The Objectification Of Women In Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen

As with every romance novel or movie, there is often a second female lead character, whose desire for the male protagonist lead them in scheming for the demise of the female character, and such a character is undoubtedly present in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, in the form of the posh and petty, Caroline Bingley. In the novel, Caroline Bingley is described to the audience, along with her married sister, Mrs Hurst, as “fine women, with an air of decided fashion” (Austen 12), wherein the word “fine” suggests “pure, perfect; of the best or very high quality” in terms of appearance and demeanour (OED). Despite this “fine” appearance, she is also proud and narcissistic, which can be attributed to both her social status and confidence to her
In the film – and as aforementioned --, Kiran is wearing a rather revealing outfit during the first wedding scene, which exposes her midriff. Whilst such attire can be interpreted as a stylistic choice—and in modern times, is by no means, controversial, Kiran in this scene is “objectified” as evident by the Indian old man following her around, seemingly interested in her. Because of the duplicity of her appearance as a mixed of British and Indian, it adds on to her “exoticism” which appeals to many men. This objectification of women in Bride and Prejudice is similar to the sentiment from the novel that women are “marriageable objects” and not separate individuals. For instance, Charlotte Lucas argues that she wants to marry Mr Collins because “marriage…was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune” (Austen 103). Hence, this shows how marriage is a pivotal part of women’s lives during Jane Austen’s time and being an old maid, as remarked by Lydia Bennet, is something that is considered as “shameful” (181). Similarly, in Bride and Prejudice, Kiran once again is objectified into a “sexual object” in the beach scene. By lounging beside a shirtless Darcy and a “covered” Lalita, Kiran seems to be posing for a photo shoot – which is emphasised by her wearing a Burberry two-piece and visor; her position appears vulnerable. In digression, this scene also parallels with a similar idea in Chapter 11 of Pride and Prejudice where Miss Bingley walks about the room to show-off her figure to Darcy (Austen 49). Whilst the scene in the film can be argued as a nod to society’s beauty standards of beauty as “fair” – when Kiran asks Darcy to put lotion on her back lest she might get dark --, it suggests that in order to get a man’s attention, a woman has to bare her body to him.