Society's Expectations - Jan. 16

Using character(s) as a vehicle, how does Austen illuminate the theme of society's expectations?

Who has the most pressure?

Charlotte - is older
Bennet sisters - no brothers to inherit the family
Jane is the oldest - she needs to be married first (according to society's rules)
Anne de Bourgh - doesn't seem to have to be "accomplished" because of her status
Darcy - people with the most wealth can choose whomever they want
Lady Catherine: "you're content to ruin him" - Darcy does have expectations
Mr. Bingley - has less pressure - wealthy - put not the wealthiest
Men - less pressure of marriage - can choose whomever they like (to some extent)

How much does Lizzy defy society's expectations?

When Lady Catherine comes over - Lizzy stands up for herself: "I am not to be intimidated" [says near the end] - women are supposed to be agreeable [she also stands up to Lady Catherine the first time she visits Rosings]
- Walking everywhere
- Mrs. Bennet talks too much - Mr. Bennet stays in the library - they don't try to defy society's expectations - Lizzy does try to defy [wants to marry for love -doesn't marry the richest man when he proposes the first time]
- Lizzy is vocal about thinking Darcy's rude - compare to how others speak to him [Charlotte says he has a right to be proud]
- Charlotte marries Collins out of prudence - she fits into the expectations - she conforms to society completely
- When Lydia "elopes" - Lizzy is extremely upset - she conforms in this way - when she's ashamed of her family [Darcy's letter] - she conforms
- Being aware of how loudly Mrs. Bennet speaks - this is how Lizzy conforms
- Lizzy defies Lady Catherine by marrying Darcy - but conforming by marrying someone of status - which is expected - but she marries for love

Who most conforms to society's expectations?

-Charlotte: "Happiness in marriage is only a matter of chance" (21)
- Collins - letter about Lydia - (she's better off dead) - he expects Lizzy to reject his offer of marriage because that's just what's done
- Lady Catherine: "she prefers to have the distinction of rank preserved" Collins says when giving advice about what Lizzy should wear
- Lady Catherine has a lot of power - tries to instill society's rules - likes Lizzy to some extent because they both have strong characters - status but no class
- "Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language"
- Lady Catherine can act however she likes since she has the most status
- [is our society like that with famous people?]

How much does money and society's expectations connect?

- Main expectations - to marry someone wit as much status as one can (men and women)
- In a way - the more status one has the more rules - the servant class could probably marry whomever they want - walk around with no comments
- Highest person in society has more freedom [think of how Atticus could risk his reputation and go against society because he has class, wealth, and education]
- "middle class" (lower gentry) doesn't want to risk going down
- Today - corporations have a lot of power (Koch brothers, Elon Musk)

-society pressure - Darcy has pressure to act a certain way - he has security to fall back on



Pride, gender roles