Research

| REGENCY PERIOD | 1980’s | SOCIAL STANDARDS | * As a time of recreation, men had to ask a woman to dance. It was the only time where both sexes could physically interact outside of their private property. * Modesty and discretion was mandated for both women and men. This included clothing and topics for socialization * Religion played a significant role during this period. Anglicanism was the dominant religion. * Marriage had to take place between to parties of equal social standing. To marry one of lower status was looked down upon. This was the case with Mr. Darcy’s decision to wed Elizabeth Bennet. * It was a time where males dominated literature arts. This could be reflected by the fact that men were given school education if they chose to do so. Females who wanted to write had to have a male pen name. * Females were primarily educated at home by governesses in the fields of home economics and fine arts. This included music, cooking, sewing, painting etc. Mary and Miss. Darcy are both accomplished pianists. * Mannerism played a pivotal role in determining one’s social standing. Wealth didn’t determine all of one’s status. * "Oh, certainly. No woman can be really esteemed accomplished who does not also possess a certain something in her air, in her manner of walking, in the tone of her voice, her address and expressions." (Pride and Prejudice, pg 32 chapter 8)
This illustrates how a Victorian woman was expected to be publicly presentable and polite at all times. How a woman behaved in front of a group of people was how she was judged * Manners/Etiquette was mandated and fairly strict. Females and males both had their own roles to fulfill. * One of lower social status should not greet themself to one of higher social status. Mr. Collins “foolishly” introduced himself to Mr. Darcy. * Success was determined by a man’s wealth and social network. For a woman to gain “success”, she had to marry such a man. Marriage played an important role