“NO” MEANS “NO”

A case study on landlords being rejected in "Mansfield Park" and "Pride and Prejudice"

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the intriguing cases of marriage proposals refusal present in Jane Austen’s novels Mansfield Park (originally published in 1814) and Pride and Prejudice (dated 1813). In these, two outstanding suitors, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Darcy, proposed marriage to the respective heroines, Fanny Price and Elizabeth Bennet, only to be rejected, despite these being the most lucrative and attractive offers they would likely receive throughout their lives. The methodology used involves an analysis of the historical and social context of the works, focusing on matrimonial relationships and societal expectations prevalent in 19^th-century England. The reasons behind the heroines’ refusals will be examined, as well as how this significantly alters the course of events in the aforementioned novels. Consequently, our argument is that such refusals provide a space for confrontational dialogues, revealing the importance of self-criticism and these same men’s willingness to acknowledge their own perceived flaws before receiving an affirmative response. We intend to provide a reflection on the role of marriage (also as a means of social advancement), but also on the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the crucial role of self-development in building lasting relationships.