Women during this century were not treated as equals but rather means of gaining more land and power for the family through wealth. Even for Elizabeth, her inherence was taken away to be given to a male relative simply to save the family name. During the same time, with the publication of Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft, women were encouraged to be treated equal. Although Elizabeth is not independent and relies on Mr. Darcy financially by marrying him, she has a strong stance on her rights and being equally smart as men.
The overall focus on marriage, women equality, and slight mentions of war all are how history of the time period affected the Jane Austen and her novel, Pride and Prejudice.
Magazine / June, 2014 5
Although Pride and Prejudice pervades a sense of peace and calm, there were a slight mention of war and unease in the novel. Although officers in the novel were treated more as possible suitors than real military men ready for war, they were present throughout the novel. Wickham, the main antagonist, was also an officer. Jane Austin did not implicate much about war in her novels perhaps because she was removed from the war. Back during that era, war was far removed from the civilians. They did not have radios, TV, or even a quick means of getting information about the war. Even though Jane Austin wrote several of her books during a war era, since she personally did not see much of the war, she did not write as much about it.