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Mr Bennet Satire

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On first impressions of his intended, the satirical Mr Bennet was ‘captivated by youth and beauty and the appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give’ (Austen, 1984) however shortly after a marriage constructed upon lust and desire, Mr Bennet’s ‘respect esteem and confidence’ in his wife soon vanished forever. Consequently, Mrs Bennet was demoted by her husband to the ranks of entertainment and a source of amusement for her ‘ignorance and folly’ and want of ‘decorum and propriety’ (Austen, 1984) Moreover with the loss of respect for his wife and the realisation that ‘a pretty face is but sorry compensation for the absence of common sense; and that youth and the appearance of good nature, with the want of other good qualities …show more content…

Mr Bennet, made a poignant request to his daughter Elizabeth not to marry without love or respect. ‘I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you …show more content…

Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage’ let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life. (Austen, p. 385) Arguably, in contrast to his usual sardonic tone, Austen’s eloquent choice of choice of syntax arrangement delivered a sincere disclosure from Mr Bennet; the realisation and admission of his unequal marriage. Alternatively Austen may be suggesting how a ‘lively’ atypical nineteenth century woman like Elizabeth, ‘may take liberties with her husband’ (Tuite, p. 121) In the context of an unequal marriage, Austen explores parental obligation and responsibility as a concern. Elizabeth Bennet has recognised ‘the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable marriage’ Mr Bennet fails to exert his ‘talents which rightly used might have preserved the respectability of his daughters’ or enlarged ‘the mind of his wife’ (Austen, 1984) Arguably,

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