History
Pride and Prejudice takes place during the early 1800s. This time period is significantly different from our own in many ways. The main way that affects our book is the difference in marriage. To be economically stable, a woman had to marry. This was an issue Jane Austen herself experienced. Although she was an author, she depended on her brother to support her. Marriage was considered essential to succeed in the world, especially for women.
Another important aspect of life during this time period was the division of social classes. The rich did not know anything about the life of the poor and it was impossible to move social classes outside of marriage. Even if you married someone outside your class, you would still carry your family's lower social status. Lower class families worked in factories and upper class families did not work at all. Wealthy families lived in rural areas at least half the year and spent spring in London, as shown with the Bingleys in Pride and Prejudice.
Gender roles were also different in the 1800s. Women were essentially the slaves of the men in their life. Since they had no way of supporting themselves, they were at the will of their relatives and their husbands. Women of the upper class didn't even raise their children. Instead, governesses and housekeepers ran the estate. As a result, upper-class women had little to do. They spent all their time gossiping, reading, and playing the piano. This helps set the stage for Jane Austen's characters. Her stories thrive on gossip to create their plots.
Pride and Prejudice takes place during a time of great change in Britain, including reform movements and the industrial revolution. However, this does not affect the upper-class characters that inhabit Austen's book. The most important historical aspects of Pride and Prejudice include gender roles and social classes, which make the framework for the plot.
Another important aspect of life during this time period was the division of social classes. The rich did not know anything about the life of the poor and it was impossible to move social classes outside of marriage. Even if you married someone outside your class, you would still carry your family's lower social status. Lower class families worked in factories and upper class families did not work at all. Wealthy families lived in rural areas at least half the year and spent spring in London, as shown with the Bingleys in Pride and Prejudice.
Gender roles were also different in the 1800s. Women were essentially the slaves of the men in their life. Since they had no way of supporting themselves, they were at the will of their relatives and their husbands. Women of the upper class didn't even raise their children. Instead, governesses and housekeepers ran the estate. As a result, upper-class women had little to do. They spent all their time gossiping, reading, and playing the piano. This helps set the stage for Jane Austen's characters. Her stories thrive on gossip to create their plots.
Pride and Prejudice takes place during a time of great change in Britain, including reform movements and the industrial revolution. However, this does not affect the upper-class characters that inhabit Austen's book. The most important historical aspects of Pride and Prejudice include gender roles and social classes, which make the framework for the plot.