research on feminism in pride and prejudice

A Contemporary Feminist Understanding of Pride and Prejudice

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Volume 17 The Review Article 9

An Unfounded Universal Truth: A Contemporary Feminist Understanding of Pride and Prejudice

Jenna DeForte St. John Fisher College, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation DeForte, Jenna. "An Unfounded Universal Truth: A Contemporary Feminist Understanding of Pride and Prejudice." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 17 (2016): -. Web. [date of access]. .

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Abstract Many people have deemed Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen a timeless tale. This story has been adapted through many different mediums and has been reimagined in all different contexts. One of the most recent reincarnations of this story is a web-series on YouTube that spanned 100 episodes. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries builds a whole new world for Austen’s familiar characters to grow and develop in. Using a feminist lens, the original novel and adaptation are examined in how both works represented the female characters. Through the analysis of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice it is clear that her characters befit the twenty-first century ideology effortlessly and, more importantly, thrive from the shift. This emphasizes the craft of Austen and her alignment with some feminist ideals.

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Jenna DeForte

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Through the analysis of Pride and Prejudice a single man in possession of a good fortune it is clear that her characters fit into the must be in want of a wife” (1). This is how twenty-first century ideology effortlessly the famed love story of Elizabeth Bennet and, more importantly, thrive from the shift. and Fitzwilliam Darcy begins: with an oversimplification of what every man and Marriage Plot and Feminism woman aspires to have: a marriage. Jane Austen decides to begin her novel Pride and Pride and Prejudice follows a marriage plot Prejudice with this rather interesting line. and uses marriage ideology of the early The next 376 pages are dedicated to how nineteenth-century. Lori Halvorsen Zerne one family tries, rather successfully, to establishes that marriage ideology “demands marry off its five daughters. Fast-forward that gentlewomen find both financial and 200 years after the novel is published. This romantic fulfillment in marriage (1-2). familiar line is sarcastically recited as a 21st- Women take on specific pre-determined century Lizzie Bennet establishes that a web roles of wife and mother that limit their series vlog would be a far cry from its freedoms keeping them dependent on men. source material. The adaptation The Lizzie During Austen’s time a woman had few Bennet Diaries, a 100 episode YouTube options; she either got married and raised a series from 2012 -2013, switches focus and family, or she became a spinster. There was often surprises the audience in the ways it not much else for her to do. Education for decides to re-tell this famous story. women was usually nothing more than domestic understandings and left them at a There has been a debate about where Austen loss to maintain their own lives. Austen’s fits on a feminist spectrum, if she does at all. novel reaffirms and reinforces society’s While developing a full understanding of ideals about women and marriage by ending how The Lizzie Bennet Diaries adapts the the novel with three marriages. A happy original source material of Pride and ending is to fall in love with a very rich man Prejudice, this essay specifically examines and marry him, which is what her heroines the characters created by Austen, as they are do. The characters may challenge some of translated to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries the patriarchal notions and rebel against through a feminist perspective. The changes some restrictions placed upon them, but they made to these characters most obviously always end up falling into the role they were present a feminist perspective that at first destined for. glance seems to be new. Yet, upon further examination of Austen’s original writing Even though The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an and characters, as well as with an adaptation it quickly separates itself from understanding of feminist ideals of her time, the marriage ideology underlying Pride and it is apparent that Austen’s characters are Prejudice. The opening lines and major plot less traditional. The web-series capitalizes points may all be the same, but the focal on a newly forming fourth wave of points are vastly different. Lizzie Bennet feminism that utilizes the Internet to bring quickly flips the immensely recognizable Austen’s characters into a new light. first line of the book on its head. She

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skeptically wonders, “universal truth, The terms feminist and feminism did not really?” because she cannot fathom a come into use until the late 19th century and woman aspiring to only become a wife emerged from the French word “feminisme” regardless of the wealth of her husband (My (Oxford English Dictionary). This does not Name is Lizzie Bennet). Her mother’s mean, however, that there were not women obsession with marrying off her daughters is who found a voice on the subject of the presented as ludicrous and often allows second-class citizenship that women largely Lizzie to turn her mother into a caricature, experienced at this time. Mary something that she does through Costume Wollstonecraft is one of the most notorious Theater scenes. Lizzie does not buy into her persons who led the way in describing and mother’s convoluted plans because marriage advocating for women’s rights. is not her only objective in life. Whereas Elizabeth Bennet is concerned with A Vindication of the Rights of Woman was economic stability through marriage, Lizzie published in 1792 by Mary Wollstonecraft Bennet has some room for failure in her detailing her highly radical views of women society. In the 21stcentury, marriage is no to receive the same fundamental rights longer the only option for women. Through reserved for men. She applied these beliefs Lizzie and the other women, the series specifically to women’s education and focuses more upon women having a career morality. She is specifically addressing and and ambition. Education is finally available describing the women of the middle class to these women so they can possess the tools which she claims are in the most “natural they need to achieve success. They are state” (11). Her aim is to expose the creating their own financial stability rather injustice that women experience in their than relying on men for it. This Lizzie “slavish dependence” upon men (12). She Bennet is a graduate student whose goals for believes that women are not inherently her future are not centered on marrying a weaker than men and that women should rich man. thus receive the same benefits as their male equivalents. Women have a right to The utter rejection of the sentiment that this education other than just domestic first line of the book represents demonstrates understandings. They also should not be how this series has been born out of a new restricted in their morality because they are ideology fitting for a twenty-first century perceived to be weaker in mind and body woman. The main women characters are than men. unapologetic for taking the things that they want. These women find romantic Mary Wollstonecraft’s writings challenged relationships come second to their career her society’s constructs for women in choices. The strong female characteristics of education. She claimed that the male the book’s characters are only enhanced by dominance and fear of allowing women a the web series. The marital union that closes proper education “contribute to enslave the book is not the ideal for the ending of the women by cramping their understandings adaptation. While the book moves toward and sharpening their senses” (25). Women marriage, the web series moves toward are forced to be dependent on their husbands female autonomy and agency. Lizzie Bennet for everything from political participation to is trying to navigate her career opportunities economic stability, both in knowledge and and finishing her graduate degree, not trying lawful rights. This system forcibly makes to find a husband. women seem weaker; they are not allowed to grow in society as men are allowed to do.

