5.In Jane Austen’s day,
what skills must a woman possess to be seen as “accomplished?”How does Elizabeth, with her “lively
mind,” rebel against these conventions?Do any of these conventions still remain true today?
An accomplished woman of that day should most likely be able to draw, sew, paint, play the pianoforte, sing, know more than one or two languages, and dress and walk about with an 'air' of high society, etc. Many men were not fond of woman writing books or even reading books back then. It was not common for women to go to school or college and have awesome careers back in the 1700's. Women had governesses preparing them to be mothers and wives. Men of that time did not care for opininated women. Many men are still that way as of today..;). I guess they thought reading books would cause their women to get out of line and embarrass them in front of their colleagues...? Lizzy apparently loved to read books and educate herself. She at times, did conclude opinions very quickly...many quite right, but eventually jumping to conclusions did get her into trouble, such as with Darcy. Lizzy had to learn to balance her intelligence along with her emotions. She had to tame her lively mind about her certain dislikes, etc. She also did not want to be told who to marry, bec. she wanted to marry for love, of course. It is nice to be an accomplished woman even in this day...People do look up to woman who can sing, dance, play an instrument, paint, etc. But they also look up to woman who are Dr's, scientist, etc. as well. I have found to look up to woman who also do not work and choose to stay home with their children throughout school. It is a very selfless job and these stay at home mothers deserve much respect as well. It is still a man's world and will most likely always will be, but now at least women have more rights, choices, and freedom than before. But, being a woman in general, is never easy!
In order to be considered an "accomplished" woman during the Regency Era, a young woman must have acquired skills. An accomplished woman was considered to possess the following attributes: thorough knowledgeable of the arts, music, singing, dancing, sewing, and likewise be knowledgeable of modern languages. An accomplished woman was also seen as having the air and sophistication of elite society. However, Elizabeth Bennett is an unconventional individual who with her lively spirit defies all principles of the time. In one particular scene within Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth discusses the accomplishments of woman with several in her company. Elizabeth as a result is left scoffing at the group and their impossible standards: “I never saw such a woman.” Therefore, Elizabeth is very opinionated and well educated for a young woman which was unusual for her gender and her stature. In society today, the conventions of an accomplished woman are still in place. The expectations of such a woman has fallen throughout the years, but an accomplished woman is still seen as the more favorable candidate for a wife.
"The expectations of such a woman has fallen throughout the years, BUT AN ACCOMPLISHED WOMAN IS STILL SEEN AS THE MORE FAVORABLE CANDIDATE FOR A WIFE."
In Georgian England, to be considered an accomplished young lady and to be very well thought of, a young woman must be in possession of finely crafted skills. These skills that she was practically expected to be born practicing include, but are not limited to, singing, dancing, playing instruments, needlepoint, have knowledge of many languages, know much about fine art and everything delicate, and have an air of elegance about her that is almost palpable to those who walk by. Elizabeth Bennet would not be considered accomplished by many simply due to her lack of interest in these things that she calls trifling. She is well read, yes, but her independent mind is more suited to debates of intellect than simpering tea time conversation. Nowadays, women are expected to be perfect as well, although the conventions have changed somewhat. Pressure is applied heavily on women today to look and act flawless at all times, which is simply impossible. Elizabeth, even in her time, knew this and we the readers see her develop as a character not through her delicate accomplishments but through her depth of feeling and genuine witty thought.
According to Miss Bingley, a woman must have a thourough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages in order to be esteemed accomplished. A woman must also have a distintiveness about her that adds to her other attractive qualities. Elizabeth does conform to some of these social standards. However, she doesn't place so much emphasis on them. This is evident by her outspokeness. An accomplished lady would never speak out of context like Elizabeth does. It's not that Elizabeth doesn't care what people think of her. She just feels that people should accept her for who she is. She shouldn't have to pretend to be a perfect little doll when she is most certainly not. The people she has to impress, in Elizabeth's mind, are not worth her time. These social conventions are not as stressed today. Although it is nice for a woman to acquire some form of etiquette skills, it is not essential for her lifestyle.
