Austen's General Vision and Viewpoint on Men
It is clear from the story of Pride & Prejudice that in the society portrayed men hold the power. They own almost all property, have right to almost all inheritance and are the forefront of a family's social status. From the very first line we see that it is a man in charge of his estate, with his own fortune that sets out in search of a partner. And from the first chapter we see the social position of the Bennet family rests on Mr Bennet's shoulders as it is his duty to introduce them to the new gentlemen in town. Later still we see the effects this can have on a family with no heir when the Bennet sisters learn that they will be left with nothing upon Mr.Collin’s entailment of their home at Longbourn.
This position of men is an advantage to them. The results of which give them choice and opportunity. They are not tied to male relatives for financial support as the women of this world are and this freedom grants them the ability to pursue their own way of life and make for themselves a living and a family.
But this freedom is not without a high level of responsibility. Because of a man’s position in the family, their family's welfare is dependent on their success and the upholding of their social status. They are required to act in a manner that progresses their social position and we see that failure to do so ruins their reputation. This is most evident when we first meet Bingley and Darcy. Bingley is a social success, his conduct and manner causes him to be welcomed and esteemed among the women and families of Hertfordshire. We see that being spoken well of is of huge advantage and that being liked in society is of major importance.
Darcy’s provoked response is the opposite, and his punishment is to be deemed an undesirable partner.
Ultimately a man in this society, with all his power and inheritance needs an heir. He also cannot reach his completed social status as a bachelor and is therefore in need of a mistress. What we see arise from this is a gentlemanly behaviour expected of all men to make themselves a desirable partner. While it could be argued that women are the ones who must become desirable the choice of marriage is still ultimately the woman’s and so this chivalrous and well mannered behaviour can be seen across the scope of successful men.
The other side of men in the Pride and Prejudice can be seen in crafty men like Wickham, who uses his charm and reasonable wealth and status as a means of trickery and seduction. Mr.Collins also assumes that his financial position and regard with the Lady Catherine de Bourge gives him the right to a woman as a wife. Both instances show men claiming and using women as property and represent a significant part of Austen’s view of men. They display a distrust in the gender as a whole.
Ultimately Austen’s view of men is one of duty, and one that reflects words of Ben Parker, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Men are displayed and the governors of almost all wealth and property, with opportunity and limited freedom. Limited in that social code still requires many things of them and failing to provide such things leads to the destruction of their position. This, in successful cases, leads to characteristic well mannered behaviour and a courteous regard of all women, without whom a man is still nothing.
