feminism in pride and prejudice

“Central to the diverse aims and methods of feminist criticism is its focus on patriarchy, the rule of society and culture by men” (Bressler 167). The above mentioned quote from Charles Bressler's textbook, Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, highlights one fundamental aspect of feminist criticism: patriarchy. Patriarchy can be seen in Jane Austen’s novel in the form of the existing system of entailment. Entailment in Pride and Prejudice, the restriction of future ownership of real estate to particular descendants, is limited solely to male heirs. As Mr. Bennet has no male children, his estate will be entailed to Mr. Collins as opposed to his own daughters. Mrs. Bennet remarks in regard to the entailment to Mr. Collins: “Oh! My dear,” cries his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children...” (Austen 45). Entailment leaves no chance for the eldest daughter in the Bennet family to enjoy the success Mr. Bennet has attained, simply due to Jane Bennet’s status as a woman in her society. “Are not...women and men equal in all respects? Feminist studies, feminist theorists, and feminist critics all answer in one accord: No!” (Bressler 167). This question and vehement reply from Bressler’s text emphasizes a gender difference between men and women; one example of this can easily be seen in Pride and Prejudice through the manner of entailments in the novel. With the imposition of entailment in Austen's novel comes a pressure for women to marry and search for a husband to attain a better life. Thus is the case with Charlotte Lucas who "accepted [Mr. Collins] solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained” (91 Austen). In writing that Charlotte Lucas married simply for