Feminists argue that throughout history women have been treated as less than human by men. However, women are not exempt from denigrating other women, especially those of lower social status. In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, women are seen treating other women unequally based on their appearance, manners and abilities. During the Regency era appearance was extremely important. If a woman arrived at a party underdressed or underdressed, she was mocked and ridiculed for days by the other women. Since propriety was also valued, those who were dressed scandalously would be shunned by others to safeguard their reputation. Appearance was also an indicator of social status and wealth, which determined whether a person was worthy of knowledge or not. Jane, the eldest of the Bennet daughters, is considered the most marriageable in the family due to her appearance; she is considered very attractive. At a ball attended by the Bennet family, Mr. Darcy says to Mr. Bingley, "You were dancing with the only pretty girl in the room" in reference to Jane. While Elizabeth, who is considered less attractive than Jane, is called "tolerable, but not beautiful enough to tempt me"ii by Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy immediately fires Elizabeth because she is not attractive enough. Elizabeth's appearance is also scorned by the ladies of Netherfield when she comes to visit Jane, who has fallen ill. Instead of admiring Elizabeth for her dedication to her sister, the women choose to focus on her appearance: “I will never forget the way she looked this morning. It really seemed almost wild. Her hair so messy, so unkempt... And her petticoat... six inches soaked in mud, I'm sure; and the dress lowered to this... middle of paper... makes them worth less. Lady Catherine goes on to say that her daughter can play the piano and practices every day, making her a much more valuable woman. Mary, one of Elizabeth's younger sisters, is considered the least valuable and least eligible for marriage because of her lack of skills. He has few talents; she cannot draw and cannot play the piano or sing despite her many attempts: "Her voice was weak and her manner affected."xii Elizabeth's piano playing is considered "pleasant but not at all exceptional"xiii and Jane is noted to be an expert player, making him superior. Although men often treat women as inferior, in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, women are seen humiliating other women. A woman's worth is based on her appearance, her manners and her abilities. Works Cited Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen