In my British literature class, I had to read pride and prejudice. The book was very boring and slow to me. While I was reading it I found out that feminism is shown in this book with the character Elizabeth bennet. And it made me think how people see feminism as a man hating group of girls who “don’t need no man”, and don’t shave their legs and yea… that’s definitely not that. Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. And the book pride and prejudice definitely shows that with the head strong Elizabeth character who is ahead of her time.
In the first chapters of the book Mr and Mrs. Bennet show how desperate they are to marry their five daughters. They hear of a rich guy moving into the town and well basically they pay visits to him and take the daughters to a party to introduce him to all of the girls. Mr. Bingley, the rich guy, spent most of his night with Jane bennet. Mr. Darcy, the friend of Bingley, at the end of the night was attracted to Elizabeth’s brans and wit. Around the middle of the book Elizabeth has turned down quite a few men in marriage, Darcy being one of them. She found Darcy arrogant and rude. Elizabeth throughout the book tries to stick to her wit and knowledge and she just doesn’t understand why she has to have a man telling her what to do. At the end of the book she finally finds herself falling in love with Darcy, right after he tells her his true feelings and she is happy again. She finds herself and understands how they both had their pride get in the way and been blind and prejudice towards each other, hints the title.
In the book it shows the true meaning of what it is to be a feminist basically. As a female I relate to Elizabeth because I know what it is like to have some guy who has the nerve to call themselves a “man”, come to you and tell you that you “need their authority”. No. I don’t need that, I can handle myself, thank you very much. I want people to understand that feminism isn’t a cult of man hating women. Feminism is not the belief that one gender should be raised in power above another. The very definition of feminism shows a complete opposition to this belief. So when people comment against feminism, they are supporting sexism. We don’t need to be scared. Feminism is a movement towards equal society for male, female and transgender people, without discrimination. People should not feel discriminated against for being who they are. They should be able to live in peace, without fear of not conforming to the “social norm.” We need to change the social norm. We need to move towards a society where men are not afraid to be vulnerable and women are allowed to be independent; a society where being male or female has no impact on how a person lives their life; a society where the pressure is off and everyone can be themselves. Not too long ago there was a women’s march in Washington. This movement was to send a message that women’s rights are human rights meaning, women should get the same treatment as men when it comes to jobs and social gatherings and just everything in general. They didn’t march because of hate. No. they marched because they want to feel equal to men.
In a way Elizabeth bennet used her wit to her advantage. She was a very sassy, yes careful person when it came to a man. She watched them and made them aware that she didn’t really need them. She was smart, and that’s what Darcy liked the most about her and at the end of the book he treated her like how she should be treated. Equally. Elizabeth was so ahead of her time. She would fit right in with the modern day women. I hope that every female in the world can be head strong like her and know that they don’t NEED a man to define them, but a man to stand by their side that will support you and let you be you. And treat you like you should be treated, not bossed around and told you are under them.
