ELIZABETH J.

DICKHUT
An Intelligent Female? No Way!
(British Literature, Fall 2012)
Her [Mrs. Bennets] mind was less difficult to developthe business of her life was to
get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news (Austen 4). The author of Pride and
Prejudice, Jane Austen, does an excellent job of framing different paintings of society through
individual characters. The traditional view of the female in 19th century England was the
uncomplicated life of Mrs. Bennet-worried about marriage and gossip. Elizabeth Bennet,
however, strives to exist outside the original sphere. In Matthew Lewiss The Monk the main
protagonist, Matilda, also faces the similar issue of being an intelligent female trying to control
her own destiny. Through individual, free choices, Elizabeth Bennet and Matilda are both
confronted by complicated moral dilemmas which arise from society. Their informed decisions
lead them to different paths which prove that women of the early 19th century can impact their
fate marginally.
Austen and Lewis both present the original 19th century idea of femininity, which outlines
a lack of liberty in an oppressive, male dominated society. The women of society, and therefore
the characters in literature, are expected to act a certain manner as well as think in a certain way.
There is no room for individuality or freedom. Austen shows this original idea through the
character of Charlotte Lucas. After struggling to fit in because of her spinsterhood, Charlotte
takes the first offer. I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home;
and considering Mr. Collinss characterI am convinced that my chance of happiness with him
is as fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state (Austen 85). Marriage is what
is expected from society, so Charlotte Lucas acquiesces. The importance of her character,

however, does not end there. Charlotte is essentially a foil of Elizabeth; had Elizabeth given in
to the demands of society, she would have chosen Mr. Collins and been forced down the path of
a comfortable home. Rather, Elizabeth decides to choose for herself and go a different route.
This original idea of females and the marriage path is also apparent in The Monk. The
aunt of Antonia, Leonella, is constantly worrying about men and marriage, since she is of a
similar status to Charlotte Lucas: old maid. In fact, this frivolity is shown when Leonella ditches
her impoverished and ill sister in order to get a small fortune, therefore making her more eligible
in the marriage realm. An honest Youth of Cordova, Journeyman to an Apothecary, found that
her fortune would be sufficient to set him upIn consequence of this reflection He avowed
himself her Admirer. Leonella was not inflexible. The ardour of his sighs melted her heart, and
She soon consented to make him the happiest of Mankind (Lewis 246). This is what Leonella
has been taught by societymarriage comes first. It is her duty as a female to be married, and
she is a failure if this goal is not achieved. To go down any other path would be unacceptable.
Marriage is the original, standard, and accepted perception of women and their role in society.
Their path takes them straight to the altar. It is important for both Austen and Lewis to establish
this in order to present a new and more radical idea of freedom and individuality.
The standard that both books describe doesnt calculate female intelligence into the
equation. Elizabeth and Matilda are both unique in this aspect, compared to the rest of the female
characters. Extraordinary intelligence is how a female in the Romantic Era can escape the
original society and become an individual. Instead of following the given path described by
society, Matilda and Elizabeth think for themselves, which explains their radical actions. This
thought process allows them to make choices that other females wouldnt and therefore they can
affect their own fate. Elizabeth is quite explicit about this in her rejection of Mr. Collins: Can I

speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a
rational creature speaking the truth from her heart (Austen 74-75). Mr. Collins cannot
understand Elizabeth, since she is not responding how society requires. Instead, she is using her
intelligence and rationality to be in control of her future. Critic Susan Morgan, in the critical
article Intelligence in Pride and Prejudice writes that We watch Elizabeth as she moves from
a belief in her own logic to a more fluid interpretation of knowing and of intelligence in terms of
the backgrounds, contexts, and particulars which inform truth. And we learn to acknowledge that
the pressing importance of such a movement restsin our hopes for being free (54).
Essentially, Elizabeth is given all the elements and tools needed to make an informed decision.
As she slowly learns to apply these, she finds that intelligence leads to freedom and individuality.
Matilda also faces a similar dilemma to Elizabeth. Young and wealthy, I was sought in
marriage by the noblest of Youths of Madrid; But no one succeeded in gaining my affections. I
had been brought up under the care of an Uncle, possessed of the most solid judgment and
extensive erudition. He took pleasure in communicating to me some portion of his knowledge
(Lewis 59). The reason given for Matilda not choosing marriage is the fact that her uncle
educated her. Her intelligence leaves her dissatisfied with the original societal path of marriage.
Therefore Matilda takes charge of her own fate. Due to their intelligence, Matilda and Elizabeth
can make informed decisions. These choices, however, are different than the societal path of
marriage, and instead lead to individuality and control of ones destiny.
Both Elizabeth and Matilda appear to be making similar choices leading to the path of
individuality, but due to differences in morality, their decisions lead them down quite different
paths. Both Elizabeth and Matilda are social anomalies, due to their intelligence and rejection of
marriage. The moral dilemma, however, arises by how they each choose to deal with the life

