Jane Austen was like the “O.G.” Feminist of her time. Her novels are filled with female leads who were strong and independent, such as Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Miss Bennet is strong willed, well-read and willing to do whatever or say whatever needed to be said. Everyone talks about Mr. Darcy, and while he definitely is a man worth talking about, I want to discuss Elizabeth Bennet.
Elizabeth is a realist as well as very understanding of how ridiculous her family is, but she loves them mightily. She defends them against the prideful upper class members that she comes in contact with: Miss Caroline Bingley, Lady Catherine DeBourgh, Mrs. Hurst, and even Mr. Darcy. By doing so she gains the respect and love of not only her family and friends, but the man who becomes the love of her life.
Speaking of feminism can we just talk about how Elizabeth Bennet turns down not one, but two marriage proposals? This is extraordinary because during this time in England, or really anywhere else in the world, marriage was the only way for a woman of lower status to survive. There is also the added fact that one of the people who proposed to her was the man who was to inherit her family's house after her father's death. Lizzy’s best friend, Charlotte, says yes to Mr. Collins because she does not want to be a burden on her parents and was scared for her future. Charlotte is a testament to the time period; Mr. Collins is completely ridiculous, but being the man who is going to inherit, Charlotte still agrees to marry him. Lizzy would have been the one to save the family house, yet she still turns him down. Then the second man was of much higher standing and wealth, but she turns him down as well.
Both times Elizabeth has a strong reason to turn down these men. She sees her best friend and sisters getting married off and, while she was genuinely excited for them, she would rather live to be an old maid than marry someone who was not her equal. Feminism was not popular at the time, so having a strong willed, well-read woman was unusual. Through all the difficulties Elizabeth experienced, she found someone who truly appreciated her for who she is. As they say, the third time was definitely the charm for her.
Can we also talk about the women who get caught on T.V. or YouTube turning down public proposals? It seems like even with all of the talk of feminism or solidarity between women, some things just have not changed.In Jane Austen's time, a woman could not say "no" to a man's proposal and now--nearly two centuries later--women face the same issue. The women turning down public proposals likely had no idea their significant other was going to propose, and honestly, there is no harm in wanting to wait and decide. So why is it that those women get shamed, booed, and harassed when say "no"? How is it fair to pressure them into accepting a proposal?
When entering a relationship, discussing marriage is vital. It is time to drop our prejudices and our pride on this matter of saying "yes" to proposals and just let the couples work it through for themselves. It should be perfectly acceptable to say "no" and should be okay to wait it out for the best possible person out there. Just like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s love story, it is okay to want to wait for someone who makes you "completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy."
