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Jane Austen's novels are known for several important
themes, most notably love and the "battle of the sexes", as well as social commentary on the English class system. She also
writes about morality and although most of her characters live happily ever after, her villains are always paid their due.
Love and the laws of attraction are themes examined time and again by Austen in several of
her novels. Her heroines are often feisty and reluctant to marry. In "Pride and Prejudice", protagonist Lizzie Bennet is at
first repelled by the haughty attitude of the rich Mr. Darcy. Later in the novel, however, realizing that he is not as bad
as he seems, Lizzie and Darcy fall in love.
Austen is also skilled in social commentary.
Not only does she comment on the pitfalls of love and marriage, but also on the difficulties faced by women of her era. It
was basically unthinkable for a woman of an elevated social standing to enter the workforce, so women were expected to marry,
or else end up as old maids and therefore financial burdens on their parents and siblings. Many women, then, married not out
of love but of convenience.
Austen experienced this sad phenomenon in her own life to some
degree. She once accepted a marriage proposal from a man she did not really love, in order to assuage her family's financial
woes (she later changed her mind and the wedding never happened).
Austen's books also poke
fun at the English system of class. Reflecting her own life, Austen's heroines are usually of noble descent but not particularly
well off, such as the Bennet family of "Pride and Prejudice", whose matriarch is constantly scheming to marry her daughters
off to the richest man available.
In Austen's day, matches were carefully weighed not by
the supposed lovers, but by their parents. In order to marry, both parties must have been roughly equal in social standing
and degree of wealth. This theme was also taken from Austen's life. As a young woman, Austen fell in love with Tom Lefroy.
The two wanted to marry, but were prevented from doing so by his parents, who did not find Jane suitable for their son. They
likely never saw each other again.
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