| The focus of this study is women's rights in Jane Austen's novels. Despite the increasing awareness of individuality and human rights, psychological (and often physical) abuse exists. After Marilyn Butler's seminal study Jane Austen and the War of Ideas, Austen is better understood within the contexts of her time. Human relationships are much more complicated as mothers try to "sell-off" their daughters to the highest bidder. These women attempt to secure their own financial future regardless of their children's wishes or patriarchal norms. Moreover, widows who once exercised power through their husbands see this power relinquished, as society tries to identify their social status. Austen criticizes independent widows who try to obtain power by using their sexuality and manipulative language. The need for control spreads to all females no matter their social standing. This develops a competitive nature amongst them that limits the growth of society. This lack of unity allows men to abuse women themselves. Finally, with the advent of film studies, it is important to look at Austen novels translated into this media. Directors interpret abuse in various degrees, but most acknowledge its presence.;Keywords. Women; power; widows; Susan, Prejudice, Mansfield, Emma, Northanger, film, flirt. |
