International Journal of English

and Literature (IJEL)

ISSN(P): 2249-6912; ISSN(E): 2249-8028
Vol. 6, Issue 5, Oct 2016, 37-42
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd

THE EMBEDDED IMPERIALISM AND JANE AUSTEN: A COMPARATIVE

STUDY BETWEEN THE DOMESTIC EXPLOITATION IN PRIDE AND
PREJUDICE AND OVERSEAS EXPLOITATION IN PRIDE AND
PREJUDICE AND IN MANSFIELDPARK BY JANE AUSTEN
FARHANA HAQUE
Department of English and Humanities, BRAC University Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
This paper has been written to unveiled the embedded colonial spirit of Britishs domestic exploitation and the
overseas exploitation throughout the novel Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. After exploring the
novel Pride and Prejudice i have found out Jane Austens attachment with Imperialism which has expressed by the
exploitation of domestic labours. The more we stepped to go deep inside of the novel the more we will able to know how
the British people did treat their domestic labours or peasants with ruling power and considered them as inferior and
Prejudice. In pride and Prejudice there has been the presence of overseas exploitation and as well as, after exploring the
novel Mansfield Park i have got the immensely fixed ideas about overseas exploitation. Hence the aim of my paper is to
make the link of these two novels with the ideas of imperialism through the domestic and overseas exploitation.
KEYWORDS: Imperialism, Domestic Exploitation, Overseas Exploitation, Jane Austen, Nether field Park, Mansfield
Park

Original Article

mean. To describe the imperial attitudes, i must travel from the higher to the lower class people in the novel Pride and

Received: Sep 04, 2016; Accepted: Sep 29, 2016; Published: Oct 04, 2016; Paper Id.: IJELOCT20166

INTRODUCTION
The domestic exploitation and the overseas exploitation were two different terms and here in the novel
Pride and Prejudice this concept of exploitation was hardly visible and actually stayed in den. As Austen was
ingenious to present her novels mainly by love and marriage affairs where the issue of imperialism became fade.
But in my paper i will try to expose the notion of imperialism through Austens Pride and Prejudice. To the
contrary, most of the critics considered Austens Mansfield Park as an perfect example of imperialism whereas
Pride and Prejudice was the representation of family affairs centered with love and marriage. Here in Pride and
Prejudice, the critics of different sectors predominantly tried to amplify the trace of imperialism which was hidden
somehow in the activities of the characters and the plot of the novel. Domestic exploitation and overseas
exploitation has been seen in Pride and Prejudice in a parallel way. While in Mansfield Park the theme of overseas
exploitation or imperialism was vivid by the slave trade which Sir Thomas Bertram did settle in the Caribbean
island named as Antigua.

www.tjprc.org

editor@tjprc.org

38

Farhana Haque

The Novel Pride and Prejudice Represents the Enclosure Movement through the Characters of Mr. Darcy and Mr.
Bingley
Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley were the two prominent figures of higher class who came to the Nether field to set up
their thriving business. The characters of this novel were very much excited to invite a wealthy handsome man to their
home in order to polish their life even for the one time. At the beginning of the novel, Mrs. Bennet asked Mr. Bennet to call
on their new neighbour Mr. Bingley at their home. The Bennet couple thought if they invited Mr. Bingley at their plain
home then they could feel honoured as Mr. Bingley would bought a land in Nether field Park and would live there for a
long time. This concept of welcoming a wealthy man like Mr. Bingley was not a simple matter based on home, property,
love and marriage. There were some other issues to get attracted a man like Bingley. The past critics actually unnoticed this
issue may be unconsciously. The attraction towards property was vital because of the industrial revolutionary period which
was almost related with the notion of colonialism. Jane Austen was deeply engaged in the era of industrial revolution and
colonialism. That is why she tried to uphold the supreme traits of British people in her novels. In the time of Austen
industrial revolution was known as the workshop of the world. This Industrial Revolution did prove it as the real example
of capitalist and their economy was increased and has expanded by the innovation of new machines in order to produce
mass-production. The bourgeoisie class rushed towards the labour force to reinforced the enclosure movement. As a result
to establish the process of Enclosure Movement they eliminated the local farmers from their farmland. That was the reason
why the bourgeoisie has been shifted their habituatat and business to the land of rural people. It is to be noted that Mr.
Bingley was among those bourgeoisie who came to the Nether field for his business purpose as well as to live for the long
time.
Mr. Darcy and Bingley were the appropriate examples of bourgeoisie who has gone to the countryside to settle
their business. At the very beginning of the novel, they were mentioned and honoured by Mrs. Long and some other
members of the neighbourhood as two gentlemen of property and they were considered to as a wealthy person who came to
Nether field for buying a home and which was the reason for the girls to get them as their husband. The settlement in the
countryside was not confined within the issue of living here in this novel. If we try to explore the notion of Mr. Darcy and
Mr. Bingley we could able to perceive the issue of establishing the running power of industrial movement. They actually
tried to purchase a countryside house only to accumulate capitals by the hardship of the countrysides labours. Through this
shifting nature from city to the rural area significantly expressed the nature of imperialism which was largely proclaimed
by Austen, therefore she used to hide her this notion in a silent way.
Besides of Bingley, the appearance of Darcy and his intention to move towards the countryside sprinkled the
another motif of imperialism. By creating these two wealthy and imperial characters, Austen did support the enclosure
movement as well as imperialism. Through the characters of Austen, she always used to portray the pride of being an
English man. She also represented her characters language, behaviours, thoughts and activities based on imperialism but
within the domestic sphere. But this was not her ultimate intentions which was revealed after a decade later, Mary Evans,
in her Jane Austen: Women, Politics and the Novel, argues that "Austens representation of the domestic includes
self-conscious appraisal of current politics; her domestic interiors are not tranquil enclaves but spaces resonant with
political meaning". Austen's was a scintillating person who did hide the notion of imperialism through the domestic
activities in her novels. This was her tricks to portray the picture of domestic values in the early 19th century, which had
been called the "wider foreign empire" (Said, 1993: 90). That means Imperialism has gained access into domesticity.

