Pride And Prejudice Parenting Analysis

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Recommended: Parental attitudes in pride and prejudice

In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, parenting techniques are manipulated by humanity's expectations. Mrs. Bennet, the mother of the five girls, focused solely on wealth, status, and appearance. Mr. Bennet was their father who was able to look past appearances and valued an individual's character. Mr. Bennet appeared to have a quiet, deep adoration for his daughters, while Mrs. Bennet’s love was exaggerated and conditional.
Mr. Bennet’s first mistake started early in his life. He chose to marry a woman based on her looks rather than her intelligence. The narrator told us that Mr. Bennet did not resort to alcohol to comfort him because of this mistake:
But Mr. Bennet was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own imprudence had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice (228).

Instead, he sought comfort by torturing his wife with sarcastic and witty responses. He was able to get a kick out of poking fun at his ridiculous spouse. Mr. Bennet didn’t play a prominent role with his daughters as they grew up. He preferred to be alone in his library instead of devoting time to his daughters. He was too passive. When the girls did not live up to his expectations, he further distanced himself from them. One of his biggest mistakes was allowing Lydia to go with Mrs. Forester to Brighton. Elizabeth went to him privately and begged him not to allow her to leave. She expressed her concern over Lydia’s improper behavior and her recklessness. Mr. Bennet thought that because Lydia was so poor, she wouldn’t be sought after by anyone. He allowed her to go to Brighton so he wouldn’t have to hear her whining. Mr. Bennet said, “…We sha...

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... they were able to marry off three out of their five daughters. However, only two of these marriages were based on love and adoration. Jane and Elizabeth both found men that treasured and respected them. They lived comfortable lives financially and were very happy with their lives. Lydia’s marriage with Wickham was not as strong as that of Jane and Elizabeth. They lived uncomfortably because they were not able to support their extravagant spending habits. Eventually their love died for each other. “His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; her’s lasted a little longer” (366). Mr. Wickham started to resent Lydia and ultimately she began to feel the same towards him. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were able to raise two daughters who were sensible and well respected in social atmospheres. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet only wanted what was best for their daughters.

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