LITERATURE

Women in Jane Austen's Writings

Women in Jane Austen's Writings

Introduction

This paper entails the argument that the personal and individual happiness of the heroine has never remained the primary purpose of Austen's novels. This paper would discuss this argument in relation to the novel Northanger Abbey.

The conclusion is the most important part of a novel. It is the part that brings an end to the climax and conflicts of the novel, and fulfils the desires of readers. However, in the ending of Northanger Abbey, the heroine does not get what she deserves.

Austen belonged to a period in which writers seldom used to write about women. At that time, women were not the main character of a novel. A number of novels published at that time had women as the vital component. However, there was no individuality and personality of women. The role of women was moulded on the basis of how women should be.

The personal happiness of the heroine was not the primary focus of Austen's novels because women had a weak position in society. Women, particularly in the novels, were not bright. It is because of this reason that most of women in Austen's novels are unable to support themselves.

Discussion

In the 19th century, the position of women in British society was weaker than that of men. It was believed that nature has selected the inferiority of women. There were different feminist novels in the 19th century. One of the earliest feminist writers was Jane Austen (Monaghan, 1981, pp. 105). The work of Jane Austen opposed the perception that women are inferior. In most of her novels, Jane Austen has directed the attention of audience towards the prevalent gender inequality in the society (Austen, 1994, pp. 34).

Northanger Abbey is one of the novels written by Jane Austen. In Northanger Abbey, Austen has reflected gender inequality by presenting two types of women. In the novel, Austen has classified women into good and heroine. The definition of good women encompasses those who fulfil all social expectations with great responsibility. On the other side 'heroine' women are those who are stronger than good women. Heroines show great courage but eventually suffer. However, good women are submissive and do not suffer. The prevalence of gender discrimination present in the British society can be comprehended from this explanation.

In the 19th century England, qualities and virtues were highly valued. Women were expected to possess good virtues. The society used to categorise women on the basis of their qualities. Jane Austen has highlighted those virtues in a number of her novels. It can be examined from her novels that the virtues of women were meant to devaluate and oppress women. However, women used to perform all actions to fulfil the expectations of the society (Gerster, 2000, pp. 115). The novel of Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, has also proved the devaluation and oppression of women.

Women in that era were unaware of the prevalence of gender inequalities. Women had no idea that by performing those ...