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.5629

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

The Embedded Imperialism and Jane Austen: A Comparative Study between the
Domestic Exploitation in Pride and Prejudice and Overseas Exploitation in
Pride and Prejudice and in Mansfieldpark by Jane Austen

39

Overseas Colonization in the Novel Mansfield Park

As pride and Prejudice has developed its story based on domestic issues and exploitation of the peasants, where
the novel Mansfield Park was greatly known as the story of slave trade. This slave trade was performed by the British
rulers after thinking it as the part of their colonialism. The Enclosure Movement means to spread the rapid development of
the industrial revolution where the notion of domestic exploitation was at the highest point. However, in Mansfield Park it
is absolutely clear about the overseas exploitation thus imperialism. In this novel Austen has expressed an intense
enthusiasm about overseas exploitation and colonization of other countries and also did support the overseas plantations,
for example Sir Thomas has earned his property by the overseas plantation in Antigua. Hence Mansfield Park was known
as a novel to rule and made the estate of the higher class through the hardship of the slaves of Antigua. In Mansfield Park,
the Bertram estate in England was settled by Sir Thomas Bertram journey to Antigua from where he earned the substantial
property. The labour of the natives of a plantation in the Antigua has exhibited here as overseas exploitation. Antigua
became the land of marginal significance with the people who was suffering from inferiority complex. Fanny was the only
character in the novel who asked a question about the slave trade. But she did get no answer and Austen has left it as same
as she thought to not reveal this slave trades issue. She was trying to conceal this matter of slave trade from the readers
and looked very disturbed yet timid. She was heedless to pursue that very important question about salve trade. Fannys
question created pause, a momentary silence in the conversation but didnt disrupt the harmony of the domestic circle of
which she was a part when her cousin, Edmund pointed out to Fanny that her silence in the evening circle. she asserted,
But I do not talk to him more than I used. I am sure I do. Did not you hear me ask him about the slave trade last
night (Austen, 198). She told to Edmund that she had longed to ask her uncle more question, but had been
such a dead silence (Austen, 198).
Sir Thomass inability or unwillingness to answer Fannys question provided the my sterious environment related
his slave trade in West Indies. As Fanny told to Edmund
The evenings do not appear long to me. I love to hear my uncle talk of the west indies. I could listen him for an
hour (Austen, 197).
She also observed of her uncle that
The repose of his own family circle is all he wants (Austen, 196).
Fanny again remarked that if she now proceed to ask the questions about colonization and slave trade that would
Surely disturb her uncles repose. By not giving the answer of slave trade Austen thus proved her mentality towards
overseas exploitation. And has left us with the great silence and confusion. As Fanny can see more, she also didnt go
beyond a certain point instead she accepted the silence and do not force it to have meaning. A rebellious, outspoken Fanny
could be a different character but Austen compelled her to keep mum as she has the notion to inflate the ideologies of
imperialism through the overseas exploitation. For example, if Fanny were to question the silence, she would also question
the foundations of Mansfield park. Which was not possible for a novel in the phase of colonialism. As a rebel, she needed
to reject any social order celebrated by the British people as they were the main culprit to promote the injustice, oppression
over the natives of Antigua. Therefore the Antiguan property has been taken over in the name of civilization, patriotism,
nationalism and glorious glories of the empire. It was Austen who did design the character of Fanny in a confused manner,
who used to stand against the injustice but in the issue of slave trade she became silent. Edward Said has been seen
www.tjprc.org