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It was believed at the time that if a woman Facebook in movements such as #HeforShe ever presented herself as independent she and #GirlsLikeUs. With these online actions would appear less appealing to male suitors. women can pick and choose what they Wollstonecraft states, “The woman who affiliate themselves with. strengthens her body and exercises her mind will…become the friend, and not the humble The Lizzie Bennet Diaries grows out of this dependent of her husband.” (33). Women relatively new movement. It is not all that who do not limit themselves will become hard however to shift these characters and partners with their husbands. If women are problems into the 21st century dynamic. The allowed to receive a proper education they women of the novel demanded more for can find a balance with their husbands. themselves even though they had so few options. The web series strips away the From Wollstonecraft’s radical views women limitations that Austen’s female characters were allowed to find commonality and begin had, to allow these characters to develop to fight for their right toward equal rights toward their potential. Jane Austen wrote with men. What is called first wave strong female characters that were confined feminism addressed women’s right to vote. to the conventions of their time. When they The second wave of feminism spurred are set free from the social constructions that women to rally for economic, personal, and Mary Wollstonecraft points out as limits to political equality. Next came the third shift women’s agency, Austen’s female toward women using media platforms to characters become a reflection of all the fight for not only white women’s equality, radical notions Wollstonecraft described and but also equality for all women of all are present in fourth wave feminism. ethnicities, sexual orientation, and gender identities. Now, however, there has been a Certain female characters in Pride and new shift toward a more unapologetic Prejudice push against the societal realization of equality. Gathering strong expectations and pressures that are placed reactions from online sources and a growing upon them. According to James Fordyce community within social networking sites (1765), young women of the 18th and 19th define this new feminist movement. century should be not be “spirited” or “witty” (96). He specifically states, in terms This new shift has been defined as fourth of marriage, “men of the best sense have wave feminism. Women finding their own been usually averse to the thought of voice and independence largely define the marrying a witty female” (192). His advice fourth wave. These women take what they to women is to remain submissive to their want. They are not shrinking into male counterparts. Fordyce sought to “keep submission, but finding a rather women down, silenced, and powerless,” a unapologetic voice arguing for their state which Austen’s main female characters autonomy over their lives. Kira Cochrane, in revolt against (Dabundo 45). The only one All the Rebel Women, notes that this is who may come close to Fordyce’s ideal is largely accomplished through online Jane in her passive courtship with Mr. communities. She states the Internet Bingley, but this is quickly proven to be the “enables women to raise their voices, bring worst way to win a man since he is easily feminist issues into the mainstream, and convinced that she does not like him and she organize powerfully across boarders” almost loses him forever. (Cochrane location 610). This has been highly evident on Tumblr, Twitter, and

