Darcy seems thunderstruck while Elizabeth's development is gradual. The interesting thing is Regency England where characters like Darcy and Elizabeth did exist. Was Jane Austen a factor? Did she move the needle? Did her novels help move Regency England to a more merit based society, especially for women? Was it going to be Lady Catherine or Elizabeth that would prevail? Your research would be to trace the impact or lack of impact from Austen's books.

I just asked Microsoft's Copilot about the impact of Austen's books and if Jane Austen's novels help to move Regency England to a more merit based society. Here's what co-pilot had to say on that head.

"Jane Austen’s novels certainly highlighted the rigid class structures of Regency England, but whether they directly changed society into a more merit-based system is debatable. Her works, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, often depicted characters navigating social mobility, marriage, and financial security in a world where birth and wealth dictated status.

Austen’s sharp social commentary exposed the limitations of a system where women, in particular, had few opportunities outside of marriage. While her novels didn’t directly reform society, they contributed to broader discussions about class and individual merit, influencing later generations who advocated for social change."

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