Navoiy state pedagogical institute the faculty of the english language and literature the department of the english language and literature

In Pride and Prejudice, the main character
Elizabeth Bennet The novel’s protagonist. The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth is the most intelligent and sensible of the five Bennet sisters. She is well read and quick-witted, with a tongue that occasionally proves too sharp for her own good. Her realization of Darcy’s essential goodness eventually triumphs over her initial prejudice against him. Fitzwilliam Darcy A wealthy gentleman, the master of Pemberley, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Though Darcy is intelligent and honest, his excess of pride causes him to look down on his social inferiors. Over the course of the novel, he tempers his class-consciousness and learns to admire and love Elizabeth for her strong character. Jane Bennet The eldest and most beautiful Bennet sister. Jane is more reserved and gentler than Elizabeth. The easy pleasantness with which she and Bingley interact contrasts starkly with the mutual distaste that marks the encounters between Elizabeth and Darcy. Charles Bingley Darcy’s considerably wealthy best friend. Bingley’s purchase of Netherfield, an estate near the Bennets, serves as the impetus for the novel. He is a genial, well-intentioned gentleman, whose easygoing nature contrasts with Darcy’s initially discourteous demeanor. He is blissfully uncaring about class differences. Mr. Bennet The patriarch of the Bennet family, a gentleman of modest income with five unmarried daughters. Mr. Bennet has a sarcastic, cynical sense of humor that he uses to purposefully irritate his wife. Though he loves his daughters (Elizabeth in particular), he often fails as a parent, preferring to withdraw from the never-ending marriage concerns of the women around him rather than offer help. George Wickham A handsome, fortune-hunting militia officer. Wickham’s good looks and charm attract Elizabeth initially, but Darcy’s revelation about Wickham’s disreputable past clues her in to his true nature and simultaneously draws her closer to Darcy. Mr. Collins A pompous, generally idiotic clergyman who stands to inherit Mr. Bennet’s property. Mr. Collins’s own social status is nothing to brag about, but he takes great pains to let everyone and anyone know that Lady Catherine de Bourgh serves as his patroness. He is the worst combination of snobbish and obsequious. Miss Bingley Bingley’s snobbish sister. Miss Bingley bears inordinate disdain for Elizabeth’s middle-class background. Her vain attempts to garner Darcy’s attention cause Darcy to admire Elizabeth’s self-possessed character even more. Lady Catherine de Bourgh A rich, bossy noblewoman; Mr. Collins’s patron and Darcy’s aunt. Lady Catherine epitomizes class snobbery, especially in her attempts to order the middle-class Elizabeth away from her well-bred nephew. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife. The Gardiners, caring, nurturing, and full of common sense, often prove to be better parents to the Bennet daughters than Mr. Bennet and his wife. Georgiana Darcy Darcy’s sister. She is immensely pretty and just as shy. She has great skill at playing the pianoforte. Mary Bennet The middle Bennet sister, bookish and pedantic. Catherine Bennet The fourth Bennet sister. Like Lydia, she is girlishly enthralled with the soldiers.
In Pride and Prejudice, the main character Elizabeth Bennet is a strong-willed and independent woman who challenges the societal expectations of her time. Her relationship with Mr. Darcy is initially marked by pride and prejudice on both sides, but as they get to know each other better, they learn to overcome their differences and develop a deep and meaningful connection. The novel also explores the relationships between Elizabeth and her family members, particularly her mother and sisters, and how they navigate the societal pressures and expectations of marriage and social class.In Clarissa, the main character Clarissa Harlowe is a virtuous and compassionate woman who is caught between her love for the charming but manipulative Lovelace and her sense of duty and morality. Her relationship with Lovelace is marked by manipulation and abuse, and ultimately leads to her tragic demise. The novel also explores the relationships between Clarissa and her family members, particularly her brother James and her cousin Morden, and how they navigate the societal pressures and expectations of marriage and social class.Both novels also feature a range of supporting characters who play important roles in the development of the plot and themes. In Pride and Prejudice, characters such as Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, and Mr. Collins provide comic relief and commentary on the societal norms of the time. In Clarissa, characters such as Mr. Belford, Anna Howe, and John Harlowe provide insight into the complexities of love and morality.Overall, both novels explore the relationships between characters and how they are shaped by societal expectations and personal values. While Pride and Prejudice emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and compatibility in a successful relationship, Clarissa emphasizes the challenges and limitations of love in a society that values social class and gender roles.


