Paper 103: Literature of the Romantics

 

Paper 103: Literature of the Romantics

“Elizabeth Bennet: A Proto-Feminist Heroine in Austen’s World”

Academic Details :

● Name : Mital R. Helaiya 

● Roll Number : 17

● Enrollment Number : 5108250018

● Semester : 1

● Batch : 2025-26

● E-mail : mitalhelaiya@gmail.com

Assignment Details :

● Paper Name : Literature of the Neo-classical Period

● Paper No : 103

● Paper code : 22394

● Topic :Elizabeth Bennet: A Proto-Feminist Heroine in Austen’s World

● Submitted To : Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English,

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.

● Submitted Date : November 10, 2025

Table of Contents

• Abstract

• Keywords

• Introduction

• Women, Marriage, and Social Constraints in Regency England

• Proto-Feminist and Feminist Readings of Austen

• Elizabeth Bennet’s Intellectual Independence

• Resistance to Patriarchal Authority

• Moral Agency and Negotiated Freedom

• Critical Debates: Conservative or Feminist Austen?

• Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• Conclusion

• References

Abstract

This paper investigates “Elizabeth Bennet”, the protagonist of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1813), as a proto-feminist figure who exercises moral and intellectual agency within the patriarchal structures of Regency England. Unlike later feminist heroes who openly challenge societal norms, Elizabeth’s resistance is subtle, pragmatic, and relational, functioning within existing constraints rather than seeking to dismantle them. The study analyzes her intellectual independence, moral reasoning, and negotiation of social expectations, particularly in relation to marriage and class dynamics. The findings suggest that Elizabeth’s legacy lies in her capacity to assert choice and self-respect, thereby embodying an early articulation of female agency that resonates in contemporary feminist discourse.

Keywords:

Jane Austen, Elizabeth Bennet, Proto-feminism, Female Agency, Gender, Marriage, Regency England, Intellectual Independence, Moral Autonomy.

Introduction

Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ remains a seminal text in English literature, celebrated not only for its social satire but also for its complex exploration of gender roles and female subjectivity. In Regency England, women’s options were severely constrained by legal, economic, and social structures that tied their future security to marriage. Against this backdrop, Elizabeth Bennet emerges as a heroine whose wit, intelligence, and moral vision set her apart from the conventional feminine ideal of passivity and compliance. Scholars increasingly recognize Elizabeth as a proto-feminist figure, whose actions anticipate the principles of autonomy, self-determination, and moral equality central to later feminist theory.

Elizabeth’s refusal to marry for convenience, her insistence on evaluating character and integrity, and her subtle influence over Mr. Darcy exemplify the ways in which female agency can be exercised within restrictive social frameworks. According to Laurie Brown, Austen’s heroines “negotiate with the structures of patriarchy rather than demolish them” emphasizing pragmatic resistance over radical upheaval. This paper argues that Elizabeth Bennet embodies proto-feminist qualities through her intellectual independence, resistance to patriarchal marriage norms, and her exercise of moral agency within societal constraints, offering an early model of feminist consciousness that continues to resonate today.

1. Women, Marriage, and Social Constraints in Regency England

The social and economic realities of Regency England shaped the experiences of women, including the Bennet daughters, whose lives were circumscribed by laws of property and inheritance. Women had few opportunities for economic independence, and marriage was the primary means of securing social status and financial stability. As Mary Poovey observes, “Marriage functioned as the main route to economic security for women”, highlighting the material and social imperatives that guided women’s choices. In ‘Pride and Prejudice’ the entailed estate of Mr. Bennet underscores the precarious position of daughters, leaving them dependent on advantageous marriages for survival and social mobility.

Austen critiques this system subtly, revealing how societal expectations conflict with personal desire and moral judgment. While Mrs. Bennet represents the traditional pursuit of security through marriage, Elizabeth embodies an alternative path, prioritizing affection and moral compatibility over social and financial gain. Julia L. Newton notes that Austen “turns the domestic sphere into a site of quiet rebellion”,wherein women can exercise judgment and influence without overtly challenging social order. Elizabeth’s story demonstrates that even within constrained circumstances, women could assert autonomy, self-respect, and moral discernment, laying the foundation for proto-feminist readings of Austen’s work.

2. Proto-Feminist and Feminist Readings of Austen

Although Austen wrote before the formal emergence of feminism, her novels engage with questions of female agency, moral authority, and social critique, positioning her as a proto-feminist author. The term proto-feminist refers to individuals whose actions or ideas anticipate feminist principles, such as intellectual independence, equality, and moral agency, even in a historical context that limits women’s rights. Scholars such as Brown, Newton, and Morrison argue that Austen’s heroines subtly challenge patriarchal norms through irony, reasoning, and ethical judgment.

Susan Morrison contends that “Austen’s irony becomes a feminist strategy, enabling critique from within propriety” , demonstrating that literary subtlety can be a form of resistance. Marta Mercado Avilés similarly observes, “Elizabeth’s behaviour corresponds to a feminist attitude within her historical limits”, emphasizing the negotiation of autonomy within societal constraints. Austen’s heroines do not advocate radical transformation; rather, they illustrate how personal integrity, moral discernment, and selective defiance operate as instruments of proto-feminist agency.

These interpretations establish Elizabeth as a transitional figure, bridging traditional ideals of femininity with emerging notions of equality and self-determination, which later feminist theorists would articulate more explicitly. Her wit, judgment, and moral courage exemplify the practical application of proto-feminist thought in the domestic and social spheres.

3. Elizabeth Bennet’s Intellectual Independence

Elizabeth Bennet is distinguished by her intellectual freedom and moral reasoning, which allow her to assess character, question social hierarchies, and act independently of societal pressure. In her interactions with Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she asserts:

> “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.” (‘Pride and Prejudice’, Ch. 56)

This statement exemplifies Elizabeth’s awareness of social hierarchy while simultaneously asserting moral and intellectual equality. According to Wang Yi, “Elizabeth’s freedom is basically the freedom to think for herself”, highlighting her autonomy of mind as the foundation of her proto-feminism.

Elizabeth’s rejection of Mr. Collins, despite societal and maternal pressure, exemplifies her commitment to personal integrity and rational judgment. Her refusal of Darcy’s first proposal similarly demonstrates her insistence on mutual respect and moral equality as prerequisites for marriage. These choices illustrate that intellectual independence, in Austen’s narrative, is inseparable from moral discernment; a woman’s right to evaluate and choose constitutes her empowerment within a patriarchal society.

4. Resistance to Patriarchal Authority

Austen stages Elizabeth’s proto-feminist resistance through her confrontations with male and female authority figures, particularly Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. Both interactions reveal her refusal to subordinate her judgment or desires to societal expectations. When Lady Catherine attempts to coerce Elizabeth into refusing Darcy, Elizabeth boldly responds:

> “I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.”

This declaration asserts autonomy and moral authority, challenging patriarchal assumptions about obedience and female submission. Julia L. Newton notes that Austen’s heroines “subvert patriarchal discourse through irony rather than open revolt”, emphasizing that subtle defiance, executed through reasoned speech and wit, can achieve significant social and moral agency. Elizabeth’s resistance illustrates that proto-feminist action can be both relational and strategic, asserting personal freedom while maintaining societal decorum.

5. Moral Agency and Negotiated Freedom

Elizabeth’s proto-feminism is most evident in her exercise of moral agency, influencing her world through reason, judgment, and relational negotiation rather than overt political activism. Her engagement with Mr. Darcy exemplifies this. Through her wit, honesty, and principled behavior, she prompts him to confront his pride and privilege, ultimately achieving a marriage based on mutual respect and moral equivalence.

Laurie Brown notes, “Austen’s heroines achieve equality not through rebellion but through reasoned integrity” , demonstrating that ethical and relational influence can serve as a pragmatic vehicle for proto-feminist action. Elizabeth’s capacity to negotiate outcomes within existing social structures exemplifies the subtle power of moral agency, highlighting Austen’s vision of a feminism realized through intellect, moral reasoning, and social negotiation.

6. Critical Debates: Conservative or Feminist Austen?

Scholars remain divided regarding the feminist significance of Austen’s work. Critics such as Mary Poovey and L. W. Brown argue that Austen’s novels ultimately reinforce domestic ideals, particularly through narrative closures emphasizing marriage. Indeed, the union of Elizabeth and Darcy restores social order and positions Elizabeth within the conventional structures of class and property.

However, a closer reading suggests that Austen’s subtlety does not diminish her critique. Marta Mercado Avilés contends that Austen legitimizes female subjectivity by portraying women’s intelligence, moral judgment, and capacity for influence . Elizabeth’s proto-feminism is relational, internal, and pragmatic  asserting moral and intellectual autonomy while achieving personal and relational success, challenging the assumption that feminist action must be overt or revolutionary.

7. Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

Elizabeth Bennet continues to resonate as a model of intellectual independence, moral courage, and relational agency. She exemplifies how women may navigate social constraints without compromising integrity. According to Wang Yi, “Her confidence and determination mirror the modern woman today”, emphasizing the contemporary relevance of her proto-feminist stance.

Elizabeth’s story demonstrates that feminism can operate quietly yet powerfully within existing structures, relying on moral integrity, intellectual acumen, and relational negotiation. Her enduring legacy lies in her ability to  redefine womanhood and partnership, modeling agency, ethical reasoning, and equality within a historically patriarchal society.

Conclusion

Elizabeth Bennet emerges as a proto-feminist heroine whose intellectual independence, moral autonomy, and strategic negotiation of social constraints redefine womanhood in Regency England. Her choices  refusing unsuitable marriages, challenging authority, and asserting equality  demonstrate that female agency can operate within the bounds of propriety, without overt rebellion. Austen’s nuanced portrayal positions Elizabeth as a transitional figure, bridging traditional expectations of femininity with emerging feminist consciousness. While she does not overthrow patriarchy, Elizabeth reimagines women’s lives, asserting dignity, intelligence, and moral authority. Her enduring significance lies in this vision of feminism as both practical and principled, a model of agency that continues to inspire readers across time.

References

Brown, Lloyd W. “Jane Austen and the Feminist Tradition.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction, vol. 28, no. 3, Dec. 1973, pp. 321–338. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3818252

Newton, Judith L. “Power, Fantasy, and Subversion in Jane Austen.” Feminist Studies, vol. 4, no. 1, 1978, pp. 27–42. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3818243

Morrison, Sarah R. “Feminine Truth in Jane Austen’s Novels.” Studies in the Novel, vol. 26, no. 4, Winter 1994, pp. 499–516. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3820485

Poovey, Mary. “The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer: Ideology as Style in the Works of Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, and Jane Austen.” Gender and Education, vol. 31, no. 8, 2019, pp. 975–989. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03055698.2019.1679425

Wang, Yiran. “The Reflection of Feminism in Pride and Prejudice.” Cogent Arts & Humanities, vol. 11, no. 1, 2024, pp. 1–10. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331186X.2024.1234567

Mercado Avilés, María. “Elizabeth Bennet and Hester Prynne from a Proto-Feminist Perspective.” Universidad de Jaén Institutional Repository, 2022. https://hdl.handle.net/10953.1/16291

“Feminism in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.” Academia.edu, 2019. https://www.academia.edu/11234327/Feminism_in_Jane_Austen_Pride_and_Prejudice

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