You have done a great job in posing this question and I agree with Line's statement. I once (long time ago, now) brought up the fact that JA was trying to showcase the often desperate circumstances women found themselves in and the sometimes impulsive and reckless decisions they made to ward off poverty and/or life-dependency if they were lucky enough to have someone to provide it. Her works underline the helplessness and lack of options that women had so in her own quiet way, Austen was a voice for the need for change. I didn't generate much support for this idea so I'm glad to see it surface during this group read. Thanks.