Love In Pride And Prejudice, By Anne Bradstreet's Contrast

Love plays a significant role in the life of the average person. There are both positive and negative effects of love. Both the novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, and the poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” by Anne Bradstreet have similar ideas and qualities. Although they are different, both pieces of literature tie to the common theme, love. The poems’ explanation of love helps to highlight the growth of Elizabeth’s love throughout the novel.

The two pieces of literature have similar qualities yet certain aspects of both are not comparable to one another. For example, throughout the poem, Bradstreet shows continuous love from the narrator. From the beginning of the poem love is prominent, “If ever two were one, then surely we” (1).

Elizabeth explained her feelings to Jane when she said “There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well” (117). This idea foreshadows the love Elizabeth will later posses in the novel towards Darcy. From the point of view Pride and Prejudice is written in, the reader learns that Elizabeth loves Darcy. This is significant because in the poem Bradstreet says “If ever two were one, then surely we” (1). This ties the novel and the poem together because the love that Elizabeth and Darcy share. Elizabeth described her love as something she only holds for certain people, and when she loves them it is strong. From the start of the novel there were hints that the two of them would end up together. The manner in which they acted towards one another with flirtatious conversations, awkward encounters, and visiting one another gave a sense of togetherness between the two

This idea was explained in the novel, “Lady Catherine’s unjustifiable endeavors to seperate us were the means of removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for my present happiness to your eager desire of expressing your gratitude” (328). Yet another influential turning point of Darcy and Elizabeth’s emotional growth. This proved that they had the power to overcome obstacles with their relationship. The problems between Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship and Lady Catherine provide evidence to the line in the poem, “Then while we live, in love let’s so persever” (11). Persever means that one will take a course of action even when faced with difficulty. In other words, this is exactly the reaction that Elizabeth, along with Darcy took to go against the harsh feelings of Lady Catherine so they could be