The Hierarchy of Austen's Bennet Girls
Is There a Clear Structure of Power in the Bennet Family?
Oct 19, 2009
In Regency England the hierarchy of children was rigid and steadfast. The first born son of a financially secure family would inherit the estate upon their father’s death. Any other male children would be forced into some sort of vocation or, through familial connections, hope to marry into wealth. The female children would be dependant upon the estate until an advantageous marriage could be secured for the young ladies. If a match was not made, the ladies could be thrown out of the house at their brother’s whim.
Any male Bennet child in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice would have topped the hierarchy at Longbourn. However, all of the Bennet sons passed away as infants, leaving the surviving Bennet children, five girls, to create their own sort of hierarchy.
Jane and Elizabeth – Life at the Top
Jane and Elizabeth are located at the top of the family hierarchy. As the eldest two Bennet daughters they are given the most responsibility. In combination with their possession of sense, a characteristic that seemed to decrease as the younger girls followed, they are the confidant of their father (Elizabeth) and caretaker of their mother (Jane).
Society demands that, as the eldest, these two should be married and settled before their younger sisters. Once it appears that Jane will soon be engaged to Mr. Bingley, the activities of the entire family appear to be in pursuit of that goal. Indeed, considering that engagement only days away when Mr. Collin’s visits Longbourn intending to select a wife from among the Bennet daughters, Mrs. Bennet attempts to secure Elizabeth’s marriage before any of the younger daughters by immediately offering her as a potential bride.
Confusion in Bennet hierarchy is clear. Jane and Elizabeth are quite aware of it. During her time at Rosings, Elizabeth does her best to assuage Lady Catherine’s concern about the young sisters being “out” before the eldest are married. She jests the comment off, indicating that it would be unfair to her younger sisters to be deprived of amusement, solely because the elder sisters are unwed.
Both Mister and Mrs. Bennet seem conscious of Jane and Elizabeth’s place in the hierarchy, but that consciousness seems to be breakdown with regards to their three younger daughters.
Mary-Stuck in the Middle
Though Mary is the next eldest in age, Mary’s behavior seems to relegate her to a lower position in the hierarchy than she is entitled to. At eighteen, her debut and search for a suitor should be on her mind and the minds of her parents. However, as the only extremely serious Bennet daughter and with a lackluster possession of common sense, Mary seems to leave her parents and elder sisters bewildered and unaware of how to handle her.
Mary Bennet is often ignored, ostracized from conversations and she is typically the last to know any of the family gossip. Despite the wild and inappropriate behavior of her younger sisters at the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Bennet chooses her to criticize her instead, condescendingly ending her somber piano piece, “that will do extremely well child. You have delighted us long enough.”
Kitty and Lydia-Complete Disregard
The youngest girls, Kitty and Lydia, respectively, seem to have no regard for any formal hierarchy between themselves and their elder sisters. However, they do appear to be aware that it exists. When Lydia is invited to Brighton as a guest of the Fosters, there seems to be some concern to the hierarchy from Kitty, who comments, “I cannot see why Mrs. Foster should not ask me as well as Lydia, though I am her particular friend. I have just as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older.” Kitty’s comment would indicate that there is knowledge of the proper hierarchy in the Bennet’s home.
When she runs away from Brighton with Wickham, Lydia knows, but does not care that her actions have the potential to destroy the futures of her sisters. Despite this complete disregard for the hierarchy, Lydia is very much conscious of it later. When she returns to Longbourn a married woman, she admonishes Jane, “Ah! Jane, I take your place now and you must go lower, because I am a married woman.”
As the first married sister she shows regard for the position and the recognition that comes with it, despite never having respected it in the first place. This dependence on the hierarchal structure only when it suits her needs is just another example of the high level of selfishness and over-indulgence possessed by the youngest Bennet daughter.
Placing the Blame
Undoubtedly, if one of the Bennet sons had survived, the hierarchy of children at Longbourn would be structured much differently. As Pride and Prejudice concludes, it is clear that the hierarchy as it exists in the course of the novel, only exists when it is convenient and suits one of the, typically younger girls, needs at that particular moment.
Lydia is clearly the favorite of her mother, and despite his knowledge that his youngest daughter is ridiculous, Mister Bennet allows her behavior. Without consequences for her actions, she cannot respect her parents, let alone the demands of society. If fault were to be placed for this transitory respect for societal demands, it would likely fall upon Mister and Mrs. Bennet.
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York, Dover, 1995.
 |
