《傲慢与偏见》—从伊丽莎白的性格塑造看简·奥斯汀的女性主义思想摘要简·奥斯丁是十八世纪末、十九世纪初的现实批评小说家。
《傲慢与偏见》是她的代表作。
小说生动地反映了18世纪末到19世纪初处于保守和闭塞状态下的英国乡镇生活和世态人情。
简·奥斯丁作为那个时代的女性主义启蒙者和倡导者,在其作品《傲慢与偏见》中成功地塑造了具有时代反叛精神的女主人公形象伊丽莎白。
奥斯丁首次尝试探讨了妇女的处境和地位,主张妇女人格独立和平等权利,表现出进步的思想。
她对女性主义的关怀无疑为整个女性文学的发展作出了开拓性的贡献。
关键词：《傲慢与偏见》，简·奥斯丁，女性主义，伊丽莎白Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen's feminism reflected inthe portraying Elizabeth's personalityAbstractPride and Prejudice is the masterpiece of Jane Austen, the English critical realistic writer in late 18th century and early 19th century. In this work, Austen as an enlightener and initiator of feminism at that time, successfully create the most attractive heroine image— Elizabeth, who possesses a rebel spirit of that time. For the first time Austen tried inquiring into feminine situation and status, and showed her advance in ideas through advocating feminine independence in personality and equal rights with man. With no doubt that her caring of feminism made pioneering contribution to the development of female literature.Keywords: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, feminism, Elizabeth's personalityContentsⅠIntroduction (4)1.1 A brief introduction about JaneAusten (4)1.2 A brief introduction about Pride andPrejudice (5)ⅡJane Austen's feminism reflected in Elizabeth's Personality (6)2.1 Elizabeth in Pride andPrejudice (6)2.2 Austen's feminism: advancing idea of equality between man and women (7)2.3 Austen's feminism: contempt for the feudal and traditional restrain of female (8)2.4 Austen's feminism: disapproval of the people's unfair ideas about marriage (9)ⅢConclusion (10)Bibliography....................................................................................................................11 Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................12Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen's feminism reflected inthe portraying Elizabeth's personalityⅠIntroduction1.1 A brief introduction about Jane AustenJane Austen, who wrote the most classic works, is generally hailed as the real great novelist of 20th century by critics and Literary historians. She was born in a British little town of a family pastor, and led a peaceful and well-off villeggiatura life. Jane was the sixth of her brothers and sisters. She received no school education, but taught by her father at home instead. Jane had a great passion on reading and writing, and entertained herself with writing stories even at eleven or twelve. Jane was not married all her life. She died at 1817, when she was only 41, and buried at Winchester Cathedral.She had six famous works, Sense and Sensibility, published in 1811; Pride and Prejudice in 1813; Mansfield Park in 1814; Emma in 1815; Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, published after she died in 1818. Among those six novels, Pride and Prejudice was acknowledged as the most popular one and Emma as the most mature one.Jane Austen was the first novelist who realistically portrayed ordinary charactersin daily life. As lived in country town, she was familiar with middle and small landlords, clergymen and their peaceful and easeful living environment. Her works focused on life's comedy of the middle class in Britain, and proved the possibility of "household" literature. With the exquisite observation, typical of women, she pictured the marriage and love between gentlemen and ladies vividly. She explored the self-discovery process from love affairs to marriage of young heroines for many times, which made her novels break away from the tradition of 18th century but close to the modern life. This modernity, in addition her wit and humour, realism and sympathy, artful plot structure, made her works appeal to readers all the time.She sneered at people's stupidity, selfishness, snobbishness, conceit and some other ignorant, ridiculous foibles in her works through comedic scenes. Her special writing style succeed to and developed the realism tradition of British in 1700's, made preparation for the climax of realistic novels in 19th century as well. Her works are like windows, through which people can see the general social formation and the ways of the world. She played a role of transition in British literature history, and was treated equally with Shakespeare.1.2 A brief introduction about Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice was the masterpiece of Jane Austen. This book adopted daily life as writing material, vividly presented the fact of life and human relationship of British town under a conservative and blocking situation in turn of 19th century. The social oriented, picturesque styled novel not only caught people's eyes of her time, but also provide people with special artistic enjoyment up to nowadays. According to the largest ever poll, "UK's Best-Loved Book", which was conducted by BBC in 2003, Pride and Prejudice turned out to be the second, ranking just after The Lord of the Rings. And also in a 2008 survey of more than 15,000 Australian readers, Pride and Prejudice came first in a list of the 101 best books ever written.It was accomplished by Jane at the earliest. She started to write the story in 1796 and named it First Impressions. After she finished it in 1797, her father who was moved by the story asked London bookseller Thomas Cadell to publish it, but heturned them down decisively. Later she rewrote it, renamed it as Pride and Prejudice and had it published in January 1813.It mainly narrated the romantic and bumpy love story between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and gentleman Mr Darcy, and meanwhile narrated three other love stories of their friends and sisters. Through the comedic story, she revealed the life and tradition of upper-middle class in early 19th century of Britain, and underlyingly showed her ideas about an ideal marriage. This novel is very dramatic, with its plots are full of ups and downs. Language of it is clear and vivid, smooth and easy, humorous and witty.