Abstract：Jane Austen is a famous British woman writer in the 19th century. She is regarded as a writer who can “be on an equal footing with Shakespeare”. Her works are mainly based on the theme of love and marriage. The 19th-century feminine features were displayed with careful observation and vivid humor. Pride and Prejudice has been translated into many languages ​​and published in different countries. In the novel the author presented readers with social life and human experience of British townships from the end of the eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century. Pride and Prejudice demonstrates its different attitude towards women’s social status with its unique charm and vivid language. No matter how the times develop, women’s social status has always been a topic widely discussed in society. While reviewing the author’s female consciousness in Pride and Prejudice, the critics have also conducted a detailed analysis of the social status of women in the novel. This thesis mainly analyzes the novel Pride and Prejudice, by analyzing the social status of women at that time from the perspectives of economy, politics and culture, pointing out the predicament of women in economic and social status, and further revealing influence and significance brought from the novel.

Keywords: English literature   Jane Austen  Pride and Prejudice  social status  female consciousness

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Jane Austen-1

1.2 Introduction to Pride and Prejudice-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two Women’s Social Status in Pride and Prejudice-4

2.1 Culturally Lack of Educational Opportunities-4

2.2 Politically Lack of Equal Rights with Men-4

2.3 Economically Depending on Men and Families-5

Chapter Three Author's Female Consciousness-10

3.1 Equal Rights to Get Education as Men-10

3.2 Access to Gain Certain Social Status-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14