In the novel Lady Susan, Austen employs a patriarchal society and social advantages ultimately illustrating how deception can be a tool to manipulate others around them.

Austen initially utilizes romantic manipulation in order to demonstrate how women rely on men for their futures. Lady Susan relied heavily on men for her prosperity in her life, and she did not stay with the same man for very long. One of the gentlemen that she tried to manipulate, was weary of her due to negative rumors he had heard of her. However, Lady Susan was able to diminish these rumors of herself through her acting like a victim of slander. Because Lady Susan knows that she cannot live without a man providing for her, she goes to great lengths for protection to happen. For example, she would often lie to them to alter others' perspectives of her. Consequently, this dependence is the catalyst of her lying and not being truthful to others so she can survive. She resorts to means of manipulation, and twisting truths to conform to her ideal image. Her self image is essential to the men because she is what hooks them. Therefore, Lady Susan’s means of romantic deception stem from the patriarchal society that she lives in, and instead of changing the society, she finds its weaknesses by extorting the men that she creates relationships with. In addition to deceiving men, Lady Susan also orchestrated her daughter’s future and prosperity. Lady Susan also pushed the idea that women are financially dependent on men. Frederica, Lady Susan’s daughter, objected to the idea of her mother encouraging her romantic life. Because Lady Susan was trying to intervene in her daughter’s romantic life, her intervention shows how important the issue of her daughter's future was to her. Lady Susan tries to set her daughter up with a man who is seen as silly, but he has financial security. Consequently, the focus that Lady Susan sees out of her daughter’s possible groom highlights what is important to Lady Susan in men. She sees men as a financial transaction, and as a personal gain. She also orchestrated the marriage out of her own interests and not her daughters. Therefore, Lady Susan’s romantic deception stems from her fear of financial concerns, and she utilizes her manipulation to help herself. 

Lady Susan also uses her deception to propel herself in society. Lady Susan also lives in a society where one’s reputation is prioritized over one’s integrity. Additionally, her sister- in- law is suspicious about Lady Susan, and her intentions but lets them go because of how Lady Susan changed the narrative. Because Lady Susan’s sister inlaw disregards her initial gut feeling of Lady Susan, due to Lady Susan’s manipulation, this highlights how people look at one’s perception instead of facts. Consequently, her sister- in-law was ultimately right about her gut feelings regarding Lady Susan. She is not a truthful woman, and she was exposed from her discrepancies. She was exposed because she was not able to control others and how they perceived her. Therefore, Lady Susan’s eventual downfall highlights how in society people often base their ideas of people off of their looks, and not how they are as a person. Her downfall also demonstrates how people in society rise through their image, and not who they are as a person. Moreover, Lady Susan’s fake image propels her to the top of society by dating high class men. Lady Susan is able to craft an image of herself effortlessly to others. People in her society know how manipulative she is, but she still manages to con people. She presents herself as a caring woman who just lost her husband. However, her truth is that she is running away from an affair that she was caught in. Because of the facade that Lady Susan presents, it allows for her victims to fall to her deception. She sets up a poor image of herself to help her criticise people that are weary of her. Consequently, her grieving role is tied to the lies that she created. It causes others to feel sorry for her, and they begin to let their guard down. Therefore, Lady Susan uses other naivety to her advantage, and begins her deception on others for her own personal gain. 

Ultimately, Lady Susan is an extremely manipulative person due to the patriarchal society that she lives in. She uses a facade to deceive people about her true personality, and uses people to advance herself within society. Her intentionally deceiving others highlights how she sees others as a business transaction, and what she can gain from others.

In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen employs sacrifice in order to convey Elizabeth Bennet’s devotion to her personal integrity rather than societal expectations, ultimately illustrating that true happiness derives from staying true to oneself rather than societal conformation.

Jane Austen initially employs sacrifice in order to demonstrate Elizabeth Bennet’s refusal to conform to society. Mr Collins is a very wealthy man in Elizabeth’s town. He proceeds to propose to Eliabeth because he believes that she would be a good wife. However, Elizabeth denies her hand in marriage, and continues to be single without financial security. This can be seen as a problem  because the Bennets have no male heirs, and they will lose their residence once Mr. Bennetts pass. Because Mr Collins is an heir to a very rich family, if Elizabeth accepted his proposal she would be financially secure, and her family would be able to stay in their home after her dad passes. Consequently, Elizabeth’s personal choice not only affects her, it affects her family’s future. Nevertheless, Elizabeth will not marry Mr Collins because she does not respect him, and marrying him would go against her morals. This instills that she believes that marriage should not just be solely based on financial security. Therefore, the choice that Elizabeth makes highlights Austen’s belief that marriage should be based on how compatible a couple is and not their economic situation. This belief demonstrates how personal values should not be sacrificed for economic gain. After her rejection of Mr Collins, Elizabeth again faces a marital decision with Mr. Darcy, and his proposal highlights the duality of sacrifice: societal expectations and staying true to one’s feelings. Elizabeth meets a very wealthy man name Mr. Darcy, and she turns his head toward her. Mr Darcy’s wealth leaves him narrow minded to lower class citizens. Due to this Elizabeth again rejects another man, but now it is because of one’s ignorance. Because Elizabeth denies Mr. Darcy’s initial offer despite his high standing in society, she does this for her personal reasons. She does not believe that Mr. Darcy possesses the true character that is worthy of marriage. Since she perceives him as someone who is arrogant and not compassionate of others, she chooses to value her morals over her material gain from marrying him. Thus, the refusal from Elizabeth juxtaposes the societal standard that women must obtain a man’s hand for financial gain, and not regard to their personal beliefs. So, when Elizabeth rejects Darcy this highlights her sacrifice to stay true to herself, and not conform to society's standards. 

Elizabeth’s initial sacrifices turn out to become the ultimate reward. Jane Austen additionally employs sacrifice in order to demonstrate that sacrifice will lead to one’s growth. Elizabeth rejects two hands in marriage, Mr Collins and Mr Darcy. Both of these rejectments highlight her embedded commitment of personal integrity over society’s expectations. These decisions lead to a more fulfilling opportunity as Elizabeth grows. Because Elizabeth expands her nature on love and respect, she realizes that these two important values of hers can both exist in a relationship when both parties have mutual respect. Consequently, Mr. Darcy grows and begins to show his true character, and Elizabeth can see his priorities are changing. After Mr. Darcy’s changes, Elizabeth accepts his hand in marriage but not for the economical gain, her romantic gain. Therefore, Elizabeth’s sacrifices at the beginning lead  to her eventual marriage where she is respected. Her sacrifices lead her to a companionship that was built from equality opposed to financial or societal expectations.  Elizabeth's sacrifices are also a representation of Austen’s personal beliefs. When this book was written it was the 19th century, and women had no value in society. They were not allowed to own property, and their whole existence relied on men. Society was truly patriarchal. Through the facade of Elizabeth Bennet, Austen challenges the paradox that marriage has to be transactional. Since Elizabeth gains both of her wants, love and stability, this pushes Austen’s notion that personal value should be held above financial security. Thus, the character Elizabeth Bennet serves as a powerful symbol for sacrificing societal expectations for one’s self respect and personal integrity. 

Ultimately, Elizabeth Bennet's decisions made in Pride and Prejudice highlight a patriarchal society where a woman’s values are put over the needs of financial security. By initially rejecting two bachelors, she puts her economic life in danger. Elizabeth’s sacrifices demonstrate the importance of remaining to one’s virtue over material lifestyles.