Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the novel "Pride and Prejudice," written by Jane Austen. The paper focuses on analyzing the social prejudice of the time, in terms of gender as well as class and status distinctions. It then discusses the concept of gender stereotypes as a part of the social norms and values of the society. The paper finally examines whether "Pride and Prejudice" reinforces or erodes sexist stereotypes of women.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, there are two central aspects that have been emphasized in answer to the question, 'Does Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice reinforce or erode sexist stereotypes of women?' In the first instance Jane Austen explores and reveals the nature and extent of the prejudice against women in the society. Rather than endorsing female stereotypes she exposes them through characters like her mother. Secondly, through her main female characters like Elizabeth the author presents women who have strong views and opinions and who are independent and certainly cannot be described as stereotypical. On the other hand Austen is continually aware that characters like Elizabeth Bennet have to live in a certain social milieu and that she is bound to a certain extent by social stereotypes of the time. Therefore in the final analysis this argument leads to the view that Pride and Prejudice erodes and works against female stereotypes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. Kinsley, James. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Kubitschek, Missy Dehn. "Truths Universally Acknowledged: Stereotypes of Women in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813)." Women in Literature : Reading Through the Lens of Gender /. Ed. Jerilyn Fisher and Ellen S. Silber. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2003. 237-239. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=102159011>.
• Morrison, Sarah R. "Of Woman Borne: Male Experience and Feminine Truth in Jane Austen's Novels." Studies in the Novel 26.4 (1994): 337+. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000287328>.
• Women in Literature : Reading Through the Lens of Gender . Ed. Jerilyn Fisher and Ellen S. Silber. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2003. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=102158737>.

Visitors who viewed this Book Review also liked these:

• Book Review # 25727 : "Pride and Prejudice" and Character Traits"
• Book Review # 104252 : "Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
• Book Review # 97319 : "Pride and Prejudice"--A Review"
• Book Review # 93711 : "Pride and Prejudice"--an Analysis"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: