Pride And Prejudice And Vera Brittain - 1292 Words

Are the relationships a woman has; the expectations of the era she lives in; or her want for female empowerment the most impactful factor on the decisions she makes and her self-development. This essay will discuss the factors that helped change and grow the ideas of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) and Vera Brittain in Testament of Youth (Vera Brittain), and which one is the most influential. The three factors that will be discussed are: the expectations of women in the era they live; families’ and relationships’ influences and expectations of them; and the role of feminism in their lives – doing what they want to do rather than what they are told. The novel Pride and Prejudice was set between the years 1797 – 1813;†¦show more content†¦Elizabeth always finds comfort in hearing her sister – Jane’s – advice; Jane balances Elizabeth’s harsh and direct personality and calms her down in various situations. Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Bennet, tries to marry off all of her daughters as soon as she possibly can. However, Elizabeth cares more for her father’s opinion than for her mothers’. After she refuses Mr. Collins’ hand, her parents disagree about her decision, Mr. Bennet says: â€Å"Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.† (Austen, 2010, p 109.) This shows Elizabeth’s strongest influence and relationship in this novel, which is her father. Vera’s two most important relationships within the beginning half of the novel is with her brother, Edward, and her boyfriend/fiancà ©, Roland; she wishes to attend Oxford with them. Later, when both men are sent to war, she abandons her studies (which she has worked