P+P #11

“To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it?” (24). In Austen’s time period, women were not supposed to go against the norms of society. Walking by herself through fields and dirt, Elizabeth certainly displays her independence--she goes all this way just to see that her sister is alright. Upon arriving at Netherfield, Elizabeth receives an instant reputation by the women at the house--one that continues throughout the novel. The men’s viewpoint is the exact opposite, however. They regard her actions with admiration for the affection she has towards her sister, and think that Elizabeth’s eyes “were brightened by the exercise.” Austen considers many similar gender differences for the duration of her whole novel.