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Web Series Elizabeth/Lizzie

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is the brainchild Elizabeth works against the expectations of Hank Green and Bernie Su. Both men are that she should keep her mouth shut and get well versed in the ways of the Internet, married to the first man who offers. She is where Hank Green is of Vlogbrothers fame not passive like Jane. Elizabeth is not afraid and Bernie Su is credited with writing and to speak up against people who presume to directing numerous critically acclaimed have power over her. After Darcy insults her web-based series. On April 12th, 2012 Hank and her family in offering his hand in Green released a video describing his hopes marriage, fully expecting her acceptance for the new web series. The Lizzie Bennet because he is so rich and powerful, she Diaries was aimed to be a low production reprimands him for failing to address her in value series based off of a girl creating a a gentleman-like manner (189). Elizabeth is video blog in her room. Green specifically looking for an equal partnership in her states the idea came from him wanting to marriage. Even though she knows that she is “take a previous work and put into this new dependent upon a man to provide for her, media [YouTube]” (Introducing Lizzie she believes that she should have some Bennet). This series would span two books, power in the relationship. This reflects 100 series-related episodes, multiple spin- Wollstonecraft’s view that men and women off episodes, and the beginning of YouTube should have an equal partnership in marriage becoming a format to generate fictional web (33). Elizabeth, defending her possible series based off of classical books. marriage with Darcy to Lady Catherine, The series began April 9th, 2012 and specifically notes that “[Darcy] is a introduced one of the most snarky, relatable gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so Elizabeth Bennet characters. far we are equal” (345). In the realm of their society, Elizabeth views her status to be Living in present day California, the Bennet equivalent to Darcy. family is still crazy as ever. These characters come to life through transmedia storytelling It should not be forgotten, however, that and twenty-first century social networking Elizabeth does indeed marry Darcy and in sites. Lizzie is a lot like her book some ways becomes the woman that Mr. counterpart in the fact that she is immensely Collins describes in his proposal to her: “I headstrong and stubborn in her views of the know it to be the established custom of your world around her. This does not detract, sex to reject a man on the first application” though, from her loving and very (91). Elizabeth rejects Darcy on the first entertaining side that the viewers and proposal, but accepts on the second. It is readers enjoy so much. Charlotte, Jane, and interesting that Elizabeth’s feelings toward Lydia find themselves in their own spin-offs Mr. Darcy begin to change at Pemberly. of Lizzie’s original vlog. The story follows Essentially Elizabeth acts like the women Lizzie through her last year of graduate that Mr. Collins described – indirectly, of school. The struggles of the twenty-first course – as denying Mr. Darcy and causing century become intermixed with the him to change becoming more appealing to romantic and platonic plots within the book. her. Darcy must change to be compatible with Elizabeth, and Elizabeth also transforms by the end of the novel. She takes on a slightly more submissive role, as

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she becomes Darcy’s wife and mistress of Charlotte and Jane Pemberly. Charlotte, on the other hand, does not Elizabeth’s feminist views and necessarily work against society’s characteristics are magnified as she is expectations, but uses them to her translated to the silver screen of YouTube. advantage. Charlotte is a great manipulator Zerne points out “by earning a seemingly of circumstances. Charlotte, in the book, frivolous graduate degree in mass realizes that she is reaching an age when communications, Lizzie seems to be marriage will no longer be an option. Laura resisting our culture’s emphasis on Dabundo characterizes Charlotte as a beginning a career, much as Elizabeth seems woman who “acts in accordance with her to have no urgency to marry” (6). Elizabeth own wishes to devise and then implement and Lizzie both reject their society’s her own marital strategy” (42). All she has pressure to fit a mold. They want to do ever wanted is “a comfortable home” and is things on their own terms. Through her vlog, confident that her “chance of happiness with Lizzie literally gets a forum to explain to the [Mr. Collins] is as fair as most people can world her thoughts and feelings on a boast on entering the marriage state” (125). multitude of subjects. She is never silenced. Mr. Collins is her ticket to finally achieve Like Elizabeth, Lizzie is also out-spoken what every girl is supposed to achieve in the toward those who try to show power over 18th and early 19th century. She has an her, and reprimands Darcy for declaring his economical view of marriage that allows her love for her. However, in this version her manipulate Mr. Collins into marrying her reproach of him lasts longer because he is after Elizabeth has rejected him. Charlotte directed to watch her 59 previous episodes navigates and calculates her way to her end cataloging how much she hates him (Are goal. She does not fit a feminine mold of a You Kidding Me). Lizzie still views herself woman in love, but is somewhat masculine as an equal to Darcy even though he has a in her pursuit of financial stability. much more entitled social position. She will not allow him to stake a claim to her The Lizzie Bennet Diaries uses Charlotte’s because he says he loves her. When Darcy practical views and economic worries as the offers her a job at his well-established media plot focuses more on career than courtship. company, Pemberly Digital, he even states Charlotte Lu is realistic in her goals for what that he would set up a whole department just she wants in life, very much like her book for her. Lizzie declines the offer saying, “I counterpart, Charlotte Lucas. Where don’t want to be the girl that dates the boss” Charlotte Lucas is looking for someone to (Future Talk). Lizzie does not want the offer “stable finances and romance,” charity of her boyfriend, where, in reality, he Charlotte Lu is looking to procure her own is not valuing her abilities and skills but her “finances and personal fulfillment” (Zerne presence. She wants to take control of her 6). Often during the web series, Charlotte is own life and see what she can do on her own a foil for Lizzie. She does not live in an merit. Lizzie continuously tries to push “imaginary fantasyland” as Lizzie often against what people are telling her is right does. She recognizes that success comes for her life to achieve the dreams that she with “luck, hard work, and more luck” has. (Happiness in the Pursuit of Life). Charlotte is actually pretty conniving in taking the job from Lizzie at Collins and Collins. She sees the opportunity for a relatively good job