editor@tjprc.org

40

Farhana Haque

Austens reference to the slave trade as being morally neutral. she did disturb the surface in her characteristics vein, then
quickly restores order and harmony.
Nether Field Parks Connection with the Overseas Exploitation Represents the Imperial Attitudes in Pride and
Prejudice
There was the belief among the critics that, in social order or in historical platform there was no trace of
imperialism or colonialism in the novel Pride and Prejudice. The critics ideologies were wrought by the concept of
domestic values in Pride and Prejudice while this novel has also been presented with the touch of imperialism just like
Mansfield Park. Pride and Prejudice has been exhibited a British oriented countryside named Nether field, the activities of
British imperialism was expressed through this place Nether field. And it has proved that how Britain was involved in
overseas colonization. And its impact was fallen on the domestic life. In Pride and Prejudice there was the striking
similarities between Mansfield Park and Nether field Park. It also revealed the significant relationship between the
economical success and the affluent profits from overseas colonization and domestic exploitation. This kind of overseas
and domestic exploitations issue was mentioned in the novel by Mr. Bingleys father who was rich through commercial
business and did handover Bingley an enormous wealth and property. Instead of farm business, Bingleys father was dealt
with the commercial business which has been developed around the 18th to 19th century by exploiting the peasant labours.
Therefore, the work of Mr. Bingleys father was similar to the work of Sir Thomas Bertram in Mansfield Park which was
gained by domestic exploitation or overseas exploitation. Here it is to be noted that the imperial influence was effective in
both the domestic and overseas spheres presented in pride and Prejudice but in implicit way.
Wickhams Activities Resembles with the British Empire to Its Colonies
Wickhams activities were deceiving and spurious towards girls in making relations. He was more than a
dishonest person presented in the Pride and Prejudice. His character was almost like the British empire, who has been
carried the twist with the empires clutches of dissatisfaction to acquire treasures from overseas. In Pride and Prejudice
Wickham did seduce Darcys younger sister at first and asked for more money after he has consumed the money given by
her father. Later on he did cheat with Elizabeth and then again he did deceive Elizabeths younger sister and persuaded her
to elope with him. The superiority of colonialism has been seen by their extorting motives, thus they used to accumulate
the precious treasures from its colonies. By doing like that they felt that they were establishing the platform of civilization
to those colonies. In fact, Wickham was considered as the perfect helper to commit crime to the Britain Empire. As a
military officer Wickham in British army he was moving in and out of the country. Britain has observed three wars with
America for the protection of its colonies in America. Secondly Britain has been attached with war for 13 years from the
notion to compete with France and wanted to get the domination over the European continent. The British military troops
gave absolute and necessary support to those wars, and thats why Britain had to maintain a handsome amount of soldiers.
In this way the soldiers has also been seen as moving in and out of the Nether field Park. They were those very soldiers
who get engaged in French and American wars. During the life time of Austen there were no such wars therefore,
Wickhams linkage with the empires overseas exploitation and the colonial competition with French. The career of
Wickham seemed to emphasis the efforts of imperial dominance whether it is inside or outside the country.

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.5629

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

The Embedded Imperialism and Jane Austen: A Comparative Study between the
Domestic Exploitation in Pride and Prejudice and Overseas Exploitation in
Pride and Prejudice and in Mansfieldpark by Jane Austen

