Feminism

It is possible to argue that Pride and Prejudice is anti-feminist. Women are portrayed as hysterical figures without an original thought and the single-minded pursuit of a wealthy husband (Mrs. Bennet being a prime example of this). However, in Austen’s depiction of Elizabeth as a strong willed, intelligent, independent woman to whom good things eventually arrive, the novel takes on a feminist tone. Through Elizabeth, the point is made that women do not have to be meek creatures in order to attract a man – one of the few measures of success for women at the time.