2.2 In “Pride and Prejudice”, Jane Austen established the impact of how social class and gender roles are influenced by the expectations of the society. Jane Austen classified social class and gender roles as a hierarchy group set by society, in order to limit the freedom of lower class and women. Explaining how one class was favored than the other. Austen illustrates how the lower and average class can’t possibly get rich because the society made a whole barrier separating both the lower class and upper class. In the novel, social class and gender roles are the major themes that influenced the decisions made by the characters. Austin utilizes imagery in the novel to engage her audience and interest them on how women and the lower class were being treated unfairly. Society only gives high-ranks choices on what they want whether it’s a female or a male. In the novel, Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet are in the middle class, they have five daughters and they are all unmarried, Mrs. Bennet fantasy is to get her daughters married to higher classmen in order to ensure that they’re safe and happy, which would be difficult in this case because her family isn’t classified as part of the upper class. Women consider marriage to get rich rather than true happiness or true love. The lower class women you have absolutely no role in society unless if you are married or have a functioning male family member. Both females, average class and lower class had difficulty making their decisions because their freedom is limited. In this novel Austen demonstrated how Elizabeth’s intention about societal expectation changed rather than marrying for power, she chose to wed for affection and find true love which every Women lacks potentially because the society isn’t based on such instead, they believe in power. “ I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.” ( Austen 338). However, Mrs. Bennet couldn’t see Elizabeth’s point of view, and what she desires and focuses on was based on her getting her daughters’ married, in order to ensure their protection because she won’t always be there to help them neither is their father. Women are seen as powerless with less ability, they have no access and depend on their spouses or father most especially if they’re rich. In this case, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters rely on Mr. Bennet who is the head of the family, he is the only one able to provide for the family. Elizabeth didn’t come from a rich family neither is she poor, but the fact that she isn’t as privileged as the high class, getting married was difficult for her. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Austen 5). This quote explains however wealthy men have the right to decide to marry anytime without being questioned, they may need a wife just to have a companion while women who aren’t as rich as the upper class have to be married in order to be protected. In this novel, marriage is being taken as negotiation in order to protect females and to secure their pride, wealthy women have the right to choose what they want based on their financial background but the low-class decision has been determined even before they realize. Marriage is the only thing women rely on as their future. In this novel love isn’t viewed as a commitment before getting married. Marriage is seen as an obligation that needed to be carried out, such agreement benefits lower-class women such as Elizabeth and her sisters. There are three categories Austen described in the novel, the lower class, middle class and the upper class. The lower and middle class are seen as a disadvantage to society while the upper class is seen as the pillar of the society, they have the ability to make their own decisions on whatsoever they want. In “Pride and Prejudice”, not only the lower classmen are less privileged but also women that are from either lower class or middle class. “Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley.” (Austen 8). Mr. Bennet visited Mr. Bingley to see if he was interested in one of his daughters. Mr. Bingley is a man of honor who is well known for his richness along with his friend Mr. Darcy. Since Mr. Bennet is an average man, he tried to take advantage of his position associating with the rich for social benefits and for his daughter’s safety. Women have absolutely no right to claim their father’s properties because only the heir has access to it. Therefore they can’t possibly make their own decision on whom they want to marry, except their parents are in agreement with it. In this case, Mrs. Bennet doesn’t want to marry her daughter to whoever except they are capable of providing for themselves and also taking care of their daughter’s needs. Women from the lower-class couldn’t make decisions unless a male member of the family stands out. As the male of the house, Mr. Bennet had to take further steps in getting his daughters married because when he dies only the next male of the family gets to keep the property and females are always left with nothing other than marriage. Without Mr. Bennet’s connections, he wouldn’t have come across Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, because Mr. Bennett is in the middle class, he had slightly more opportunity than that of the lower class forgetting to meet with the high position individuals, even though the chance of them negotiating is poor.