41

Austen Tries to Make her reader to Forget the Crimes Done by the British People in the Overseas
In Pride and Prejudice, Austen did present so many balls and dances where the British soldiers used to attend. She
did present that in a simple manner where she needed to mention the flaws of the British soldiers which was utterly
unaccepted. Austen did avoid about the dangers of wars and there was no explicit mention of the wars which has fought in
the sphere of overseas with America and French. As we know, usually soldiers feel proud to share their adventurous events
in a battlefield but here in the novel Pride and Prejudice the soldiers were busy in social and family oriented activities
which was not the characteristics of the soldiers. This kind of ambiguous reference showed the avoiding nature of Austen
regarding the overseas exploitation done by the British soldiers. If there were few opportunities to talk about wars and
fights at balls, Mr. Philips home could provide the readers about the actual scenario of war and the soldiers. But
unfortunately the officers and others were busy doing other stuffs instead of sharing their experiences at war field. They
just played cards and spoke nothing about the overseas war. To present the influential attitudes of Austen towards
imperialism, Professor Butler argued that,
Austen herself lived in contentious times. Like Wordsworth and Coleridge, she served her literary apprenticeship
in the 1790s, the decade of the Terror and the Napoleonic Wars, an era in England of polemic and hysteria. Political
partisanship shaped the novel of her youth, in content, form, and style. (Marilyn Butler, 1975)
As Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham were having a conversation on their first meetingthey didnt talk about the
occupation of each other as we know its certain to happen that two persons first meetings should be run by asking and
discussing about their professions. Instead of that they talked about weather as their topics and then turned to Mr. Darcy,
but there they didnt even utter a single word related to the wars. The negative sides of wars resistedby Austen from
mentioning those cruel experiences in the daily life of the inhabitants of Netherfield. Then
The military moved to Brighton (Austen, 2003: 170).
Afterwards of the novel, it hasshowed the city as the needs of the expansion of the empire. Since Great Britain
was a country of island, so the empire took the advantage of the sea and to prepare a place for the regiment to drive there
for a preparation of wars. Only there was the mention of the youngest of Miss Bennet, as well as other young ladies, who
felt grievous to see the departing soldiers. However, there was till no word describing wars. Though the young girls were
happy with the association of the soldiers and enjoyed their flirtation. Here also Austen tried to hide the vicious scenes
encountered by the soldiers. Austen also did deviate the readers mind from the cruelty of wars rather than made the concept
of wars as like a events of enjoyment and the soldiers did carry the reputation of good friends or lovers. Austen even
suggested that war is like a game between young girls and soldiers or in other sense it was the romantic adventure for
soldiers.
Austens Attachment with Imperialism from the Critics Point of Views
Austen was a loyal follower of imperialism thus she did accept the attributes of colonialism and also implement
those in her novels. Lionel Trilling wrote in his essay about The buzz of implication" means that the culture which was
followed by the touch of imperialism that obviously will be considered as a half-uttered or unutterable expression of
imperial value. For example Fanny price, being a rebellious character she didnt able to raise her voice against the slave
trade, instead of raising her voice she became calm and quit. Austen was staying in such a web of imperialism from where
she had no way to escape. Edward Said also argued that Austen's work is
www.tjprc.org

editor@tjprc.org

42

Farhana Haque

"Improbable as art not involved with Empire"(Said, 1993: 55).

Although he only approved Mansfield Park for such detailed scrutiny, he never acknowledged that Pride and
Prejudice was immune from the influence of colonial expansion and Imperialism. Mansfield Park was actually the story of
overseas exploitation whereas throughout the novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen tried to show her interest in the
Empires colonial expansion abroad and the exploitation of workers at home, which we can say as domestic exploitation.

CONCLUSIONS
Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice has been carried the issues of domestic exploitation and overseas exploitation.
Just like Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice also did reveal Austens attitude toward the British imperialism but in a
different way. Pride and Prejudice contained the issue of domestic exploitation very strongly and also overseas
exploitation was also there by the plot of military force and the subject of war with other subsequent colonies of Britain.
Edward Said believed that,
The constant reference to the overseas dominions in Mansfield Park unfailingly informs the reader of Austens
linkage to the imperial business (Said, 1993).
While in Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen gave importance towards the topic of wars which was carried out with
America and French in the rivalry for colonial dominance and as well as the Enclosure Movement that banished the
peasants away from their land. And as well as shetried to avoid the crime of British Empire. Therefore, Pride and
Prejudice proved as a novel that unconsciously elucidated Austens intense relationship to the Empire. The discussion of
Austens connection with the British Empire will reveal some knowledge about the cultural and political areas discussed in
Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingleys shifting event was not coincident but Austen made that purposefully.
The same thing was happened for the shifting of military troops. Therefore, it has been proved that Austen was ingenious
to convey her connection with the British imperialism in a domestic and lucid way, where the actual face of domestic
exploitation and overseas exploitation were intentionally concealed. While on the other sides, in Mansfield Park, the issue
of embedded imperialism was clearly mentioned by Sir Thomas Bertrams notion of plantation in the Caribbean island.
REFERENCES
1.

Austen, Jane. (2003). Pride and Prejudice. (1st ed.).Shanghai: The World publishing Corporation. pp. 1-3, 10, 59, 170, 287.

2.

Butler, Marilyn. (1975). Jane Austen and the War of Ideas. Toronto: Oxford UP.

3.

Evans Mary. (1987). Jane Austen and the State. Routledge. pp. 11.

4.

Said, Edward. (1993). Culture and Empire. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp 55.

5.

Trilling, Lionel. (1987). The Moral Obligation to be Intelligent: Selected Essays. New York: Powells Books, pp 22.

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.5629

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1