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Pride and Prejudice

In: English and Literature

Submitted By hawerchuck
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Dale Ballance
Kearnon Kanne
ENGL 1001, Assignment 4
February 20, 2015

Upon reading Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, I believe the novel reinforces sexist stereotypes of women. One of the things that really struck me was the desire the women had to find themselves a husband. A husband who was wealthy was at the utmost importance for most of the women. A woman could talk bad of another woman in hopes of deterring a man of his interest in a particular woman as to give them a better opportunity that this man would desire them as their wife instead of any other woman.
The very opening words of Pride and Prejudice give the reader their first taste of what to expect: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings of views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.”(Austen 3)
When the reader stops here and really thinks about what they are to expect from reading this novel, one might conclude that there would be some competition. The expectations could be that women may go to great lengths to get what they want. Jane Austen is able to create that initial interest as to the possibility the book will satisfy the readers want for juicy gossip.
We are able to see this transpire when Elizabeth walks three miles to see her sister, who was ill and unable to travel, to the Bingley residence. Jane Austen writes,
“’She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.”
“She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be

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