sentence of being an outcast. Here, the morality of Elizabeth and Matilda lead them to make
different decisions which then drives them down quite opposite paths. Elizabeth, in the aftermath
of Mr. Collinss proposal and the shocking revelation that Charlotte Lucas was to be Mrs. Collins
showed her good principles by trying to reconcile with her friend and show support. But
Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort for it, was able to assure her
with tolerable firmness that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that
she wished her all imaginable happiness (Austen 85). Elizabeth is being a good person, striving
to be very straightforward and honest, rather than have ulterior motives.
Matilda is the master of hidden meaning and motive. She shows her intelligence, shaky
morals, and deviousness while manipulating Ambrosio. Fear not the little jealousy, which taints
the generality of Women: My soul disdains so despicable a passionYou now despair of
possessing your Mistress; But I come to revive your hopes, and point out the road to success
(Lewis 265-266). She knows what Ambrosio wants, which is Antonia. Therefore, Matilda knows
how to manipulate Ambrosio, and does so quite shamelessly. Critic Peter Brooks, in Virtue and
Terror: The Monk writes how Matildas lack of morals affects the entire novel. The problem of
the Sacred in The Monk comes to crisis in its ethical relation, in the problem of guilt and its
definition. The question is articulated in acute terms when the Monks temptress, Matilda,
proposes to call upon diabolical aid in the seduction of Antonia, so ardently desired by
Ambrosio (250). Since Matilda has no morals and essentially is a she-demon, she feels no guilt
in planning the ruination of Antonia in order to control and manipulate Ambrosio. The moral
differences between Elizabeth and Matilda create marked differences in their decisions, which
then lead them to different paths. These paths prove that women in the 19th century could impact
their fate, for better or for worse.

The Romantic theme of individuality is the main point of the novels by Austen and
Lewis; their female protagonists are examples of why this ideal is important and impactful in the
lives of the characters. This is the new ideal that the writers presentthat through their
extraordinary intelligence, Elizabeth and Matilda both made informed decisions that impacted
their lives greatly. And even though they are both very similar, their different choices define
them and make them quite individual. Elizabeth shows through a conversation with her father
that the choices she made were in fact hers. Elizabeth, by repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy
was really the object of her choice, by explaining the gradual change which her estimation of
him had undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection was not the work of a day,
but had stood the test of many months suspense, and enumerating with energy all his good
qualities, she did conquer her fathers incredulity, and reconcile him to the match (Austen 246).
Elizabeth chooses Mr. Darcy; she chooses her fate with him. Elizabeth lives out the Romantic
ideal of individuality and freedom.
Matilda also chooses her fate. At the end of The Monk, she describes to Ambrosio her
choice and why she feels empowered. Her main argument is living in the now and worrying
about the future later. Let me then exult in my exchange. I have sold distant and uncertain
happiness for present and secure (Lewis 427). Matilda also goes on to advise Ambrosio to
take the same path that she chose, the apparent path of freedom and liberty. I go impatient to
exercise my newly-gained dominion. I pant to be at libertyBe advised by me; Purchase-by one
moments courage the bliss of years; Enjoy the present, and forget that a future lags behind
(Lewis 428). Due to her differing morals and direction in life, Matildas path of freedom does not
end in marriage, like Elizabeths, but rather a contract with the devil. It could be debated whether
that is true freedom, but it is the path chosen by Matilda, the path where believes she is the most

at liberty. Her path of freedom is her individual choice. This new idea of individuality is
presented and emphasized by the Romantic novelists. It is shown through the lives of Elizabeth
and Matilda because, while being similar, they still make different decisions that define who they
are and change their paths.
It is apparent that Elizabeth and Matilda both strive for individuality. But, in the end, do
they actually achieve it? Both female protagonists are written as individual and intelligent
characters, but each of their chosen paths ends with a socially acceptable conclusion. Both are
essentially married off. Elizabeths self-chosen path resolves in marriage to Mr. Darcy. The
critic Susan Morgan quotes Alistair Duckworth when he says that Pride and Prejudice
achieves an ideal relation between the individual and society (54). Is it possible that Austen
felt like she pushed the envelope too far and wanted to make the story believable to the audience
at the time? Mrs. Bennet is the representation of the 19th century people, and she is startled
when Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins and says that Lizzy shall be brought to reason. I will speak to
her about it myself directly. She is a very headstrong foolish girl, and does not know her own
interest (Austen 75). Elizabeths marriage resolves the book in many different scenarios, but
how much individuality did Austen sacrifice in Elizabeth to satisfy the critics?
Matilda, in a sense, is also married in the end of The Monk. Taken in the rational way,
marriage is a contract. Matilda signs a contract with the devil which ends up saving her from the
persecution of society. This offer, which she then extends to Ambrosio, is risky and filled with
danger. Matilda also scorns Ambrosio for originally not taking the offer because It is not virtue,
which makes you reject my offer: You would accept it, but you dare not. Tis not the crime which
holds your hand, but the punishment; Tis not respect for God which restrains you, but the terror
of his vengeance! (Lewis 269). Matilda has transcended the bonds of society and she exists in a

place where punishment and other socially accepted norms like God do not exist. When she tries
to convince Ambrosio to sign the same contract, she is essentially telling him to forget society
and become one with the devil, like a man would traditionally leave his family and become one
with his wife. In a twisted way, The Monk could also be interpreted as ending in marriage.
Matilda and Elizabeth both strove for individuality and both were mostly successful. Did they
legitimately choose their fates, or were they still impacted by society?
Austen and Lewis present the possibility that the Romantic value of individuality can be
achieved through their main female protagonists. Because they are extraordinarily intelligent,
they are able to make informed decisions that affect their fates. Their moral differences, however,
lead them down quite different paths. And in the end, do they really choose their fates or are they
still affected by society? The important result is that Austen and Lewis suggest that individuality
is possible, even in a very brainwashed, similar society that holds tights to traditional values.
Elizabeth Bennet and Matilda break free from the Mrs. Bennet stereotypeconcerned only with
gossip and marriage. Instead, they bring to light a new idea of an intelligent female that is able to
make decisions in order to impact her own fate.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane, and Donald J. Gray. Pride and Prejudice: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds,
Reviews and Essays in Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton, 2001. Print.
Brooks, Peter. "Virtue and Terror: The Monk." JSTOR. JSTOR, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/2872659>.
Lewis, M. G., Howard Anderson, and Emma McEvoy. The Monk. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998.
Print.
Morgan, Susan. "Intelligence in "Pride and Prejudice"" JSTOR. JSTOR, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/436104>.