Woolf is recognised as a prominent writer in modernist literature as well as a leading figure of 20th century literary feminism. Indeed, critic, Elaine Showalter writes that Woolf was one of the first female authors to capture the 'fitful, fretful rhythm of women's daily lives' (Showalter, 1977, pp.198), exquisitely presented throughout Mrs Dalloway. I propose that through the theme of gender in Mrs Dalloway, in relation to the female role in a post-war society and the attitudes towards mental health in the relative context, Virginia Woolf presents the reader with a feminist text that seeks equality and explores the damage caused by a patriarchal society. In order to argue this, I will refer to feminist critics such as Linda Ruhemann, Carol Ann Duffy, and Woolf's own diaries.
I believe that gender is at the heart of Woolf's writing and Mrs Dalloway is a fascinating example of feminine writing. Her modernist approach and stream of consciousness style, render the text more fluid, rhythmic and lends a certain sense of freedom in comparison to the traditional, patriarchal style of novel, such as the works of Charles Dickens, which seem far more serious, controlled with a clear structure. Woolf threw all the rules of structure and punctuation out of the window, mirroring the new possibilities and freedom for women during the wartime society. Some sentences run on for half a page, for example when Clarissa describes how 'fresh, how calm...the air was in the early morning like the flap of a wave; the kiss of a wave' using only semi colons to break the sentence up. The fluidity of the line lends a stunning natural rhythm, relating to sounds of nature and making the reader feel fully immersed in the surroundings. Critic and poet Carol Ann Duffy emphasises how Woolf's 'lyric intensity allows her, and us as readers, to stand inside the lived moment' in my opinion this is exactly what epitomises Mrs Dalloway as a representation of feminine writing that goes against the conceptions of the patriarchal, traditionalist style of novel. Linda Ruhemann argues that we get sense of Woolf's 'feminine-ness' through her ability to 'create shape and design out of apparently random detail', a quote that confirms Woolf's unique structure and style lends a certain sense of femininity to her work. Woolf already addresses the subject of the female role in a patriarchal society in the eponymous title of 'Mrs Dalloway'. The title itself, through the lack of her first name, is suggestive of the fact that she is defined by her marriage and has lost her own identity. Clarissa's feeling of loss is perfectly encapsulated as she describes herself as 'this being Mrs Dalloway; not even Clarissa any more, this being Mrs Richard Dalloway', the slow rhythm and commas used in this sentence create a feeling of resignation and loss. Clarissa has reached the menopause, and in this time of patriarchy, in which the primary job of a woman was to get married and have children, one gets the sense that she has lost her purpose in life as well as her identity. The loss of sexual identity is apparent as Clarissa says she 'felt like a nun', this sense of being withdrawn from life and no longer being a sensual woman heavily affects her. We are told that 'narrower and narrower would her bed be', the repetition creates an effect of the spiralling and increasing lack of intimacy with her husband as she ages. The fascinating aspect of this character is that we see her from different perspectives, on the one hand her mind expressed these wonderful moments of being, but we also get a view of her exterior personality in which she plays the hostess and trivially worries over flowers for her party, exclaiming 'What a lark!', a line which Elaine Showalter says perhaps makes it 'easy to see her as superficial and slight' (1977). Even Woolf herself, expressed concern and self-doubt in her own diary from 1923, worrying that Clarissa may be 'too stiff, too glittering and tinselly' and therefore not relatable enough. However, I would argue that Clarissa's external 'stiffness' only enforces the society's negative effect on women; how patriarchy acts as a metaphorical corset and prevents the female voice being heard. The character of Sally Seton must be discussed in relation to gender as she fights back against the restraints of patriarchy and represents a new possibility for women: freedom mentally, physically and crucially, sexually. She is introduced as 'the wild, the daring, the romantic Sally!', a bold young woman of the 'roaring twenties' who is perhaps representative of the restlessness of women after the war changed ideas about the female role. More importantly, Sally seems to be the one true love of Clarissa. We are drawn into the stunning moment of being in which Clarissa describes her passion as being 'an illumination; a match burning in a crocus', an incredibly insightful, unique, and powerful view of female sexuality. Critic, Suzan Harrison, quotes that this attraction between women 'and the connection of that attraction to the artistic imagination not only suggests a critique of compulsory heterosexuality and the sacrifices it requires of women but also challenges the mainstream modernist construction of creative inspiration as requiring a male artist and a female muse'. The patriarchal regulations on sexuality prevent their pure and passionate relationship developing, ultimately causing Clarissa's feeling of loss and lack of identity, Sally is Clarissa's inspiration; the epitome of sexuality, pure love and freedom. In Woolf's essay, 'Professions for Women' (1931) she talks of killing the 'Angel in the House' a concept 'borrowed from Coventry Patmore's poem celebrating domestic bliss' and I believe that Sally Seton is a step towards killing this image of the perfect sacrificial wife in her worldliness and bold attitude towards sexuality. However, the contrast of female characters: Clarissa representing the negative effect of patriarchy on women and Sally representing the possibilities for future women, in my opinion, is what renders Woolf such an intelligent and relevant author. Her ability to create these powerful and contrasting female characters simultaneously makes Mrs Dalloway a product of its time as well as a work that critiques society and ignites change in the societal role of women. Love, social class, and gender are prominent themes in both Pride and Prejudice and Clarissa. In Pride and Prejudice, love is portrayed as a transformative and redemptive force that can overcome societal expectations and prejudices.
