What kind of Lady is Mrs Bennet?
Pride and Prejudice is a notable literary work by Jane Austen. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Pride and Prejudice.
Answer
What kind of lady is Mrs Bennet? What is her ambition for her daughters?
Mrs. Bennet is a significant character in Jane Austen’s (1775-1817) “Pride and Prejudice” (1913). Her primary concern is to see all her five daughters married. She believes that marriage is the only path to security and social respectability. This goal drives much of her behaviour throughout the novel. Below are points that illustrate Mrs. Bennet’s character and her ambitions for her daughters,
Narrow View of Marriage: Mrs. Bennet’s main ambition is to see her daughters married well. Her view on marriage is clear from the very beginning of the novel. She is delighted when she hears that Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor, has moved into the neighborhood. She immediately sets her sights on him as a potential husband for one of her daughters. Austen says about her,
The business of her life was to get her daughters married;
Loving but Foolish Mother: Despite her flaws, Mrs. Bennet genuinely loves her daughters. She wants the best for them. Her foolishness and lack of judgment arise from her desire to see them well-settled and happy. She talks about her life’s difficulties,
Nobody can tell what I suffer!
Her reaction to Lydia’s elopement with Wickham shows her concern for her daughters’ reputations. Here, her response is more focused on the social consequences rather than the moral importance.
Focus on Wealth and Status: Mrs. Bennet’s ambitions are not solely about marriage but also about securing wealth and improving social status. She is very conscious of the economic benefits of marrying well. She is often impressed by wealth and status. This is evident in her admiration for Mr. Bingley’s wealth. When she learns about his grand estate, she remarks,
A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!
This fascination with wealth highlights her belief that a good marriage is the key to social and financial success.
In conclusion, Mrs. Bennet is an ambitious character whose main concern is to see her daughters married well. Her narrow view of marriage drives much of the plot and humor in “Pride and Prejudice.”