Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Cambridge Companion-Chapter 9
In chapter 9, Money, he talks about different ways that money was brought up throughout all of Jane Austen's books. Especially in Pride and Prejudice, income is discussed very openly. When characters are introduced, they say how much they earn yearly and talk about their salaries. Heiresses incomes are not said "yearly," like men's though, they are said to have a "fortune" of whatever amount. It says they "regularly pace the romances of Jane Austen's novels." It seems like money guides a lot of relationships. For example, one reason Miss Charlotte married Mr. Collins was for money and security. Also, Mrs. Gardiner tried to deter Elizabeth from getting involved with Wickham because he was not good enough for her, due to his lack of money.
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Note that Austen bases her main female leads around the social status she was in; middle class. The female characters she creates always finds her prince charming with deep pockets. She uses money to not only show power but to also create a forbidden romance aspect.
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