Sorry the message went off before I could cut the extensive quote.
Many sources and even instructors speak of women of the time having no
rights. Though women were more circumscribed than men , mostly by their
families and not by the laws, it was married women who lost their very
identity and being in marriage. In some cases they could even be excused
of committing a crime if they could convince a jury that their husband made
them do it.
Mr. Woodhouse does not appear to be one to depart much from tradition so
though he didn't like how marriage took females away from home,he was
unlikely to do anything except leave his estate and money to his daughters
in equal shares which would then be divided by the husbands. As Knightley
already has the Abbey, it is only reasonable for John to have the House.
Mr. Woodhouse doesn't appear to have much estate other than the house with
money in the funds.
Nancy