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with possible paths for promotions, and Mr. Bingley. Even though she is essentially seizes it. She essentially hijacks Lizzie’s following Bingley to London, she is still vlog – without Lizzie’s knowledge – and active in this decision. She is still active in manipulates Ricky, who never even realizes this decision, rather than sadly and passively that he has been manipulated, into giving her waiting for his return. the job (Your Pitch Needs Work). Charlotte, again, does not fulfill typical female Jane finds her voice in the web series stereotypes, but exhibits immense business because she does not always follow social savvy to gain the security of a bright career. conventions to achieve her goals. In The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Jane is still a passive Following the fourth wave feminist and quiet person. She is “practically perfect ideology, Charlotte is unapologetic for in every way” and largely follows this accepting a job that may not be as description throughout the series (My glamorous as Lizzie would want for her. She Sisters). She is nice to every person she sees this job as a stepping-stone toward a meets and tries to see the positive side to fulfilling career that optimizes her skills. everyone, as she does in the book, but in this Charlotte proves to Lizzie that “there are series she fights for what she wants. This different paths to personal fulfillment and Jane is happily pursuing her dream career in that [they] may be negotiated in diverse fashion without a man by her side. The ways” (Zerne 6). In this moment Charlotte is focus for Jane is always her career. She does concerned with her individual goals and is enjoy dating Bing and dearly loves him, but disappointed that Lizzie does not share in will not let him stop her from achieving her her satisfaction. goals. The tables get turned in the web series. When Bing comes to visit Jane before Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas have the most she leaves for New York City she feminist characteristics, but Jane also has immediately assumes he is going to ask her her moments. On the surface, Jane Bennet to stay and she quickly shuts it down saying, represents the pure and passive female “how unfair of you to ask [me to stay].” To idealized during the 19th century. Dabundo which he responds, “I’m asking if I can go characterizes Jane as a very static character with you” (Goodbye Jane). He decides to that “does not…act for herself” (43). She drop out of medical school and follow Jane goes on to say that Jane benefits from to New York City. Jane, like Lizzie and having others intervene on her behalf (43). Charlotte, puts herself and her goals before a This is not the whole story. Jane is passive relationship. In this sense, Bing takes on the and quiet in her whole affair with Mr. role normally reserved for the woman, while Bingley, but she does not possess the Jane takes the role normally reserved for the personality of Elizabeth to be outspoken. male. And even Elizabeth, very outgoing and strong-willed, gets an offer of marriage from Lydia and Social Media a man she hates, because she does not express her disgust toward Darcy enough, as The character of Lydia has the most Jane does not express her strong attachment significant changes and the most pointed use to Bingley enough. This silence puts both of social media through the world of The sisters in unfavorable situations at first. It Lizzie Bennet Diaries, which underscores can be argued, as well, that when Jane goes the new feminist movement. to London and meets with Caroline Bingley, she is more actively trying to interact with

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Like Jane, the representation of Lydia in The comes to fruition when Wickham uses her Lizzie Bennet Diaries challenges both our for sex. Lydia is the epitome of her society’s initial view of Lydia Bennet and the novel’s constructs, but to the utmost extremes that judgment of her. She is reckless, boy-crazy, leave the reader with no pity because of her and unrelentingly ignorant of the situations lack of remorse. she gets herself into; Lizzie defines Lydia as a “stupid, whorey slut” (My Sisters). Lydia’s downfall is partly a product of her However, where book-Lydia never upbringing. Mrs. Bennet’s overindulgence in recognizes that her choices have her youngest daughter leaves Lydia feeling consequences, adaptation-Lydia is allowed entitled and unaware that her actions have to come to terms with her consequences and consequences. Added to the lack of to mature into an independent woman. discipline from her father this fuels Lydia’s Austen’s one-dimensional character is ignorance of the world around her. Not once fleshed out and given a full range of throughout the whole book does Lydia ever emotions, allowing the audience to truly have to face consequences. She never empathize with her in the web series. specifically recognizes that her actions risked ruining the family name. Lydia does Austen offers a full description of Lydia’s not even consider what Mr. Darcy does a manner early in the book. It is explained that rescue, but rather sees him as another option her spoiling mother thrusts Lydia into to give her away at her wedding. Lydia society, which only further fuels her “high cannot see to how her actions are wrong animal spirits” (46). Lydia is petted and because she was never forced to understand praised by everyone who surrounds her, the difference between right and wrong. from officers to her Aunt and Mother. Lydia is very blunt about the things she wants. Wollstonecraft would argue Lydia’s book When visiting Jane at Netherfield Lydia character to be a representation of how the takes no time before addressing Mr. Bingley lack of education causes morality issues. to hold a ball in a “sudden attack” (46). She Wollstonecraft suggested that teaching is direct and abrupt. Lydia is never women only to value love, sensual feelings, reprimanded for her outburst and rude and thoughts of that nature, will “lead them interrogation of Mr. Bingley. shamefully to neglect the duties of life, and frequently in the midst of these sublime It is not until Elizabeth objects to her father refinements… plump [them] into the actual about Lydia’s trip to Brighton that the reader vice” (192). As in Wollstonecraft’s warning, is made to understand her troubling Lydia acts on vices and stays with a man out manners. Lydia is now sixteen and worse off of wedlock, presumably having sex. Both than she was when she was fifteen. Austen and Wollstonecraft seem to suggest Elizabeth worries that “the assurance and that if Lydia had received a proper education disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia’s and been given the tools to assess her character” will undoubtedly fix her as the situation and worth, then she might not have “most determined flirt” if she goes to fallen as far as she did. Brighton (226). The things that Lydia values are superficial: boys, clothes, and Lydia’s book character, however, lends herself. In the view of Mary Wollstonecraft, herself easily to the values represented by Lydia’s wild manners leave her a “slave of fourth wave feminism. Lydia is unapologetic her own feelings” so that she will be “easily for her choices. She takes what she wants. subjugated by those of others” (108) This She decides to go with Wickham because

