It's a Woman's World

"What precisely does it mean, for a start, to 'direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex'?  To write another woman a romantic poem?  To fantasize about making love to her?  To share the same bed with her?  To live with her for fifty years?  To bring her to orgasm?" (3)

"'My dear Jane!" exclaimed Elizabeth, 'you are too good.  Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you.  I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserved.'" (164)

       In the Introduction and Excerpts from the Literature of Lesbianism, the subject of lesbianism within the history of authors, such as Jane Austen, has become uncovered in an attempt to find the history of such a subject.  But the author also brings up the fact that there are still many questions as to what makes a "lesbian" author.  Does Jane Austen, specifically Pride and Prejudice, fit this idea of lesbianism?
        There are many female characters within this novel.  Jane, Elizabeth, four other sisters, and Miss Bennet, and thats only naming within one family.  But there appears to be a lack of male character presence within this book except for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Bennet.  These male characters almost seem to be the backdrop in comparison to the women voices within the novel.  Because of this, I want to say that there is no real lesbianism within Pride and Prejudice.  Now, to play devils advocate with myself, I will say that the relationship between Jane and Elizabeth is the closest one can get to argue for the lesbian point of view.  They are constantly speaking to each other in confidence in bed, Elizabeth is constantly praising Jane, and they always are together, more so than the other sisters.  But to me, theres no fine line between sisterly love and lesbianism, but a big fat one that shows that it shouldn't be even relatable.  If they're sisters, why can't they lay in the same bed and talk about boys all night?
    Also, there is a very strong female voice in this novel, more so then in the actual society.  We get the women's point of views, rather than the mens.  This gives me a feeling that the women have to stick together.  They can't talk in confidence to men about womanly things because, in that society, it was unheard of.  The only way, it appears, that a reason a woman has to talk with a man is because of a social event, or in the act of trying to woo him.  Otherwise, they speak to their women friends.  Does this make it a more of a lesbian novel due to the fact that society puts a line between the men and the women?
   I can see the undertones of lesbianism within Pride and Prejudice, but they are so small that I find it hard to try to argue for the lesbian point of view and focus on the relationships of the women as women who just wants a close friend.