1.3 Significance of This Study

It is clear that there has been numerous studies Pride and prejudice both at home and abroad. Many of them explore this novel with great passion and observation from the perspectives of sociology, historical setting, views of marriage and love, feminism, art of irony, narration ect. And there has been little interpretation alloted to the character analysis, even for the major characters. Still less attention is paid to the characters like Mr. Bennet, who I belive that, as a patriarch of the family, he is too important to be neglected. Most of the previous studies are fragmental in the analysis of Mr. Bennet’s character.Therefore, this paper, by canvassing every detail in the novel, is to make a thorough and meticulous interpretation of the character, Mr. Bennet. Moreover, I cherish the hope that this paper will be helpful to shed lights on the understanding of the whole novel by the comprehensive understanding of this character.

1.4 Layout of the Paper

This paper consists of four parts. The first part is the introduction part, which encompasses brief introduction of Jane Austin and her Pride and Prejudice, previous researches both at home and abroad, the significance of this study and the layout of the paper. It is aimed at introducing and narrowing the focus on the study. 

The second part deals with his domestic relationship with his wife and his five daughters. It mainly illustrates Mr.Bennet’s lack of sense of family responsibility and its effect on his family. As for his lack of sense of family responsibility, his imprudence in managing his legcy for his family, his patriality to Elizabeth and his negligence of his three difficult daugthers and his indifference to his wife will be minutely discussed. As for the negative effect caused by his lack of responsibility will be analysed from the perspective of his wife’s anxiety and his daugthers’ weaknesses in personality. 

The third part penetrates into his weaknesses in personality and his lack of being esteemed. as manifested in him as an escapist, a cynic, and a man seldom to be respected., I will first present some definations of escapism to facilitate a further understanding and then goes to analyses his escapist in mentality and behaviour. For Mr. Bennet as a cynic, I will display my interpretation in two perspectives, namely, his sarcastic language and his rejection to society. For Mr. Bennet as a man lack of being esteemed, he is sometimes not esteemed as the father and as the leader of the family.

The last part is the conclusion part and a short summary will be generalized.

2. Mr. Bennet’s Lack of Sense of Family Responsibility and Its Effect on His Family

2.1 His Lack of Sense of Family Responsibility

2.1.1 His Imprudence in Managing His Legacy for His Family

We know that the entail law is to protect the privilege of the male lineage. The real property is prevented from being sold and devised by will and the want of a direct male descendant could lead to the inheritance of the other male of the family. This indicates that Mr. Bennet could not sell his lands and designate an heir under the entail law. However, it could be assumed that two thousand per annum is a sufficient income for them. It is observed that “Mr. Bennet's “estate of two thousand a year” is therefore quite clearly that of a prosperous member of the landed gentry and most certainly not that of an impoverished country gentleman struggling to make ends meet.” (Downie 2006: 71) We may see that although Mr. Bennet could do little about the land, he could maintain the income and save money as to sustain their provision after his death. It may seem to be excusable that the couple firmly believes that they will produce a son to cut off the entail. However, they should also prepare for the want of a son and be economy in their spending. There is a consequential necessity for economy. In the Regency England, “…, there were few other vocations in this society in which a woman was conditioned to find purpose.” “…, a woman’s place was a domestic one.” (Olson 2013: 15) At that time, women are not encouraged to find a job. They are largely financially dependent on the males of the family. In this case, as we may suppose that, if Mr. Bennet had decreased unexpectedly, they would have been thrown out of Longbourn and living a destitute life. We may think that he is imprudent in the management of the income to leave legacy for his family. With the engagement with Bingley and the prospect of being the mistress of the Netherfield, Jane proclaims that “I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me.” (Austen 449) This further hints that Longbourn family is relatively careless in the money matters. Apart from the ill management of the income, he is thoughtless about providing the due dowry for his daughters and preparing money for some potential unexpected accidents.文献综述