Analysis Feminism

By

Febrina Praharsini

4516051023

English Department

Faculty of Letter

Bosowa University

2018/2019
 Chapter I

A. Background

Prose is a form of language that exhibits a natural flow of speech and grammatical
structure rather than a regular rhythmic structure as in traditional poetry, where the common unit
of verse is based on metre or rhyme. Though, as T. S. Eliot noted, while "the distinction
between verse and prose is clear, the distinction between poetry and prose is obscure".
Developments in modern literature, including free verse and prose poetry have tended to blur any
differences. Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs (1995:2) classify prose into two, fiction prose
and nonfiction prose. Fiction, originally meant anything made up or shaped, is prose stories based
on the author’s creation and imagination. It includes myths, parables, novels, romances, and short
stories. On the other hand, nonfiction is literary works which describe or interpret facts, present
judgments, and opinions. It consists of news reports, essays, magazines, newspapers,
encyclopedias, broadcast media, films, letters, historical and biographical works and many other
forms of communication.

A novel (from the Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new", "news", or "short
story of something new") today is a long narrative in literary prose. Novel is the further
development of romance. A novel is defined as a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length
and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action
and scenes. Richard Taylor in Understanding the Elements of Literature (1981:46) explains that a
novel is normally a prose work of quite some length and complexity which attempts to reflect and
express something of the equality or value of human experience or conduct.

Feminism is the notion or belief that women are truly part of the human realm, not from others
who demand equality with men in every aspect of life, regardless of their nature and nature. This
equality is usually referred to as gender equality.

Many writers use novel to share their ideas on something. An English novelist, Austen shares
her ideas about feminism in her novel entitled Pride and Prejudice which is first published in 1813.
The story highlights the problems of treatment toward women in the era. According to Langermann
and Brantley (in Ritzer and Goodman, 2004) women are treated differently in society; they
experience gender difference, gender inequality, gender oppression, and structural oppression.
Because of the problems, feminist brought her idea about feminism. In addition, Sandbach in an
article entitled “Society Versus the Individual: Feminism at Work in Pride and Prejudice” (2008)
says that Elizabeth, the main character of Pride and Prejudice is a perfect example of a feminist
character.

B. Objective of Research

Describe Feminism in AUSTEN’S NOVEL “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE”

C. Significance of Research

The writer hopes that this article will be useful for readers interested in learning English
Literature and feminism. And also The writer hopes that this article Being useful information for
other researchers who analyze literature, so that the results of this study can be information material
for similar research in the future.
 Chapter II

A. Previous Study

The journal entitled Feminism Analysis in Austen's Novel "Pride and Prejudice" aims
to find issues of feminism in the novel and analyze the effects of feminism experienced by the
main actors. Analysis using qualitative methods and Modern Feminist Theory from Langermann
and Brantley (in Ritzer and Goodmann, 2004) was applied in this study. The results of this study
are findings from issues of feminism due to gender inequality which can be seen from the
inheritance rights system which is limited to male heirs and the issue of the lack of opportunities
for women to actualize themselves. From the actions taken by the main actors in dealing with
gender inequality, the main actors have succeeded in calling for Liberal Feminism that supports
gender equality.

B. Feminism Theory
1.1 Definition

Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical, fictional,

or philosophical discourse. It aims to understand the nature of gender inequality. It examines
women's and men's social roles, experiences, interests, chores, and feminist politics in a variety of
fields, such as anthropology and sociology, communication, media studies, psychoanalysis, home
economics, literature, education, and philosophy

Feminist theory focuses on analyzing gender inequality. Themes explored in feminism

include discrimination, objectification (especially sexual
objectification), oppression, patriarchy, stereotyping, art history and contemporary
art, and aesthetics.

1.2 History

Feminist theories first emerged as early as 1794 in publications such as A Vindication of

the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft, "The Changing Woman", "Ain't I a
Woman", "Speech after Arrest for Illegal Voting", and so on. "The Changing Woman" is
a Navajo Myth that gave credit to a woman who, in the end, populated the world. In
1851, Sojourner Truth addressed women's rights issues through her publication, "Ain't I a
Woman". Sojourner Truth addressed the issue of women having limited rights due to men's flawed
perception of women. Truth argued that if a woman of color can perform tasks that were
supposedly limited to men, then any woman of any color could perform those same tasks. After
her arrest for illegally voting, Susan B. Anthony gave a speech within court in which she addressed
the issues of language within the constitution documented in her publication, "Speech after Arrest
for Illegal voting" in 1872. Anthony questioned the authoritative principles of the constitution and
its male gendered language. She raised the question of why women are accountable to be punished
under law but they cannot use the law for their own protection (women could not vote, own
property, nor themselves in marriage). She also critiqued the constitution for its male gendered
language and questioned why women should have to abide by laws that do not specify women.

