Throughout history, society has played an important role in forming

the value and attitudes of the population. Jane Austen's Pride and

Prejudice and Margaret Atwood's The Edible Woman are two novels which

exemplify the negative effects of society's influence. Both Elizabeth

Bennet and Marian McAlpin are strong women who rebel against society's

influences in their lives. They refuse to accept the pre-set roles and

identities handed to them. Both women realize that the individual's needs

are not necessarily the same as what society imposes on them; they rebel

against this very society in order to gain the independence necessary to

Society in the early 19th century world of Pride and Prejudice is

represented through Mrs. Bennet and those like her, who are "of mean

understanding, little information, and uncertain temper" (Austen 53). From

the beginning of the novel, society prominently displays its views on

marriage. When Mr. Bingly moves to town, Mrs. Bennet immediately entreats

her husband to go introduce himself. Mrs. Bennet describes Bingly as "a

single man of large fortune; four or

norm" of society. In Elizabeth's case, she does not want to marry for

intimidated, and refuses to promise that she will not marry Darcy. Lady

He thinks he loves Elizabeth, yet he continues to degrade her on the basis

rising young lawyer, socially acceptable, all around popular guy. For this

situation and completely disregards society. After a series of events both

stop trying to change herself and instead to take control of her life.

Catherine replies to Elizabeth's defiance by asking, "do you know who I am?

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1403
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)