In Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet, the mother of the protagonist, Elizabeth, is usually portrayed as a buffoon who is an adversary to her daughter who is trying to force her into a marriage she doesn't want. One wonders how she can be justified in any way, given that she is known for embarrassing her family members and behaving foolishly. However, in the times they live in, marriage is necessary for the whole family to avoid a terrible fate. Mrs. Bennet, although she often behaves inappropriately, tries to do the best for her daughters based on the world she lives in. Elizabeth Bennet's refusal of Mr. Collins puts her family at risk of homelessness. In England, in the days of the great landowners, according to Professor Naomi Tadmor of Lancaster University, "primogeniture existed both in law and in custom" (Tadmor, Eighteenth-Century England 109). Thus, only one person can acquire the domain. Only men can inherit, as Mr. Bennet, after receiving a letter, tells his family: "It comes from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, can drive you all out of this house as soon as 'he will. pleases” (Austen 60). Mr. Bennet alludes to how Mr. Collins's estrangement from the family would justify the action he describes, even though Mr. Bennet has never met Mr. Collins before and therefore cannot take into account his strange personality in this eventuality. If Mr. Collins evicted them, as he is supposed to do, the family would be left homeless. This risk of being deported is so great that Mrs. Bennet is sure that Elizabeth would marry Mr. Collins. After hearing the news of Elizabeth's refusal, Mrs. Bennet, "was beyond the reach of reason and she continued to bitterly denounce the cruelty of settling an estate... in the middle of a paper... ..g." Central Criminal Court, London. Np, nd Web. March 28, 2014. “Education, Women’s Education, and “Achievements.” » Republic of Pemberley, nd Web. Maurer, Elizabeth “Courtship and Marriage in.” the 18th century. " The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Np, 1997. Web. March 17, 2014. Tadmor, Naomi. Family and Friends in Eighteenth-Century England: Home, Kinship, and Patronage. Cambridge, England: Cambridge UP, 2001. Questia School. Web . March 28, 2014. “Women's Suffrage Movement.” BBC Np, nd Web. “The Status of Women in Mid-19th Century England.” , Jr., Roger B. Manning, Henry L. Snyder and EA Reitan 3rd ed. Questia School March 28.. 2014.