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This article explains Jane Austen's thoughts on marriage during her time period by means of analyzing her novel Pride and Prejudice. The author of this article concludes that Austen wanted to demonstrate though her characters and book, "the unhappy consequences of unwise marriages." Austen contrasts the two types of marriage by means of her fictional couples and she exemplifies marriage based on wealth and marriages based on love. The correct link to article: http://search.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=MOL9610000388&site=lrc-live

Argument: Jane Austen discreetly demonstrates her moral and religious perspective in her novels. Claim: The inferiority of the heroines allow them to assume the role of the moral observer; therefore, allowing the degrees of 'self-contempt' of the characters in Austen's novels to portray a moral reflection on their flaws. Evidence: ". . . heroines come within easy reach of one of the great archetypes--Cinderella . . . What we get more of is the pains of the heroine in her role of compelled observer." http://search.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=16242517&site=lrc-live.

Argument: The argument of the critism on the language of Jane Austen, and the women of the time period, is that language and speech was used as a weapon. The critic also claims that although Austen speaks out about language as a manipulative tool, her female characters often use it that way. Language was used as a weapon by women because they were seen lower than men in the society of Austen's time. Language and speech were the only way to counteract male dominance, and allowed the women to have some influence. Not only speech was used, but also silence. The Critic claims that women used Language to manipulate and get their way. Evidence: "Female speech "veiled Warfare" " the female characters in Sense and Sensibility language- or the absence of it to manipulate those around them, as well as Austen's clear commentary on such manipulations of power." "Play games with language." The critic gives many examples of when Austen's characters in Sense and Sensibility use language to manipulate, and get what they want. He also shows the power Austen has with language. Thoughts: Michal Beth Dinkler, makes a strong argument, with good examples, on Austen's use of language. His critism also shows the social standing and mind set of women in Austen's day. Her books make women seem more intelligent and stronger than the men of that time period. This is because of Austen's masterful use of the English language.

The author's ( Maureen Cutajar) purpose is to explain the irony and structure of Jane Austen's view on the society of her time and to explain Austen's purpose in Pride and Prejudice in terms of the romance in the novel. Cutajar writes on how Austen describes two ways of falling in love and how those reflect on the society of the time. The two ways to fall in love that Austen writes in her novel Pride and Prejudice, is that of instant meeting (or love at first sight) and the love that develops slowly over time as is the case with Elizabeth and Darcy. What Cutajar concludes then is that, "Nevertheless, it seems that the 'rational' choice is not based on how quickly one falls in love but rather on what grounds" (Cutajar). Also, according to Cutajar, she concludes that, "Love therefore is not enough on its own and does not lead to happiness if it goes against the social system" (Cutajar). As for my own thoughts, I am interested in Austen's views on society, especially pertaining to marriage and the social "norm" at the time, especially because Austen's novels mainly reflect the idea of society and marriage. It is also interesting to compare the norm when it comes to marriage then and now and see how they differ or relate.

Argument:This article was based on other critics arguments on Sense and Sensibility and whether or not the novel's purpose was feministic and the differnce or importance of having sense and sensibility. Evidence:-"Austen understood the position of women who were deprived of the means to earn an income but needed to maintain their social standing." -"The triumph of sense over sensibility in the novel establishes the value of conventional feminine virtues, a position also espoused by other writers in the aftermath of the Revolution." -"Austen advocated a woman's possessing "sense," not "sensibility," while others have argued that Austen advocated possessing neither one nor the other, but a balance between the two." "signaling Austen's attempt to reshape ideas about gender through her novel." Thoughts:Though the critics argue on the feminist or anti-feminist attitude of Jane Austen and her novels, it is clear that the purpose of her novels is feministic in nature. Whether based on her life, or simply fictional, the novels are promoting a view on the women's place in society, as it is, and as it should be.

