In Pride and Prejudice, in Chapter 10, “Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger.” All this explains is the narration of both Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s emotions which are opposites of each other. Her perception of Darcy is that be is a rude and mean individual because at first he declined to dance with her. That was an insult to her because dancing constituted a way of getting to know each other, socializing, expressing youth, a way to mingle without crossing any societal lines.
Most of all Elizabeth was not a girl of who was not beautiful or undesirable, she was quite the opposite. In the Victorian era, late 1700s and the early 1800s women were domesticated. To be more exact they were treated as slaves and men were their slave owners. Women during this time period had their life planned out for them, which was to grow up, get married, have children, and live the rest of their life trapped in a marriage. One could view as this torture to an extent, due to the lack to women having a life of their own or pursuing any of their own interest. A question then occurs, why not just divorce him? Unfortunately, it was not as easily done as today because back then women were empathized and scorned. So in order to save face they proceeded with the norms enforced in society to “obey the husband.” At one time this was incorporated in vow upon marriage but today these words are omitted because of such misconceptions.
Women during this era were compiled of three classes women of the upper-working class, women of the lower-working class, and the underclass women. Although there had been distinction amongst the women power was not applicable, but differences were spotted upon from their daily activities. Underclass women had it the hardest because they had the worst clothes meaning their blouses and skirts were torn. In addition, messy hair and other features resulted in hurting their image furthermore. Lower working class had fulfilled themselves but occupying domestic job such as becoming an agricultural laborer, seamstress, washerwomen, and serving the wealthy.
Whereas, the upper working class had an easier lifestyle compared to those under them. Their appearance always has to be perfect; for instance, laces, corsets, veil, and gloves were to be worn at certain times, thus establishing class. Upper class women were allowed to receive inheritances but it did not mean it was theirs. It actually became their husbands because they were the individuals who took care of all the financials. This is pertinent in Elizabeth’s situation because when her sister had gotten sick she walked approximately five miles to where Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were staying. Upon arriving she was looked terrible, an individual like me would not have cared but Mr. Bingley’s sisters were first to point out how she look un-presentable. Such judgment bared great meaning at the time but as time continued such constrictions slowly began to evade.