The background on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is 19th century England. This is key to know, because women, were only house wives and marriage was a key factor is deeming a women's life as successful or not, including that she provides a continuation of a family heir. Also, women had little education and most middle class and high class families had servants that cleaned and cooked for them on a daily bases. The woman's only key role was planning social events to host or attend and childbearing and caring.
     The main theme has to do with marriage; marriage is the center point for this book. Marriage was important to uphold family reputations, when women left home, and men were able to gain their inheritances. It was essential for girls to be married off as young as possible and get them out of the house. Once they were over a certain age they were not wanted for marriage unless already married. Marriage was significant for men because they had to have a wife before they could receive any part of their inheritance from their family.