Role of Women in the 19th Century English Society as Depicted in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park

Abstract

This study has investigated the role of women in 19th-century English society as depicted in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, focusing on how the novel portrays female characters within the social and cultural constraints of the era. This study has used a qualitative literary analysis approach with feminist and socio-historical frameworks. This study explores how Austen critiques and reflects on the roles of women, particularly through the character of Fanny Price. The study examines the societal expectations placed on women, emphasizing the tension between personal desires and social obligations, and how these forces shape the experiences and choices of the female characters. The study has concluded that Austen has a subtle critique of these limitations and her portrayal of the complex intersection of gender, class, and morality can be traced especially in the context of marriage. By situating Mansfield Park within its historical and cultural context of nineteenth century, this study has concluded that Austen’s exploration of gender roles and the restrictions placed on women in her time, offers valuable insights into the ongoing relevance of these themes in both historical and contemporary discourse on gender and power studies of nineteenth century and the current gender studies.