Abstract

In 19th century, the English Literature was in flourishing time. At this time, the most outstanding female representatives are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. Through their each representative works Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre, the female characters in marriage and marital status are described deeply. At the same time, the pursuit of ideal marriage of female characters in these two works are reflected the different marriage views of two writers.

Through the social background at that time and the profound description of writers, these two works covered the living standards and expectant marriages of female and in 19th century. The text will explore the differences between Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë on basis of heroines’ character and their marriages in order to summary the two writers’ views on marriage. Also, the text will analyze the inheritance of British women’s pursuit of marriage in the 19th century on the basis of the two writers’ views on marriage.

Keywords: Pride and Prejudice; Jane Eyre; Jane Austen; Charlotte Brontë; marriage; women

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre 1

1.2 Social status of British women in the first half of nineteenth Century.2

2. Literature Review3

2.1 Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë ’s working style.4

2.2 Similarities between Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë .5

3. Comparison of the Two Works 5

3.1 Marriages in Pride and Prejudice and the character of heroine6

3.2 Marriages in Jane Eyre and the character of heroine7

3.3 Marriage values and thoughts in the two works.8

3.3.1 The true meaning of marriage in Pride and Prejudice8

3.3.2 The gender equality of marriage in Jane Eyre.11

4. The reflection of the two works in inheritance and development of women’s pursuit for marriage.11

4.1 Similarities between inheritance of women’s pursuit for marriage of two works12

4.2 Differences between development of women’s pursuit for marriage of two works12

5. Conclusion.13

6. References15