Literary Criticisms

To begin, one tool that Austen used throughout her novels was expressing her own beliefs, and what she knew from her personal experiences. When she was growing up in England, there was a high presence of English Aristocracy, and in her novel, “Mansfield Park”, she tells the story of a family’s experience in the lavish world. Commodities played a large role in the worlds of the rich, and they often had commodities that outlined their social status because they could control a larger domain. One character fought against these standards and chose her integrity over social status, and these highlighted Jane’s own beliefs.

Additionally, Austen’s “Mansfield Park” was also linked to the British Empire, and this book highlighted the moral and social influence that derived from colonial power. In the novel, there is a focus on a family that owns a sugar plantation, and the power that they possess from it. However, the book shows how dependent the family is on their international authority from this plantation. Austen criticizes the authority that the family has at home and the control that they have abroad. The family does not make it a priority to go to their plantation, but they make it a priority where they live to use this plantation to their advantage. This novel calls attention to how commodities shape a person’s class power.

Next, to create a personable setting in Austen’s novels she often utilizes her surroundings instead of them making up. This creates a recognizable setting for her readers and makes it easier to visualize what is happening in the book. She would often use real street names from areas that she lived in before. She would also have scenes in her book that were in known places. In “Northern Abbey” Austen connected the setting of this story to a place that she lived in at one point in her life, the town of Bath. She was able to reproduce the setting that was actually around her. This reflects her dedication to creating recognizable places for her readers. In her relatable world, it also portrays how realistic and true to age her novels are.

Carrying on, throughout all her novels Austen reveals feminine issues that are happening during the book. She demonstrates how women have little decisions in life, and when they do have decisions, these shape their lives. One of the main decisions in their lives revolves around marriage because this is their means of security. In almost every book marriage is talked about in some way, or it is one of the main issues in the book. In “Mansfield Park” she portrays a corrupt marriage through Maria Bertram. She depicts the negative aspects that marriage can have such as financial gain, social status, and benefits instead of love. However, Fanny Price emphasizes that women can choose their path in life, and are not restricted by societal norms. Fanny shows women that they should not do what is always expected of them, and that they can break the patriarchy. Austen usually has strong women as the main characters in her book, but strong women were not normal during this period, and this was shown through the themes in her novels.

Similarly, more challenges in Austen’s novels come from a patriarchy. In her novels, Austen critiques patriarchies and their structure because they leave women completely dependent on men. Like in “The Pride and Prejudice” Mrs. Bennet is a woman who is seen as silly, and people often ridicule her for her lack of education. This dependency shows that women who are tied to a patriarchal society completely depend on a man. Without one they cannot make a living, and Austen exposes this within her novels. She shows how women are raised to be ornamental for their husbands, all they need to do is be pretty and take care of the house and children. The power that patriarchies possess leaves women powerless and in no control of their futures. Austen often stands up to patriarchies through strong feminist characters.

In addition, Austen elaborates her ideas on feminism by subtle deliveries. Austen is often described as a “literary wallflower” because of her counter-narrative in a field dominated by men. Jane was not the type of author to show her ideas strongly because it was not socially accepted at the time; however, she did deliver her thoughts through comedy, which showed the limited options that women had at the time. After Austen’s father passed, she realized how dependent women were on men. She held men and women to the same level in her novels and showed that she valued intelligence over marriage. She chose this same route in life which further explains her thoughts about a woman’s worth and what they are capable of.

Furthermore, Austen also broadcasts the reality as a woman. She demonstrates that if a woman wants stability in life, she has to be married. The only safe option for the women in her novels is to find a man to marry. In her novels, marriage can be seen as a sacrifice to fit into society. During the periods of her books, women were expected to stay home to tend to the children and house. Austen highlights this in her novels showing the miniscule options that women were given. However, Austen’s heroines advocate for women making their own choices in life, and having more personal freedoms.

Finally, another major idea portrayed in Austen’s novels is social class. Specifically, in Pride and Prejudice, Austen reveals how social class can influence the future. The Bennets are economically vulnerable, and this limits their marriage options. However, Mr. Darcy, an upper-class gentleman, chooses character over a social class. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen sheds light on the fact that marriage and social status are tied together in a system created by economic differences.