literature

The values of the novel's context include hierarchal notions of class, in which social activities, lifestyles and attitudes are dependant. Another value is reinforced by a male-dominated society, where the women are to be obedient and rely on men, and sexuality is not confronted or mentioned.

The ownership of land was the real paradigm of class. The landed gentry were the apogee of society and in most cases this was predetermined through heredity. When someone died, there were no inheritance rights for women--hence the need to marry women off to financially secure men.

As Jane Austen states in the opening chapter of her ...