Question

In Pride and Prejudice, what general observation is Jane Austen making about the society in which she lived? (This is a theme statement.)

Having guests for dinner was an elaborate affair that required a great deal of preparation.


People seem to be overly concerned with social status and social customs.


The rich should be doing more to take care of the poor.


Women shouldn’t be living on their own without a man in the house.

Answer 1

"People seem to be overly concerned with social status and social customs".

Step-by-step explanation:

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen is concerned with the fact that people seem to be overly concerned with the social status and the social customs. This is also one of the major reasons which developed in her the feelings of prejudice for the protagonists and the other richer characters of the novel. There are many incidences in the novel which showcases this theme where she judges the society on the basis of their social status and the social customs which they follow.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: People seem to be overly concerned with social status and social customs. The author criticizes the society of that time, where social class played a huge role in the relationships. For example, one person's social status was determined through that person's annual income, and that income comes through land ownership. Even marriages were arranged in order to follow this class structure, and you can tell the male dominance and female oppression. There were also strict rules and customs that forced people act a certain way for all social events. In the book she warns the readers about how a class-based prejudice can poison society.