Elizabeth Bennet Character Analysis

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I. Historical Aspects in Relation to Elizabeth Bennet’s Behavior It seems a ‘truth universally acknowledged’ that Elizabeth Bennet from the classic Pride and Prejudice is a prevalent feminist icon. Critics, readers, and avid blog writers alike have hailed her as the biggest feminist inspiration of 19th century English Literature for decades. (quote a secondary source here) I don't entirely disagree with this popular viewpoint, for the time of the novel Elizabeth is outspoken and defies the social norm. However, I believe we can still shed some new light on this popular and overly examined novel. By applying Austen’s personal background, historical background, and looking at the plethora of irony, laughter, and comedy used in this work, it is possible to come to the conclusion that this is a work of satire. First, the time period in which Pride and Prejudice was written in is certainly a critical factor in our discussion of this novel. As such, the relating the history of the Victorian Era compared to the representation of that society in this novel will be thoroughly examined. Jane Austen was born in 1775 and…show more content…
It was largely considered a masculine trait. For women to openly laugh or make jokes was considered obscene. Casal also explores this historical aspect;“A certain amount of raillery or good-humored ridicule might be part of social intercourse, but the laughter that comes from wit was suspect in women. Unlike the gentler, more benevolent laughter associated with “humor,” the laughter of “wit” is aggressive. Wit implies the ability to be critical. In her readiness to laugh at what she calls the “‘follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies’” of those around her (57), Elizabeth is defying social conventions that linked femininity with passivity.” (Casal, 1). Thus, Casal insists there is a link in this novel with laughter and the idea of defying social
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