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she wants to and sees no reason why she (Boredom). She projects confidence and a cannot. Most often her behavior is love of life that no one can really match. She considered ignorant, but what if Lydia is a forced to be reckoned with. Adaptation- simply does not care about conventions? Lydia, though, is not just energetic and Elizabeth Veisz states, “[Lydia’s] free- solely focused on herself; she cares about spiritedness allows the reader to imagine the her family and their troubles too. However, world around Longbourn from a point of her family has a hard time reciprocating her view unencumbered by a consciousness of love. Trudy J. Morgan-Cole states “it’s not female privation or inferiority of status” easy being the least obviously bright and (35). Lydia decides to put “her sexual desire talented of the Bennet daughters, nor being ahead of both financial concerns and the odd girl out of Lizzie and Jane’s tight propriety,” which of course is not sisterly bond” (Zerne 3). The family often completely smart but she is doing this for brushes Lydia off as childish and ignorant herself (Zerne 3). She is only sixteen, her just waiting for her to finally fail. Being shut mindset is still very childish, but this is the out from her family leads her to find solace life that she wants. All the qualities that are with Wickham. Lydia is often times often considered bad such as being out- separated from her sisters by the action of spoken and having high spirits recommend her parents or her sisters themselves. She Lydia to 21st century ideology. even gets defensive when cousin Mary asks why Lydia is not with her sisters at The adaptation at first presents Lydia as Netherfield (Boredom). This separation is problematic, which aligns itself with Austen. where Wickham comes in. Through Lydia’s She gets the same treatment that book-Lydia own vlog the viewer witnesses Lydia’s gets. No one in the family holds high spiral into an abusive relationship with expectations for Lydia. Her family Wickham who takes advantage of her celebrates little victories that often mock isolation. Lydia is coerced into consenting to Lydia and reinforce her reputation as an a sex tape because she is afraid of losing overtly sexual woman who likes to party. Wickham’s love and attention like she has Lizzie even jokes about how it is an lost her family’s attention. Where in the achievement that Lydia has surpassed the book Lydia’s downfall is partly a product of age of being a teen mom. She is like a her upbringing, this downfall is a product of puppy, “a cute, adorable, humps the Lydia’s isolation from her family. neighbor’s leg, never knows where she sleeps puppy” (My Sisters). Also in this Episode by episode Lydia’s façade is episode, Lydia is called a slut, not any slut stripped away to reveal a more sympathetic but a “stupid, whorey” one. Lizzie, the elder and deserving woman. Lydia slowly moves sister, views her sister as irresponsible and toward becoming her own independent promiscuous. It would seem that this Lydia woman separate from her sisters. Before the is very much like the Lydia of the book, but downfall she is confident, but lacks the as the series progresses adaptation-Lydia is strength to separate herself from the role her revealed more complex than this. family has given her. She maintains her gives-no-shit attitude throughout the series, Lydia’s persona as a party girl is largely a though. Lydia disregards the pressures of role that her family has thrust upon her. financial stability and propriety for what she When she creates her own video blog she deems “Lydia’s Laws” (Enjoy the Adorbs). defines herself as “a treasure” and “any One of the “laws” that Lydia creates is essence of Lydia is better than no Lydia” “nothing gets done without alcohol,” which

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places emphasis on her partying behavior targets the people who slut shame and and persona. These types of actions in the victim blame, but there are also viewers that book force the reader to dislike Lydia, but openly speak out against these attitudes. for the web series Lydia is presenting her laws as ways to bring Jane and Bing In both instances – the book and adaptation together. She is not completely self- – Lydia becomes a victim. Regardless of her absorbed, as it would seem. Lydia continues understanding of her situation, Lydia is to display to the audience that she is not a mislead and easily manipulated, a “victim of vapid party girl; instead she uses her out- the double standard against which women going and unrelenting personality to are measured” (Dabundo 46). Wickham is persuade people to do what she wants. She allowed to have sex with whomever he gains sympathy from the viewers because wants and never be judged for it in the book she becomes a real and likable person She is and the adaptation. Lydia, both times, risks unapologetic for seeing things from a her reputation and her family’s reputation. different perspective. Lydia thus becomes an Though it seems that the stakes are higher in admirable character that the audience is the book because of 19th century values, rooting for. Lydia’s sex tape scandal still provides a life- altering, inerasable tarnish to her reputation The YouTube medium allows viewers of the and name. Zerne points out “Lydia’s story show to interact through comments that both demonstrates that even with greater sexual push against and perpetuate patriarchal freedom and equality, women remain ideals. Within the first nine episodes there is vulnerable to unscrupulous men” (3). Lydia already a push from viewers who defend addresses this in the 88th episode “Okay,” Lydia’s behavior. Aseasyash comments on and becomes a victim of slut-shamming YouTube “Lydia is excitable, inexperienced comments that blame her for her actions and and led astray. That, to me, says party girl even praise the guy for his sexual more than slut.” (Single and Happyish ). The accomplishment. One commenter points out fans already want to give Lydia the benefit how Wickham would hardly get any of the doubt rather than allow Lizzie to backlash in the reveal of the sex tape, and present Lydia as an unintelligible child who Lydia would get all of it (Consequences). does not know right from wrong. But they The web series proves the constructed also turn on her. The real life viewers ideology of women needing to be pure and comment and tweet at Lydia about her non-promiscuous because real people behavior with Wickham. The comments say comment on a fictional character’s prowess “Lydia, get over yourself” and “Lydia, stop with men. being so dramatic” or “I think Lydia needs to take responsibility for her actions and The web series is able to expand these well- reactions” (Consequences). These comments known female characters mainly because of are tame compared to what other women the different ideologies that drive the plots face on a regular basis, but get close to how of the two works. Zerne says, “while Pride misogynistic and patriarchal thinking is and Prejudice focuses on love as a means of often reflected in YouTube comments and gaining financial security, The Lizzie Bennet other internet forums (Cochrane Location Diaries emphasizes the importance of 707). Yet, there are also viewers who pursuing a career and finding a mate who comment about Lydia’s right to make her supports that career” (5). Based on the choices and how Wickham is an awful marriage ideology and restrictions upon person for using her in this way. The video women’s independence, the only way to