2.3 The novel explores the different types of love, including romantic love, familial love, and platonic love, and how they intersect with social class and gender. The characters' social class and gender play a significant role in their ability to pursue and express love. For example, Elizabeth Bennet's refusal to marry for financial security and her insistence on marrying for love challenges the societal norms of her time. Similarly, Mr. Darcy's initial pride and prejudice towards Elizabeth is rooted in his belief that her social class is beneath his own. The novel ultimately suggests that love can transcend social class and gender, and that mutual respect and compatibility are essential for a successful relationship.In Clarissa, love is portrayed as a powerful and often destructive force that can lead to both joy and sorrow. The novel explores the societal pressures and expectations that can hinder the expression and fulfillment of love, particularly for women. Clarissa's love for Lovelace is complicated by her sense of duty and morality, as well as the societal expectations of marriage and social class. The novel also highlights the gendered power dynamics that can influence romantic relationships, as Lovelace uses his charm and manipulation to control and abuse Clarissa. The novel ultimately suggests that love can be a source of both liberation and oppression, and that societal norms and gender roles can limit one's ability to pursue and express love.Social class is also a prominent theme in both novels. In Pride and Prejudice, social class is a significant factor in the characters' ability to pursue love and marriage. The novel explores the societal expectations and limitations placed on individuals based on their social class, and how these expectations can influence their choices and opportunities. Similarly, in Clarissa, social class plays a significant role in the characters' ability to pursue love and happiness. The novel highlights the societal expectations and limitations placed on women of different social classes, and how these expectations can influence their choices and opportunities.Gender is another prominent theme in both novels. In Pride and Prejudice, gender roles and expectations are challenged through the character of Elizabeth Bennet, who defies the societal norms of her time by refusing to conform to traditional gender roles. The novel also explores the gendered power dynamics in romantic relationships, particularly through the character of Mr. Collins, who attempts to assert his dominance over Elizabeth. Similarly, in Clarissa, gender roles and expectations are challenged through the character of Clarissa, who defies the societal norms of her time by asserting her independence and autonomy. The novel also highlights the gendered power dynamics in romantic relationships, particularly through the character of Lovelace, who uses his charm and manipulation to control and abuse Clarissa.Overall, both Pride and Prejudice and Clarissa explore the complex interplay between love, social class, and gender, and how these factors can influence one's ability to pursue and express love.
In Pride and Prejudice, love is portrayed as a transformative and redemptive force that can overcome societal expectations and prejudices. The novel explores the different types of love, including romantic love, familial love, and platonic love, and how they intersect with social class and gender. The characters' social class and gender play a significant role in their ability to pursue and express love. For example, Elizabeth Bennet's refusal to marry for financial security and her insistence on marrying for love challenges the societal norms of her time. Similarly, Mr. Darcy's initial pride and prejudice towards Elizabeth is rooted in his belief that her social class is beneath his own. The novel ultimately suggests that love can transcend social class and gender, and that mutual respect and compatibility are essential for a successful relationship.