C. Synopsis

The novel opens with Mrs. Bennet trying to persuade Mr. Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley,
a rich bachelor who has arrived in the neighbourhood. After some verbal sparring with Mr. Bennet
baiting his wife, she believes he will not visit. A little while later, he does make the visit to
Netherfield, Mr. Bingley's rented house, much to the delight of Mrs Bennet and her daughters. The
visit is followed by an invitation to a ball at the local assembly rooms that the whole
neighbourhood will attend.

At the ball, Mr. Bingley is open and cheerful, popular with all the guests and appears
to be very attracted to Miss Jane Bennet (the Bennets' eldest daughter), with whom he dances
twice. His friend Mr. Darcy is reputed to be twice as wealthy; he is haughty and aloof and his
manners cause everyone to turn from interest to a decided dislike of him. He declines to dance
with Elizabeth, stating that she is not pretty enough to tempt him.[4]She finds this amusing and
jokes about it with her sisters. Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline, later invites Jane to visit.

When Jane visits Miss Bingley, she is caught in a rain shower on the way and comes
down with a bad cold. Elizabeth visits the ill Jane at Netherfield. There Darcy begins to be attracted
to Elizabeth, while Miss Bingley becomes jealous, as she has designs on Darcy herself

Mr. Collins, a cousin of Mr. Bennet and heir to the Longbourn estate, visits the Bennet family. He
is a pompous and obsequious clergyman who intends to marry one of the Bennet girls. When he
learns that Jane may be engaged to Mr. Bingley, he quickly decides to propose to Elizabeth, as the
next in both age and beauty.

Elizabeth and her family meet the dashing and charming George Wickham, who singles
out Elizabeth and tells her how Mr. Darcy deprived him of a living (position as clergyman in a
prosperous parish with good revenue that, once granted, is for life) promised to him by Mr. Darcy's
late father. Elizabeth's dislike of Mr. Darcy is confirmed.[4]

At a ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth dances with Mr. Darcy. Other than Jane and Elizabeth, several
members of the Bennet family show a distinct lack of decorum. Mrs. Bennet hints loudly that she
fully expects Jane and Bingley to become engaged, and the younger Bennet sisters expose the
family to ridicule.

Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him, to the fury of her mother and the
relief of her father. Shortly after, they receive news that the Bingleys are suddenly leaving for
London with no plans to return. After his humiliating rejection by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins proposes
to Charlotte Lucas, a sensible young woman and Elizabeth's friend. Charlotte is slightly older and
is grateful to receive a proposal that will guarantee her a comfortable home. Elizabeth is aghast at
such pragmatism in matters of love. Heartbroken, Jane goes to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner
at an unfashionable address in London. There, it becomes clear that Miss Bingley does not want
to resume their friendship and Jane is upset, though very composed.

In the spring, Elizabeth visits Charlotte and Mr. Collins in Kent. Elizabeth and her hosts
are invited to Rosings Park, the imposing home of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, patroness of Mr.
Collins and Mr. Darcy's wealthy aunt. She expects Mr. Darcy to marry her daughter. Mr. Darcy
and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, are also visiting at Rosings Park. Fitzwilliam tells Elizabeth
how Mr. Darcy managed to save a friend from a bad match. Elizabeth realises the story must refer
to Jane and is horrified that Darcy has interfered. Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth declaring his
love for her. She rejects him angrily, stating that she could not love a man who has caused her
sister such unhappiness and further accuses him of treating Mr. Wickham unjustly. The latter
accusation angers Mr. Darcy and he accuses her family of lacking propriety and suggests he has
been kinder to Bingley than to himself.

Later, Mr. Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter, explaining that Mr. Wickham had refused the
living and was given money for it instead. Wickham proceeded to waste the money and when
impoverished, asked for the living again. After being refused, he tried to elope with Darcy's 15-
year-old sister, Georgiana, for her large dowry. Darcy also writes that he believed Jane, because
of her reserved behaviour, did not love Mr. Bingley. Darcy apologises for hurting Jane and
Elizabeth.

Elizabeth tells her father that Darcy was responsible for uniting Lydia and Wickham,
one of the two earliest illustrations of Pride and Prejudice. The clothing styles reflect the time the
illustration was engraved (the 1830s), not the time in which the novel was written or set.

