Social Conflict
“A single man of large fortune; four or thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”
(Austen 4) In the book of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen a rich man named Mr.
Bingley moves into Netherfield estate next to the Bennets. Class in both Pride and
Prejudice and 21st century America plays a huge social role because everyone wants to be
as rich as possible. Unfortunately Mr. Bennet does not have any sons therefore when he
passes away all his fortune would go to his brother and the only way the Bennets daughters
will have a better life is to find a husband that would support them and is an a higher class.
The book portrays many tensions and confusion about marriage, family pressure, and lack
of happiness. Mrs. Bennet is an average, unrestrained mother who was obsessed with
marrying her daughters off to a better, richer family than they were.
A girl getting married is always a key life event that everyone in the family looks forward
too as she gets older. However, Mrs. Bennet finds that there are five girls that need to get
married in a family, the challenge becomes a little more difficult. Marriage is a critical
component to a girl’s life because it symbolizes her freedom and growth away from her
family. Not only is marriage is a significant factor, but for a girl, marrying rich is even
more critical. She technically has to find someone who is able to support a family while
