G.V.V SISTERS IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

G.V.V SISTERS IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Jane Austen's view on sisters is one of great importance especially in the setting of pride and prejudice as this novel is focused  around a family of all girls. What is interesting about the way she portrays the role of sisters for me is how there is a certain hierarchy, in which they are categorised by there age, and situation in life. This structure runs throughout society but what is unusual about this is that it follows the girls into the home. What also strikes me as very interesting; is that the actions of sisters affect the whole family. This says a lot about the importance of image and behaviour at the time. Jane Austen is clearly trying to emphasise this by showing us the struggles that the sisters face once their youngest sister acts badly, and like a domino effect it immediately holds consequence for her sisters.
Looking at the system of hierarchy in society and how the sisters must abide by societal  rules, we see that Jane as the eldest gets to sit at the top of the table, enters houses before and traditionally should get married before her sisters. only then can her younger sisters  come out in society although the Bennett's don't abide by this rule and very few others.

But.... the tables turn when Lydia goes and gets married, suddenly she gets to enter the house before her older sisters. I believe that Austen is telling us here that rules can be broken in society but you must live with the consequences whether they be good or bad. Austen allows the portrays scenes that demonstrate the strong bond between sisters. This says a lot about the value that Austen puts on family. 
 But  is Austen also saying that you are responsible for your siblings? Do Lizzy and Jane and all the other sisters deserve to be affected by Lydia's bad decisions? Surely not, and perhaps that is why Austen gives Lizzy and Jane their happy ending with men that in societies eyes are too good for them. I believe that without doubt Austen is saying here that the girls deserve to be their own independent women, and that their family's actions shouldn't have any affect on them.