Some months later, Elizabeth and the Gardiners visit Darcy's estate in Derbyshire,
Pemberley (after Elizabeth ascertains that the owner will not be there). On a tour, Elizabeth hears
the housekeeper describe him as being kind and generous. When Mr. Darcy returns unexpectedly,
he is exceedingly gracious and later invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to meet his sister and Mr.
Gardiner to go fishing. Elizabeth is surprised and delighted by their treatment. She then suddenly
receives news that her sister Lydia had eloped with Mr. Wickham. She tells Mr. Darcy immediately
and departs in haste, believing she will never see him again since Lydia's disgrace has ruined the
family's good name.

After an agonising wait, Mr. Wickham is somehow persuaded to marry Lydia. With
some veneer of decency restored, Lydia visits her family and tells Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was at
her wedding. Mrs. Gardiner informs Elizabeth that it is Mr. Darcy who made the match, at great
expense and trouble to himself and hints that he may have "another motive" for doing so.

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy return to Netherfield and Bingley proposes to Jane who
accepts him. Lady Catherine, having heard rumours that Elizabeth intends to marry Darcy, visits
Elizabeth and demands that she promise not to accept his proposal. Elizabeth refuses and the
outraged Lady Catherine leaves. Darcy, heartened by Elizabeth's response, again proposes to her
and is accepted. Elizabeth has difficulty in convincing her father that she is marrying for love, not
position and wealth but in the end Mr. Bennet is convinced.
 Chapter III
A. Finding
1.1 Feminism in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE novel
 Mrs. Bennet : Oh! My dear, I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of
that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should
be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should
have tried long ago to do something or other about it. (Austen, 1984: 83).

Analysis: According to Langermann and Brantley (in Ritzer and Goodmann, 2004) men and
women are situated in the society not only differently but also unequally. The unequal treatment
in the novel of Pride and Prejudice can be seen in the system of entailment. The main character
faces the system of entailment, It can be supported by the statement of Mrs. Bennet “I do think it
is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children”
this rule of society forces the main character to marry her cousin to keep her estate and secure her
family in economic problem as her parents do not have a son. In addition, according to Langermann
and Brantley (in Ritzer and Goodmann, 2004) women get less of material resources. By the system
of entailment, it can be seen that woman is dependent on the property owned by her husband.
However, Elizabeth refuses the proposal of her cousin, as she does not want to marry him for
material interests.

 Elizabeth : I do assure you sir, that I have no pretension whatever to that kind of
elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the
compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you
have done me in your proposal, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My
feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an
elegant female intending to plague you, but a rational creature speaking the truth from
her heart. (Austen, 1984:148)

Analysis: According to Langermann and Brantley (in Ritzer and Goodmann, 2004) Liberal
Feminism claims gender equality. The appeal of Liberal Feminism is the values of individualism,
choice, freedom, and equality of opportunity. In addition, Mill in International Journal titled John
Stuart Mill and Individual Liberty (2009) stated that an atmosphere of a freedom was necessary to
assure all people opportunity to develop their individuality and women have the same right as men
to develop their individuality. The main character said “I would rather be paid the compliment of
being believed sincere” to express her freedom in expressing her individuality as she has spoken
honestly about her feelings. By saying “My feelings in every respect forbid it” she strengthens her
individualism developed as she bravely shows her refusal to a man she does not love and the
statement “Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but a rational
creature speaking the truth from her heart” definitely expresses her freedom in expressing herself
as woman who has moral and right to speak and do what she has to do to develop herself as a
human being.

B. Conclusion
Issues of feminism in the novel were because of gender inequality that could be seen in the
system of entailment and the lack of opportunity of selfactualization. The system of entailment in
Pride and Prejudice was the future restriction of ownership of family estate to particular
descendants. It was limited to male heirs. As Mr. Bennet does not have a son, his estate was
entailed to Mr. Collins. Woman acquires less of opportunity for doing self actualization as a
woman faced the issue of matchmaking to secure family’s economy; therefore, woman cannot
freely choose her spouse and is always dependent on family choice.
The main character could face the issues of feminism and she experienced the effects of
feminism in which she had successfully conveyed liberal feminism which supported the right of
women in value of individualism, choice, freedom, and equality in opportunity. The effect of
feminism in system of entailment was the claim of individualism in expressing the right to choose
and determine her own life though she experienced quarrel with her mother. The effect of feminism
in self-actualization was the claim of individualism as she can develop her individuality by
speaking frankly about her feelings and she also expresses her freedom in expressing herself as
woman who has moral and right to speak and do what she has to do to develop herself as a human
being.