Pride And Prejudice Context wjec-eduqas 19th-Century-Prose

Pride and Prejudice historical context

The novel was published in 1813 and is set during the Regency period, a period marked by the reign of King George IV.

• King George III’s mental illness led to the establishment of the Regency in 1811, with his son ruling as Prince Regent:

  • This period marked political instability and a shift in power dynamics within the monarchy

• Britain was involved in the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) against France, which impacted the economy, politics and society:

  • The militia was a critical part of British defence during this period

• During the Regency Period, aristocracy was not solely determined by noble lineage:

  • Instead, being accepted by the ruling class often hinged on demonstrating that wealth had been acquired in a gentlemanly manner 

Pride and Prejudice social context

Gender

• Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice anonymously:

  • Austen signed her work as written “by a lady” or “from the writer of Sense and Sensibility”, an earlier novel

• It was frowned upon for women to write novels at that time and she feared society’s prejudice towards her

• Austen lived in the early 19th century, a patriarchal society, where women had limited rights:

  • Women did not have the right to own properties or businesses 

  • Men had the power to make decisions 

  • Women were not as educated in the same way as men; they were taught basic literacy skills, manners and etiquette, and how to run a household

• The novel effectively illustrates what life was like for women in rural England during the early 19th century:

  • Austen’s female characters are depicted as financially dependent on male characters and their primary focus is the home, family and marriage

• From the first sentence of the novel, it is clear that a woman must secure a good future by marrying a wealthy husband in this historical context:

  • Marriage for women leads to respectability and financial security

Social class 

• During the late 18th century (when the novel was written) and the early 19th century (when the novel was published), English society had distinct social classes based on social rank and wealth:

  • Characters are often judged based on their social standing and connections

• Jane Austen’s social status was the same as the Bennets’ status in the novel:

  • Her family were upper middle class, known as the “gentry”

  • They were considered eligible to mix with the upper classes but were beneath them in wealth and consequence

Pride and Prejudice literary context

Realism in 19th-century novels

• Realism is a literary genre that presents stories that are realistic, ordinary and deal with everyday life

• Jane Austen provides a realistic depiction of the social structures and hierarchies of her time:

  • The novel explores the lives of different social classes, from the gentry like the Bennet family to the nobility, represented by characters like Lady Catherine 

• The characters in the novel are realistically drawn, each with different personalities, flaws and qualities:

  • Their behaviour, speech and motivations are intricately developed, contributing to a believable narrative

• Austen realistically portrays the courtship and marriage customs of 19th-century English society:

  • The characters’ thoughts on financial stability, social status and compatibility in their pursuit of marriage reflect the realities of the time

• The writer incorporates realistic settings, such as rural England, the town of Meryton, and the estate of Pemberley:

  • These locations contribute to the novel’s authenticity and provide a realistic backdrop