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move up in the world for the women of writing about women’s lives, which largely Austen’s creation was to get married. It is consisted of love and marriage during her important to note, though, that even though time (Xueqing 1828). As much as a reader Austen decided to give her characters would love to get into the head of Darcy and “happy endings” with marriage she did not Bingley, the narration is Elizabeth’s female leave them as damsels in distress. Her perspective on a male-dominated world. The characters fostered feminist ideals that reader feels the frustration of being a reflect, to a degree, Wollstonecraft’s powerless female as Elizabeth watches her writings. The newest wave of feminism is family almost fall apart several times where The Lizzie Bennet Diaries has grown throughout the novel. Darcy, the man she out of and developed a space to maximize decides to marry, has the power to destroy the feminist appeal of Austen’s female her life and people in her family, but he is characters, by minimizing the romantic and also the only one with the power to put her marriage plot in favor of female agency. family back together after Lydia’s downfall. The narrative content of Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice is a relatively is female-centered and female-driven at conservative novel, but does reflect feminist most parts, allowing for certain feminist ideals in two ways. The first, of course, is aspects. her characterization of the female characters. Austen describes women for what they truly The Lizzie Bennet Diaries situated itself in are, not the idealization that men have an arena that largely facilitates the major constructed (Xueqing Wang 1829). This is movements of fourth wave feminism, exemplified largely in Elizabeth’s rebuke of specifically the Internet aspect. Fourth wave Darcy’s list of an accomplished woman. A feminism utilizes the Internet to rally people woman may only say she is accomplished if around multiple feminist campaigns and she “has thorough knowledge of music, demonstrations (Cochrane location 623). It singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern is important to note that even though there languages,” and she must “add something are these feminist movements other anti- more substantial, in the improvement of her feminist language and culture still exists on mind by extensive reading” (40). Elizabeth the Internet, as evident of how people react disparages the idea of there ever being a to Lydia’s indiscretions in the series. Yet, woman able to meet such an incredible the web series addresses these issues in a standard. Elizabeth, as a representation of a way that makes it a manifestation of the female rebelling against her society’s rules Internet’s influence upon the new feminist for women, does not condone or follow the movement. Most of the episodes have only idealization of women. In Pride and female characters talking to each other about Prejudice Austen creates amazing female issues not related to men, which passes the characters that do not even get close to Bechtel test (a simple test where two women meeting the standard set by the beloved in a work of fiction talk to each other about Darcy. something other than a man). No male character enters the vlog until episode 25 Austen also allows for feminist moments in and then men are present in only 26 of the her narrative content. Austen writes novels 100 episodes of the main vlog. The show, about young women for young women by a then, largely represents a female perspective young woman. They offer a woman- that validates a woman’s choice to have a centered story that does not focus on a male meaningful and powerful career. fantasy of what women should be. She is

https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol17/iss1/9 10 DeForte: An Unfounded Universal Truth: A Contemporary Feminist Understandi

