How Does Mr Bennet Present A Lack Of Interest In Pride And Prejudice
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Throughout the novel Mr. Bennet displays a lack of interest in his family’s affairs and feels drained from dealing with his ridiculous wife after years of marriage. Mr. Bennet barely troubles himself with the needs of his daughters and lives almost entirely for his own desires. Jane Austen portrays a complex male figure in Pride and Prejudice through her characterization of Mr. Bennet’s relationship with his wife, daughters, and his financial situation.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennets had been married for twenty-three years. He had been captivated by his wifes '’youth and beauty’', but once he actually got to know her, lost “all real affection for her”. It does not seem that he found comfort in relationships with other women but rather found refuge in his books, and amusement in his wife's ignorance. Within the first chapter of the novel it is clear he is extremely sarcastic, yet his…show more content… Although being part of the gentry because of their family name, the Bennet’s did not have the wealth to back it up. Mr. Bennet's property consisted of only one estate worth a mere two thousand a year. In comparison to Bingley’s estate, which was worth four to five thousand a year. The little they did have, wouldn’t even pass on to his daughters upon his death. It was entailed to their closest male relative Mr. Collins, a distant family member. Entering the marriage he must have been optimistic about having a son and thus failed to save enough money to support his wife or daughters after his death. Mrs. Bennet dreaded the day she and her daughters would be cast out of their estate. While Mr. Bennet mad joke of the situation: “my dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things.” Mr. Bennet has little regard for the possible loss of his family’s estate. He shows little interest towards his daughters need to find husbands and even less concern for the fact that Mr. Collins was set to inherit