What is the role of women in the society depicted by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice.

In Pride and Prejudice the roles of women follow the same
roles that women were expected to follow back in Regency England, which was Jane
Austen's time.

First, women had to be married to become
formal citizens, basically. If a woman did not marry she would literally become a
destitute, or an annoying spinster expected to live in the house of one of her brothers
or sisters.

Second, women were to be the epitome of good
manners, prudence and nurturing. A woman was to be her husband's
"everything".

Third, women were expected to come into a
marriage through a dowry. A dowry is like a "down payment" made by the bride's family to
officially combine the finances of both parties. The larger your dowry, the higher the
possibilities to make a good marriage. Good, in this case however, refers to financially
stable.

Finally, women were to surrender everything to the
home, be home keepers, entertainers, mothers, counselors, AND wives. It was no simple
task.