ⅡJane Austen's feminism reflected in Elizabeth's Personality Affected by enlightenment, Austen had a lot of opinions and thoughts about the relationship between sense and sensiblity. She respects reason, advocates the perfect combination of reason and emotion. In addition, she held an advancing idea of feminism. She viewed that female should be equal with male; she showed contempt for the feudal and traditional restrain of female; and she was opposed to the people's unfair ideas about marriage. All this ideas was crystallized by creating unique personality of her favourite heroine Elizabeth. Described in Austen's work, she is not a decoration or appendage of man, not the one for male's estrous desire, but a highly confident and independent woman. On Elizabeth's perspective, Austen revealed the phenomenon that man enjoy higher status than woman at that time. She conveyed woman's voice of striking for equality to people.2.1 Elizabeth in Pride and PrejudiceElizabeth, the second daughter of Bennet family and the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice, is an intelligent and quick-witted young lady. She is Jane Austen’s own favourite and she wrote her sister about Elizabeth:I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared inprint; and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her atleast I do not know.Elizabeth is certainly a striking and satisfactory self-portrait of Jane Austen. The readers see the unfolding plots and the other characters mostly from her viewpoint. The second of the Bennet daughters at twenty years old, she is intelligent, lively, attractive, and witty, but with a tendency to judge on first impressions and perhaps to be a little selective of the evidence upon which she bases her judgments. It is her subjective prejudice about Mr Darcy that made she missed the love from him. But fortunately through a series of turns she finally realized the truth and formed a happy marriage with Mr Darcy. As the plot begins, her closest relationships are with her father, her sister Jane, her aunt Mrs Gardiner, and her best friend Charlotte Lucas. 2.2 Austen's feminism: advancing idea of equality between man and womanAusten thinks that women are not inferior to men. They should be treated equally with men both in the society and in the family lives. Austen creates the image of Elizabeth to be against the feudal hierarchy and the inequality between the two sexes. Elizabeth is as intelligent, reasonable as men. In first chapter of the book , when Mr Bennet makes comments on his five daughter he said that, "they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters. " ( Jane Austen) Elizabeth’s brilliance, however, is fully demonstrated in the novel. Austen depicted many characters in this book to make contrast with her and serve them as foils to Elizabeth’s brilliance. Compared to her sisters Mary, Kitty and Lydia, Elizabeth’s words are witty and well-spoken and her behaviour and manner are elegant and decent. Compared to her elder sister Jane, she is more rational and she makes correct judgements on Bingley's sisters. Compared to Miss Bingley, she is strong-minded and knowledgeable. What's more, She is independent, rebellious and fearless to power.Austen also created the character Mr Collins who is silly, shallow, timeserving and vulgar to demonstrate that those defects also belong to male but not female patents. The heroine Elizabeth isn't second to any man character in this novel. EvenMr Darcy, an extraordinary intelligent and noble gentleman, is attracted by her speech and mannerism, lose his heart to her, and get rid of pride.Such an intelligent, independent and self-respected female image forcefully criticized the social formation of female inferior position. Her good personality showed that woman shouldn't obtain their social status by pleasing man, and they totally deserve the rights equalled with man.2.3 Austen's feminism: contempt for the feudal and traditional restrain of femaleAccording to the feudal and traditional ideas, the good virtues of a gentlewoman include self-restraint, obedience, living a secluding life and etc. But representing Austin, Elizabeth expressed her strong contempt for those stereotyped ideas. She is independent, rebellious, out of the common and a typical character who is bold enough to challenge the feudal ethics.Many of her words and behaviour are against the feudal virtues of gentlewoman. For instance, in chapter seven, to inquire about the health of her ill sister Jane at Netherfield, Elizabeth "have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself", and then appeared in front of those gentle men and gentle women "with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise." Elizabeth was convinced that Miss Bingleys will hold her in contempt for this, but she scarcely care