Additionally, each female character is given of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries all have a her own Twitter and Facebook account college education and prove to be just as, if where she continues to voice her opinion on not more, cunning as men. These women do matters. Most often these tweets and not rely on men. Charlotte earns her job at Facebook posts discuss real-life current Collins and Collins. By the end of the series topics. The characters interact with the she is essentially the CEO of the United audience and often respond to things that States division of Collins and Collins. Lizzie people say whether it is on twitter, in Q&A herself has found many potential inventors videos, or even Facebook comments. interested in her start-up company that Through social media, characters defend the would be in direct rivalry with her new choices they make on the screen, like, for boyfriend, Mr. Darcy (Future Talk). This example, when Charlotte left the show to web series proves Wollstonecraft’s point pursue her career at Collins and Collins. that women, given the proper education, can Many viewers were sad to see her go and be just as successful as men, and sometimes even felt the same anger that Lizzie felt. even more successful. Charlotte tweets, though, about her excitement for starting her new job, and Jane Austen may not have been as viewers respond (@thecharlottelu). The web revolutionary as Mary Wollstonecraft, but series as a whole truly uses the expanse of her disapproval of the treatment of women the Internet to its advantage. in the 19th century is clear in the strengths of her characters. Elizabeth Bennet is one of The web also exhibits Wollstonecraft’s the most independent women for her time. hopes for women to receive the same The writers of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries education as men with the same capitalized on Jane Austen’s credibility and opportunities for learning. She expressed strong female characters. Lizzie, Charlotte, ideas of how men feared “strengthen[ing] Jane, and Lydia all find happiness on their the female mind,” and losing women’s blind own terms with or without a man, but they obedience (Wollstonecraft 27). The women are the same women that they are in Austen.

References Dabundo, Laura. “The Feminist Critique and Five Styles of Women’s Roles in Pride and Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. Prejudice.” Pride and Prejudice Journal 1 New York: Fine Creative Media Inc, 2003. (2011): 39-53. Print. Print. “Feminism, n.” The Oxford English Cochrane, Kira. All the Rebel Women: The Dictionary. 2 ed. 1989. New York: Oxford Rise of the Fourth Wave of Feminism. New University Press. Print. York: GuardianShorts, 2015. Kindle Version. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

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“Fordyce, James. Sermons to Young Women. … “My Sisters.” Online video clip. 1765. London: Cadell, 1972. Print YouTube. 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

Lu, Charlotte. (TheCharlotteLu). “All move … “Your Pitch Needs Work.” Online video in. Tomorrow begins the new job.” 4 Sep. clip. YouTube. 27 Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Dec. 2012, 1:27 AM. Tweet. 2015.

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. “Are You TheLydiaBennet. “Boredom.” Online video Kidding Me” Online video clip. YouTube. 1 clip. YouTube. 13 Jul. 2012. Web. 17 Dec. Nov. 2012. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. 2015

… “Consequences.” Online video clip. Veisz, Elizabeth. “Lydia’s Prospects: YouTube. 4 Fe. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. Scandal, Sequels, and Second Chances.” Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal On- … “Enjoy The Adorbs.” Online video clip. line 35 (2013): 235 – 243. Web. 17 Dec. YouTube. 14 Jun. 2012. 17 Dec. 2015. 2015.

… “Friends Forever.” Online video clip. Vlogbrothers. “Introducing Lizzie Bennet.” YouTube. 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Dec. Online video clip. YouTube. 12 Apr. 2012. 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

… “Future Talk.” Online video clip. Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of The YouTube. 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. Rights of Woman. 1792. New York: W. W. Norton Company, 2009. Print. … “Goodbye Jane.” Online video clip. YouTube. 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. Xueqing, Wang, and Liu Yan. "Analysis Of The Feminism In Pride And Prejudice." … “Happiness In The Pursuit Of Life.” Theory & Practice In Language Studies 1.12 Online video clip. YouTube. 31 May 2012. (2011): 1827 - 1830. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. Zerne, Lori H. “Ideology in The Lizzie … “My Name is Lizzie Bennet.” Online Bennet Diaries.” Persuasions: The Jane video clip. YouTube. 9 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Austen Journal On-line 34.1 (2013): 1-9. Dec. 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

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Article Title

An Unfounded Universal Truth: A Contemporary Feminist Understanding of Pride and Prejudice

Jenna DeForte , St. John Fisher University Follow

Disciplines

English Language and Literature

Many people have deemed Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen a timeless tale. This story has been adapted through many different mediums and has been reimagined in all different contexts. One of the most recent reincarnations of this story is a web-series on YouTube that spanned 100 episodes. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries builds a whole new world for Austen’s familiar characters to grow and develop in. Using a feminist lens, the original novel and adaptation are examined in how both works represented the female characters. Through the analysis of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice it is clear that her characters befit the twenty-first century ideology effortlessly and, more importantly, thrive from the shift. This emphasizes the craft of Austen and her alignment with some feminist ideals.

Recommended Citation

DeForte, Jenna. "An Unfounded Universal Truth: A Contemporary Feminist Understanding of Pride and Prejudice." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 17 (2016): -. Web. [date of access]. <https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/ur/vol17/iss1/9>.

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American progressives better learn what a feminist is

Democrats may pay a high price for their refusal to recognise the difference between the feminist criticism of gender ideology and right-wing bigotry.

At the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, American superstar Beyonce performed in front of a giant screen blazoned with the word “Feminist” in huge lettering. She said she did it because “people don’t really know or understand what a feminist is”.

She was right. Since then, we have seen over and over again how much of America have no idea what a feminist is and what feminism really stands for.

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Over the past 10 years, we have heard of self-professed “feminists” who proudly declared their support for misogynist-in-chief Donald Trump. Newspapers ran think pieces on how there are many different ways of being a feminist, and how women can still be “feminists” while opposing the most basic tenets of feminism or supporting men who objectively harm women. Sex work became feminist. Objectification of the female body became feminist. Surrogacy, as it helped certain women “have it all”, was also declared feminist. In fact, it became clear that in the American discourse, “feminist” was any woman – or man – who claimed to be one, for whatever reason. People who clashed with sexist, conservative men on any given subject, no matter their positions on any other issue relating to women and girls, were also immediately accepted and celebrated as “feminists”.

