"Pride and Prejudice" was written by Jane Austen in 1813. The novel, set in Georgian England, is centered around the lives of the Bennet women as well as various friends and loved ones in their quests to be wed. In particular Austen follows the lives of our primary protagonists Elizabeth and Darcy as their romance progresses. Choosing to use their relationship as well as their relationships with those around them, Austen highlights the issues created by the patriarchal society. Despite the patriarchal society, Austen is able to use the novel to showcase the changing world and the rise of feminism. Some people may argue that Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" was written entirely prior to the feminist movement. The most basic misconception made by supporters of this opinion is that Austen chose to set the novel in such a male dominated society, in which women are expected to be unintelligent, are unequal, and entirely dependent on the males in their lives (Wang 1) makes this novel anti-feminist. Another fact presented by opposing critics is that the novel is not feminist because the goal of all the women in the novel is to get married. To support this argument they may present the quote of Mrs. Bennet from chapter one of the novel, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife"" (Austen 1) These arguments, which are the opposition's main points, are also the best examples of early feminism. Although some may argue the novel being set in the 19th century shows that it is prior to the feminist movement; however, it is what the female characters do to overcome oppression in this society that makes this novel such a good example of early feminism. During the 19th century the world in Europe was changing due to the war started between England and France during the French revolution. This changing world marked new ways women could empower themselves, for instance women were now given opportunities to be educated.