about how they think of her. But Austen appreciates Elizabeth through Mr Bingley and her affectionate behaviour to Jane has deepened Darcy's respect to her. In chapter 29, Elizabeth is invited to dining with Mrs Catherine, when everyone is extremely deferential and flattering Mrs Catherine, but Elizabeth. She keeps calm and answers her questions with proper manner.In addition, feudal and traditional gentle women should acquire "accomplishments" to attract and please man. Those "accomplishments" refer to a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing and etc, a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of voice, address and expressions. But Elizabeth doeswell in neither music nor drawing. She sings "by no means capital", and she doesn't play the piano well for she doesn't want to be troubled by practising. Being similar with its author Austen, she has strong interests in reading and studying character. Another manifestation is also performed in chapter 29 in the talk between Elizabeth and Lady Catherine. According to ideas of that time, if the elder sisters of a family are not married, the younger ones are not allowed to coming out and joining social activities. But in Bennets' family, all the five girls are out. When Lady Catherine qustioned her about that, Elizabeth expressed her special understanding on it:My youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps she is full young to be much incompany. But really, Ma'ma, I think it would be very hard upon youngersisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusementbecause the elder may not have the means or inclination marry early.—The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth, as the first. Andto be kept back on such a motive!— I think it would not be very likely topromote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.All those examples above are sufficient to show Elizabeth's contempt for the feudal and traditional restrain of female as well as Austen's, which makes Elizabeth a more unique and admirable personality.2.4 Austen's feminism: disapproval of the people's unfair ideas about marriageElizabeth lived in a time when economic conditions and social status were valued most in marriage. Love has no natural relation with marriage. Elizabeth, however, challenges traditional views on marriage. She does not plan to sacrifice her true emotional feelings for the sake of gaining financial security. She values true love and equal personal relation in her marriage, and never intends to trade self-respect and love for money.Through Elizabeth's attitude towards marriage, Austen conveyed her disapprovalof the traditional views about marriage. Elizabeth disagrees with the marriage views of her close friend Charlotte Lucas that money dominant marriage; she despises Lydia's perfunctory marriage as a result of sex as well. Elizabeth regards personal feelings as an important element in marriage, and she wants to find a husband who is as intelligent as she is. Therefore, she seriously turns down Mr Collins's offer “You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so” (Austen). In her opinion, only marriage based on true love can last and be happy. That is the real reason why she turned down two profitable proposal. She believes that woman should have the right to choose the marriage she want. Austen attacked the traditional idea of money-dominant marriage and called on women to cast off the traditional trade-off marriage pattern.On the other hand, class difference is a pressing reality in the novel. Elizabeth comes from a middle class family, while Darcy from the upper class. Lady Catherine thinks the sphere in which Elizabeth brought up will pollute “the shades of Pemberley” . Elizabeth herself, however, is not as overwhelmed by the social difference as Lady Cather ine. She claims calmly “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal”. Darcy’s recognition of Elizabeth as an equal in the moral terms plays a significant part in their marriage.Through the marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy, Austen indicates that love, mutual understanding are the base of their relationship, and in addition, solid economic foundation is also an indispensable element in a happy marriage.Ⅲ ConclusionInfluenced by enlightenment movement, Jane Austen obtained an advancing idea of feminism. As English critical realistic writer, she expressed her feminism ideas on the perspective of Elizabeth, a classic and well-known heroine of her masterpiece Pride and Prejudice. Through analysing Elizabeth's personality, we studied Austen's feminism. She viewed that female should be equal with male; she showed contempt for the feudal and traditional restrain of female; and she was opposed to the people's unfair ideas about marriage. We can conclude that Jane Austen has made greatcontribution to female literature and the development of feminism.Bibliography[1] Jane, Austen. Pride and Prejudice[ M ] Foreign Language Teaching And Research Press,2006.[2] 郭广田. 浅析《傲慢与偏见》中伊丽莎白的性格[ J ] 天中学刊，2002(17)[3] 李幸. 简·奥斯丁在《傲慢与偏见》中的婚姻观[ J ] 湖北电视广播大学学报，2004(4)[4] 刘畅.《傲慢与偏见》中女性主义思想解读[ J ] 成都大学学报，2009(4)[5] 秦岚岚. The Gentlewomen in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice[ A ] 福建师范大学，2003[6] /view/40337.htm[7] /view/42009.htm[8] /wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice。
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