Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The 19th-century novel frequently explored the limitations imposed upon women by rigid social structures. Characters like Elizabeth Bennet, Maggie Tulliver, and Tess Durbeyfield, products of their respective societal milieus, faced constraints related to class, gender, and economic circumstances. These constraints dictated acceptable behaviour, limited opportunities, and often determined life trajectories. However, to label them merely as passive victims would be a simplification. The question of whether they passively accept life or exercise choice is central to understanding their complexities and the authors’ critiques of Victorian and Edwardian society. This essay will examine each character’s responses to societal pressures, arguing that while significantly constrained, they each demonstrate varying degrees of agency and make deliberate, if often difficult, choices.
Elizabeth Bennet: Navigating Societal Expectations with Wit and Independence
Elizabeth Bennet, in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813), operates within the highly structured world of the English landed gentry. Her primary societal constraint is the economic necessity of marriage. However, Elizabeth distinguishes herself by refusing to marry for financial security alone. Her initial rejection of Mr. Collins, despite her mother’s insistence, demonstrates a clear exercise of choice, prioritizing personal happiness and intellectual compatibility over societal expectations.
- Her refusal of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal, based on her prejudiced assessment of his character and his interference in Jane’s relationship with Bingley, is another significant act of agency.
- While ultimately marrying Darcy, she does so on her own terms, after reassessing her own biases and recognizing his genuine worth. This isn’t passive acceptance but a conscious decision made after critical evaluation.
Elizabeth’s wit and independent spirit allow her to subtly challenge societal norms, but she remains largely within the boundaries of acceptable behaviour for a woman of her station. Her choices, while assertive, are still framed by the need to secure a respectable marriage.
Maggie Tulliver: A Struggle Between Passion and Duty
Maggie Tulliver, in George Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss (1861), faces a different set of constraints. She is intelligent and passionate, but her family’s financial decline and the rigid moral code of her community severely limit her options. Unlike Elizabeth, Maggie’s choices often lead to social ostracism and personal suffering.
- Her attraction to Stephen Guest, a married man, and her subsequent flight with him, while driven by intense emotion, is a direct challenge to societal norms. However, this choice is not entirely free; it stems from a deep-seated longing for intellectual and emotional fulfillment that is denied to her within her existing circumstances.
- The societal condemnation she faces after returning, and her ultimate sacrifice in the flood, can be interpreted as a tragic consequence of her defiance, but also as a final act of agency – choosing to die with her brother rather than face continued social rejection.
Maggie’s story is a more poignant example of the conflict between individual desire and societal expectations. She actively seeks fulfillment, but is ultimately crushed by the weight of convention.
Tess Durbeyfield: Victimhood and Limited Agency
Tess Durbeyfield, in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), occupies the most precarious position of the three. As a working-class woman in a patriarchal society, she is particularly vulnerable to exploitation and social judgment. Her fate is largely determined by circumstances beyond her control, particularly the consequences of her rape by Alec d'Urberville.
- While she attempts to forge a new life with Angel Clare, her past haunts her, and his eventual rejection leaves her with few options.
- Her return to Alec, and her subsequent murder of him, are desperate acts born of extreme desperation rather than deliberate choices. These actions are arguably a response to systemic oppression rather than a demonstration of free will.
Although Tess makes decisions, her agency is severely limited by her social position and the consequences of the injustices she suffers. Her story is a stark portrayal of the powerlessness of women in a society that offers them little protection or opportunity.
Comparative Analysis
| Character | Societal Constraints | Degree of Agency | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennet | Economic necessity of marriage, social class | High – actively challenges expectations, makes informed choices | Successful marriage based on love and respect |
| Maggie Tulliver | Family financial decline, rigid moral code, limited opportunities | Moderate – seeks fulfillment but faces severe consequences | Tragic death, societal ostracism |
| Tess Durbeyfield | Class, gender, exploitation, patriarchal society | Low – largely a victim of circumstance, limited options | Execution after committing murder |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Elizabeth Bennet, Maggie Tulliver, and Tess Durbeyfield were all strongly constrained by the societies they inhabited, they were not simply passive recipients of fate. Elizabeth skillfully navigated societal expectations, exercising considerable agency within the confines of her world. Maggie, though ultimately tragic, actively sought fulfillment and challenged conventions. Tess, despite facing the most severe limitations, made choices, albeit desperate ones, in response to her circumstances. Their stories collectively demonstrate the complex interplay between individual will and societal forces, and offer a powerful critique of the limitations imposed upon women in 19th-century England. Their struggles continue to resonate today, reminding us of the ongoing need to challenge social injustices and empower individuals to exercise their agency.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.