In Austen’s time a woman needed to play an instrument, sing, draw, dance, and needed to know many languages, among other things in order to be considered accomplished. Women were also expected to be quiet, keep their thoughts to themselves, and do as they were told. When you take this into consideration, Elizabeth sort of represents everything this society did not want in a woman. In today’s time, these conventions no longer hold true. While, yes, if a woman were to do these things, they would be considered accomplished, these are not the only things that a woman can do and still be considered accomplished. In today’s time, a person simply needs to do something notable and noticeable with their lives in order to be considered accomplished.
In Jane Austen’s day to be accomplished a woman had to be able to sing, play piano, embroider, draw, and more. She also had to be docile and seen but not heard. Elizabeth does not do all these things and will sometimes speak her mind if it is not too inappropriate. While these exact things are not expected today a woman is still expected to be able to do many things, like being able to do domestic things while working. However gradually traditional male and female roles are changing.
In order to be known as an "accomplished" women needed to know how to play an instrument,draw, read, write, sing, play piano, know several languages, dance, and many more things. Women were also expected to keep their thoughts to themselves and not speak their mind and do as they were told. Elizabeth often speaks her mind, which ladys were not supposed to do. She also does not meet all of the qualifications of being an accomp0lished woman. Elizabeth often acts like she does not care, but she just wants people to accept her for who she really is. These requirements do not still remain today. Of course it is nice for a woman to have manners and act lady like. All of these rules are not stressed as much as they were in Austen's time
To be accomplished, a woman had to be well versed in music and foreign languages. She also had to have the right tone of voice and manner of presenting herself. Elizabeth had many of these qualities yet, with her spitfire attitude and blunt personality, she does not fit the meek, humble disposition women were to have. She has the potential of becoming the perfect accomplished woman, but she does not care enough about being accomplished to become that perfect woman. These days, some women have these skills in music and language, but these skills are not required by everyone. However, a graceful disposition and manner aboout a woman will always be in stlye.
An accomplished woman of that day should most likely be able to draw, sew, paint, play the pianoforte, sing, know more than one or two languages, and dress and walk about with an 'air' of high society, etc.
ReplyDeleteMany men were not fond of woman writing books or even reading books back then. It was not common for women to go to school or college and have awesome careers back in the 1700's. Women had governesses preparing them to be mothers and wives. Men of that time did not care for opininated women. Many men are still that way as of today..;). I guess they thought reading books would cause their women to get out of line and embarrass them in front of their colleagues...? Lizzy apparently loved to read books and educate herself. She at times, did conclude opinions very quickly...many quite right, but eventually jumping to conclusions did get her into trouble, such as with Darcy. Lizzy had to learn to balance her intelligence along with her emotions. She had to tame her lively mind about her certain dislikes, etc. She also did not want to be told who to marry, bec. she wanted to marry for love, of course.
It is nice to be an accomplished woman even in this day...People do look up to woman who can sing, dance, play an instrument, paint, etc. But they also look up to woman who are Dr's, scientist, etc. as well. I have found to look up to woman who also do not work and choose to stay home with their children throughout school. It is a very selfless job and these stay at home mothers deserve much respect as well.
It is still a man's world and will most likely always will be, but now at least women have more rights, choices, and freedom than before. But, being a woman in general, is never easy!
In order to be considered an "accomplished" woman during the Regency Era, a young woman must have acquired skills. An accomplished woman was considered to possess the following attributes: thorough knowledgeable of the arts, music, singing, dancing, sewing, and likewise be knowledgeable of modern languages. An accomplished woman was also seen as having the air and sophistication of elite society. However, Elizabeth Bennett is an unconventional individual who with her lively spirit defies all principles of the time. In one particular scene within Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth discusses the accomplishments of woman with several in her company. Elizabeth as a result is left scoffing at the group and their impossible standards: “I never saw such a woman.” Therefore, Elizabeth is very opinionated and well educated for a young woman which was unusual for her gender and her stature. In society today, the conventions of an accomplished woman are still in place. The expectations of such a woman has fallen throughout the years, but an accomplished woman is still seen as the more favorable candidate for a wife.
