Abstract

The paper will mainly analyze Jane Austen’s views on marriage from the perspective of feminism. As an important part of the paper, the basic information of feminism will be analyzed. And after analyzing three female characters’ different views on marriage in Pride and Prejudice, the paper finds that, in Jane Austen’s views, a perfect marriage should be based on love and money. Besides, she also advocates that both woman and man who get married should have good personality and share the equality right in marriage. And while analyzing Jane Austen’s views on marriage from the perspective of feminism, the paper finds that women’s right in personal freedom and gender equality has been admitted. However, Jane Austen’s views on marriage ignore women’s right in economy.

Key words: Jane Austen; feminism; views on marriage

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Social background-1

1.2 Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice-1

1.4 Significance of the Research-2

2 Feminism-3

2.1 The Definition of Feminism-3

2.2 The Development of Feminism-3

3 Three Women’s Views on Marriage-5

3.1 Marriage and Money-5

3.2 Marriage and Personal Quality-6

3.2.1 Mrs. Bennet’s Views-6

3.2.2 Elizabeth Bennet’s Views-6

3.3 Marriage and Love-7

3.3.1 Charlotte Lucas’s Views-7

3.3.2 Elizabeth Bennet’s Views-7

4 Jane Austen’s Views on Marriage-8

4.1 The Necessity of Money, Personal Quality and Love-8

4.2 Equality between Men and Women in Marriage-8

5 Feminism-based Analysis of Jane Austen’s Views on Marriage-10

5.1 Women’s Right in Personal Freedom-10

5.2 Women’s Right in Economy-10

5.3 Gender Equality-11

6 Conclusion-12

7 Reference-13