Length: 495 words (1.4 double-spaced pages)
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Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

 

        "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in

possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."  Jane Austen

provides subsequent argument with the first line of her novel, Pride and

Prejudice.  A statement that remains true to this very day.

 

        Austen's' first statement sets up the beginning of the novel.  She

states that a man, financially well off, but with no mate to accompany him

to share in his wealth, is undoubtedly in search of a wife.  In Pride and

Prejudice,  Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy play the role of the rich men.  Mr.

And Mrs. Bennet are the parents of five unwed daughters.  Mr. And Mrs.

Bennet have conflicting thoughts about the arrival of the rich neighbors.

Mr. Bennet thinks nothing of it.  He has no new thoughts about the arrival

of Bingley and Darcy.  Mrs. Bennet sees flashing lights.  She views it as

the perfect chance to automatically place a few of her five daughters into

the rich community.  Marrying off her daughters serves as the main purpose

in Mrs. Bennet's life.

 

        Mrs. Bennet wants her husband to go and make a greeting to the new

crowd.  Her plans are to get in contact with them and make aware her five

unmarried daughters.  Mrs. Bennet encourages her daughter, Jane, to set her

sights on Mr. Bingley.  Mr. Bennet's' sarcastic comments prove his

disconcert on the whole topic.  When Jane is invited to meet with Mr.

Bingley and his sister, Mrs. Bennet suggests that she go by horseback in

hopes that she could probably get ill and extend her stay.  Mrs. Bennet's'

mind is always thinking of ways to marry off her daughters.  Her idea works

to perfection and Jane ends up staying longer.

 

        Mrs. Bennet goes to work again at the arrival of Mr. Collins, Mr.

Bennet's' cousin.  Mr. Collins stays at the Bennet's house for a short time.

 He will inherit Longbourn when Mr. Bennet dies since he will be the only,

close male relative.  Mr. Collins first intentions are toward Jane, but Ms.

Bennet informs him of Bingley.  Collins then changes his target to

Elizabeth.  Mrs. Bennet is astounded at the rejection from Elizabeth.  She

does everything in her power to try to persuade her to marry Collins.  Mrs.

Bennet views Collins as a successful Reverend with a prosperous future who

would be a good choice for Elizabeth.  Elizabeth will have no such thing,

and denies Collin.  Her father also supports Elizabeth's decision not to

accept the proposal.

 

        Marriage serves as the main element in Austen's' novel Pride and

Prejudice.  Mrs. Bennet's' preconception with her daughters and their mates

leads her to be almost a social misfit.  Behaving irregularly at public

ball and events, she constantly sets a bad name for her family.  On the

other side, Mr. Bennet's' traditional ways of thinking of not trying to

force marriage, but let it come naturally, contrast greatly with his wife.