Marxist Feministic Analysis: A Comparative Study of Austen’s Pride and prejudice & Kamal's Unmarriageable

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the issues of Marxist feminism in the
selected novels “The Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen and
“Unmarriageable” by Soniah Kamal. However, the main purpose of the study is
to explore the aspects of patriarchal society and limited choice for women in all
matters in the context of two different cultures. The other reason for the study is
to educate women about their rights and make them independent economically.
The Marxist feministic notion of Fredriech Engel's (1884) has been applied as a
theoretical framework. The findings show how the female characters struggle
for their survival in a society where only men can give them save economic
life. The protagonists of both novels decided to live a single life without the
support of a rich man and make money for themselves, but we see that both of
them end up marrying a rich man in the town. So that shows that women have
to go a long way to make themselves financially independent. They cannot live
a satisfactory life by earning money themselves still they need the support of a
man. Thus the study concludes with a view that societies presented in the
novels are extremely patriarchal where women are forced to accept the roles
decided for them and live a dependent life. The basic reason for women
exploitation begins with the family, where they are always suppressed in
making choices in meals, education, and marriage. There is a need to spread
awareness among people. People should be educated to erase this
discrimination and find a pure classless society, in which women are respected
and honoured without facing prejudice by men.