In contrast, love in Clarissa is portrayed as a powerful and often destructive force that can lead to both joy and sorrow. The novel explores the societal pressures and expectations that can hinder the expression and fulfillment of love, particularly for women. Clarissa's love for Lovelace is complicated by her sense of duty and morality, as well as the societal expectations of marriage and social class. The novel also highlights the gendered power dynamics that can influence romantic relationships, as Lovelace uses his charm and manipulation to control and abuse Clarissa. The novel ultimately suggests that love can be a source of both liberation and oppression, and that societal norms and gender roles can limit one's ability to pursue and express love.In Pride and Prejudice, love is portrayed as a positive and transformative force that can bring about personal growth and happiness. The novel emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and compatibility in a successful relationship, and challenges the societal norms of the time that placed a greater emphasis on social class and financial security. In Clarissa, love is portrayed as a complex and often tragic force that can lead to both joy and sorrow. The novel highlights the societal pressures and expectations that can hinder the expression and fulfillment of love, particularly for women, and emphasizes the gendered power dynamics that can influence romantic relationships.Overall, while both novels explore the complexities of love and its intersection with societal expectations and gender roles, they portray love in different ways. Pride and Prejudice emphasizes the transformative power of love, while Clarissa emphasizes the challenges and limitations of love in a society that values social class and gender roles.
Both Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa" are classic novels that explore the theme of love in different ways.One of the main similarities between the two novels is that they both deal with the societal expectations and constraints that can impact romantic relationships. In "Pride and Prejudice," the characters are often judged based on their social status and wealth, which can affect their ability to pursue their desired partners. Similarly, in "Clarissa," the main character struggles against the expectations of her family and society, who want her to marry a wealthy man even though she is in love with someone else.
Another similarity is that both novels explore the idea of love as a complex emotion that can be influenced by external factors such as reputation and social standing. In "Pride and Prejudice," Elizabeth and Darcy initially dislike each other because of misunderstandings and false impressions, but eventually come to understand and appreciate each other's true character. Similarly, in "Clarissa," the title character's love for Lovelace is complicated by his reputation as a libertine and her own concerns about her reputation and virtue.
However, there are also significant differences in the portrayal of love in the two novels. "Pride and Prejudice" is primarily a romantic comedy that celebrates the power of true love to overcome obstacles and bring happiness. In contrast, "Clarissa" is a tragic novel that explores the darker side of love and the consequences of societal expectations and constraints.Another difference is that "Pride and Prejudice" focuses primarily on the romantic relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, while "Clarissa" explores a wider range of relationships and emotions. Clarissa's love for Lovelace is only one part of a complex web of relationships that includes her family, friends, and other suitors.
Overall, while both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Clarissa" explore the theme of love and its relationship to society and personal identity, they do so in different way and with different outcomes.
Both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Clarissa" reflect the social and cultural context of their time in different ways."Pride and Prejudice" is set in the late 18th century, a time when social class and gender roles were very rigidly defined. The novel reflects this context by exploring the social hierarchy of the time and the expectations placed on individuals based on their social status. For example, the Bennet family's social status is a major concern throughout the novel, and the characters are constantly aware of the need to marry well in order to secure their financial future. The novel also reflects the cultural context of the time by exploring the role of women in society and the limitations placed on them. Elizabeth Bennet is a strong and independent character, but she is still constrained by the expectations placed on women of her social class.
"Clarissa" is set in the mid-18th century, a time when the idea of the "virtuous woman" was highly valued. The novel reflects this context by exploring the expectations placed on women to be chaste, obedient, and submissive. Clarissa is a virtuous character who is constantly struggling against the expectations placed on her by her family and society. The novel also reflects the social context of the time by exploring the power dynamics between men and women. Clarissa's suitor, Lovelace, is a predatory character who uses his power and influence to manipulate and control her.
Both novels also reflect the literary context of their time. "Pride and Prejudice" is a novel of manners, a genre that was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The novel explores the social conventions of the time and satirizes the behavior of the upper classes. "Clarissa" is an epistolary novel, a genre that was popular in the mid-18th century. The novel is written in the form of letters, which allows the reader to see the characters' inner thoughts and emotions. In summary, both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Clarissa" reflect the social and cultural context of their time by exploring the social hierarchy, gender roles, and power dynamics of the 18th century. They also reflect the literary context of their time by exploring the genres that were popular at the time.