Purpose: The author shows how Lady Bertram's pet Pug is a symbol of society and the role of Women at the time. She argues that Austen demonstrates the indolence and growing modernization of society and its roles by means of the lapdog ever so present throughout the novel (although a subtle presence). Evidence: "she [Austen] also subtly highlights most of the revolutionary issues of the day: women's nature and place, social class, nationalism and the Empire, Darwinian physiognomy, religion and morality, urbanization, and slavery." "She shows Lady Bertram treating her pug like a baby, always in her lap or in her arms…much as a young mother spends her afternoons watching a toddler." "All this, added to the failures of Lady Bertram's children, serves to illustrate the moral that a woman's duty is to mother her children not to waste her time with pets." "Katherine McDonogh's argument that pet dogs in the French Revolution were shown to be superior to kennel dogs, in being pedigreed and therefore elite, and to symbolize the idle and dissolute aristocracy." "Yet the pug also symbolizes the decadence and laziness of the idle rich." "Beth Dixon points out that women being connected to animals in literature shows that women are bodily, natural, and emotional, therefore closer to being animals themselves than men are." "the pug, while an understandable presence, still evokes and symbolizes the evils of modernity which it has been adopted to alleviate" "it also reprimands traditional culture for keeping women like her daughters Maria and Julia repressed to the point where they erupt in rebellion against strictures of all kinds, especially those prescribing lives as human lapdogs for themselves." Thoughts: I agree with the arguments presented in this criticism and I also find it interesting that such a subtle thing as a lapdog can have so much to say about Austen's purpose or at least one of her purposes to Mansfield Park.

Argument: Jane Austen relied on familiar experiences rather than render characters and situations out of unrealistic circumstances. Claim: Austen's sickly condition towards the end of her life influenced her creation of the imperfect, yet tangible heroines. The frail Fanny and the plain Elizabeth both share uncanny abilities to make profound observations of the society. Evidence: "She was struck down, however, with a deilitating and crippling illness ." ". . . she did not attempt a scope which might have been above her powers . . . She also had observed that the real dramas of life were played out in the everyday world of ordinary people." http://search.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=MOL0260000110&site=lrc-live.

Argument: The argument is that Jane Austen's purpose for writing Pride and Prejudice is to help to show social idealism and the question "the system" of the time period in regards to politics, marriage, feminism, and other social problems. Evidence:"Austen subtly and ironically points out faults in the system, raising questions about the values of English society and the power structure of the country." "the novel seems to work toward an ideological balance and an alteration in the fundamental aspects of these characters" "the most prominent trends in criticism of Pride and Prejudice have derived from the perspectives of literary feminism, including analysis of the novel's view of female oppression," Thoughts: The criticsim discusses the main themes of Austen's novels and points out her attempt to pursuade and her idealism on the consepts of marriage, and social standing. The critic also stresses the idea that Austen's books protesteed male dominance and the amount of power that men had in society compared to women. also talked about is Austen's control over language and the way that she makes her points with eloquence and captivating plots.

Argument: Jane Austen's novels have become popular because of their ability to transcend generations. Claim: Austen's use of irony in character development plays a significant role in the appeal of her characters. Because she highlighted their susceptibilities with moral perspectives, the characters charm the audience more than just a blantant description of a character. Evidence: "Elizabeth Bennet may be prejudiced, but she is also far more perceptive than most of the society around her. Darcy is proud, yet at the same time curiously humble." "How different, how much less effective than the slow unfolding, he almost imperceptible growth of a character like Darcy's, or Elizabeth's, or Emma's." http://search.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=9509236170&site=lrc-live.

Arguement: Charecter, love and marriage are all major components of Pide and Prejudice and Emma. This article explains the connection between love, character and a long lasting healthy marriage. The authors say that character absolutly effects love and how healthy a marriage is. Claim: This article proves the mordern thinking of Austen. Both main characters, Elizabeth and Emma say they will only marry for love and doubt that it will ever even happen. This is very forward thinking for a woman of that time. In that period of history women generally married in order to gain status, and baisically live, not on the basis of love or character. Its a very current idea that love is what marriage is based on and can only be sustained if both have good character. Evidence: "Character in a successful marriage or relationship does matter" (Schmitz) "Being honest and trustworthy is at the heart of all the best loving relationships we have studied" (Schmitz) "People who love each other have character when it comes to their marriage or relationship." (Schmitz)