ReplyDelete"The expectations of such a woman has fallen throughout the years, BUT AN ACCOMPLISHED WOMAN IS STILL SEEN AS THE MORE FAVORABLE CANDIDATE FOR A WIFE."
Delete[Except on 'reality shows'...;), ha.]
In Georgian England, to be considered an accomplished young lady and to be very well thought of, a young woman must be in possession of finely crafted skills. These skills that she was practically expected to be born practicing include, but are not limited to, singing, dancing, playing instruments, needlepoint, have knowledge of many languages, know much about fine art and everything delicate, and have an air of elegance about her that is almost palpable to those who walk by. Elizabeth Bennet would not be considered accomplished by many simply due to her lack of interest in these things that she calls trifling. She is well read, yes, but her independent mind is more suited to debates of intellect than simpering tea time conversation. Nowadays, women are expected to be perfect as well, although the conventions have changed somewhat. Pressure is applied heavily on women today to look and act flawless at all times, which is simply impossible. Elizabeth, even in her time, knew this and we the readers see her develop as a character not through her delicate accomplishments but through her depth of feeling and genuine witty thought.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Miss Bingley, a woman must have a thourough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages in order to be esteemed accomplished. A woman must also have a distintiveness about her that adds to her other attractive qualities. Elizabeth does conform to some of these social standards. However, she doesn't place so much emphasis on them. This is evident by her outspokeness. An accomplished lady would never speak out of context like Elizabeth does. It's not that Elizabeth doesn't care what people think of her. She just feels that people should accept her for who she is. She shouldn't have to pretend to be a perfect little doll when she is most certainly not. The people she has to impress, in Elizabeth's mind, are not worth her time. These social conventions are not as stressed today. Although it is nice for a woman to acquire some form of etiquette skills, it is not essential for her lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIn Austen’s time a woman needed to play an instrument, sing, draw, dance, and needed to know many languages, among other things in order to be considered accomplished. Women were also expected to be quiet, keep their thoughts to themselves, and do as they were told. When you take this into consideration, Elizabeth sort of represents everything this society did not want in a woman. In today’s time, these conventions no longer hold true. While, yes, if a woman were to do these things, they would be considered accomplished, these are not the only things that a woman can do and still be considered accomplished. In today’s time, a person simply needs to do something notable and noticeable with their lives in order to be considered accomplished.
ReplyDeleteIn Jane Austen’s day to be accomplished a woman had to be able to sing, play piano, embroider, draw, and more. She also had to be docile and seen but not heard. Elizabeth does not do all these things and will sometimes speak her mind if it is not too inappropriate. While these exact things are not expected today a woman is still expected to be able to do many things, like being able to do domestic things while working. However gradually traditional male and female roles are changing.
ReplyDeleteIn order to be known as an "accomplished" women needed to know how to play an instrument,draw, read, write, sing, play piano, know several languages, dance, and many more things. Women were also expected to keep their thoughts to themselves and not speak their mind and do as they were told. Elizabeth often speaks her mind, which ladys were not supposed to do. She also does not meet all of the qualifications of being an accomp0lished woman. Elizabeth often acts like she does not care, but she just wants people to accept her for who she really is. These requirements do not still remain today. Of course it is nice for a woman to have manners and act lady like. All of these rules are not stressed as much as they were in Austen's time
ReplyDeleteTo be accomplished, a woman had to be well versed in music and foreign languages. She also had to have the right tone of voice and manner of presenting herself. Elizabeth had many of these qualities yet, with her spitfire attitude and blunt personality, she does not fit the meek, humble disposition women were to have. She has the potential of becoming the perfect accomplished woman, but she does not care enough about being accomplished to become that perfect woman. These days, some women have these skills in music and language, but these skills are not required by everyone. However, a graceful disposition and manner aboout a woman will always be in stlye.
ReplyDelete