18^th century into what she desired and believed in.