Mainstream US “feminism” has become so individualised that every single woman there appears to define it only in terms of what the term means for her. This type of “feminism” does not translate into a collective movement, and therefore develops no principles, ethics or goals. “Feminist” in the current US context has become just another empty identity tag that serves no other purpose than political posturing and virtue signalling.

This is partly the reason why American progressive intelligentsia appears to be struggling to make sense of the left-wing, feminist backlash to the rapid mainstreamisation of “gender ideology” in the United Kingdom.

They are unable to distinguish between British feminists’ reasoned opposition to the erasure of women’s sex-based rights under the guise of “trans inclusion” and the bigotry of those on the American right who view trans-identified people with the same derision with which they have always viewed gay men and lesbians.

These so-called “progressives” do not see the rise of “gender ideology”, which argues that an individual’s internal sense of gender should supersede their sex in all aspects of life and under law, as a threat to themselves, and thus conclude that it is no threat to women as a collective.

Furthermore, they perceive trans rights activists, who show no regard for women’s rights and concerns in their advocacy, as true feminists simply because they are targeted by the American right as part of the culture wars.

These so-called “progressives” in America wonder why so many left-wing feminists, many of whom are lesbians, seem to have suddenly turned into right-wing bigots on this side of the Atlantic. They are unable to comprehend that we have not moved to the right, and are not targeting a marginalised minority out of hate, like right-wing homophobes, but taking a principled position in defence of women’s rights.

This apparent disconnect stems also from the fact that there is no true left in the US. Today the American left is dominated by the adherents of a performative brand of identity politics focussed on often right-coded values like personal liberty and freedom of speech. Left-wing politics in America, at least in the mainstream, is reduced to loud but inconsequential shouting about bigotry and prejudice. As there is little or no working-class mobilisation, the “left-wing” elites are left to speak of “oppression” on their own, without knowing much about it at all.

This sad state of the American “left” translates to trans-rights activists – who claim to be fighting for the most vulnerable and oppressed group among all identity groups – being celebrated as brave feminists, while real feminists concerned about women and girls’ wellbeing are condemned for their alleged prejudice.

There are, of course, many women in the US who do know what a feminist is, and reject gender ideology, not out of any bigotry but genuine concern for women’s rights, in the same way we do in the UK. Regrettably, they too are swiftly branded as bigots.

Take the infamous Wi Spa incident in Los Angeles in 2021 where women who complained about a trans-identifying male exposing his penis to women and girls in a female changing room. Most of the left-wing US media, led by the Guardian US, presented the issue as an attack on the unnamed trans-identifying man, and accused women who object to his presence in the changing room of being transphobic liars. As the controversy grew, and far-right groups like the Proud Boys got involved in the consequent protests outside the spa, the supposed alliance between “transphobic women” and bigoted, right-wing thugs became the focus of the entire story. Eventually, the man in question was revealed to be a convicted sex offender and was further charged with indecent exposure in relation to his behaviour in the spa changing room, but neither the media, nor the “left-wing” commentators and politicians offered the women they accused of being bigots and Nazis an apology.

The attitudes of this so-called progressive “left” in America towards women concerned about gender ideology are also having an impact back here in the UK. Many British progressives in media, academia and politics who eagerly follow the lead of the Americans on culture war issues are also dismissing feminist concerns over gender ideology as bigotry and trying to push us out of the national conversation over this issue. Countless feminists across the country have been silenced and shamed, have lost jobs and opportunities, and have been accused of allying themselves with the worst of the global right for the “crime” of speaking up for women.

Regardless of the abuse we face, we will continue our fight for what is right, and we will not let British feminist and left-wing spaces be captured by faux feminists, fake leftists and their performative politics imported from America.

The situation in the US, however, is much more critical.

Women and men anywhere to the left of the Republican Party who are concerned about gender ideology have nowhere to turn to. Democrats are not only refusing to listen to their concerns, but branding them as bigots and even fascists for daring to question their accepted hierarchies of oppression. The Democratic Party is in no way guaranteed a victory in the upcoming presidential election. If they don’t change course, and stop accusing people of being bigoted for raising the alarm about gender ideology, some women, and men, may decide to vote on this issue alone and plump for Trump – who has been clear about his opposition to gender ideology, albeit not on feminist grounds – in November.

If the Democrats lose the election, and it is determined that their stance on this issue has contributed to the outcome, however, they should not dare blame women critical of gender ideology. They should understand that they have no one else to blame but themselves, and that they have alienated countless potential Democratic voters by branding them as right-wing bigots for defending women’s rights. American progressives may genuinely believe they are on the “right side of history”, but if they don’t make the effort to truly “understand what a feminist is”, and believe us when we say gender ideology is a threat to women, come November, they may themselves be history.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

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ANALYZE THE FEMINISM IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Background of The Problem 1

About the feminism in pride and prejudice novel

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