Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Miss Elizabeth Bennet had the offer of two marriage proposals within a

few months. She refused them both, but for very different reasons. The

first proposal, which was undertaken by Mr Collins, was declined under

the circumstances that she did not love him. The second proposal was

from Mr Darcy, a man who owned vast property and wealth, and had a

very high social status. Lizzy refused his proposition on the basis

that he asked her in an unacceptable manner. She already had a dislike

of Mr Darcy, because of his actions towards Jane Bennet and Mr

Bingley. In both situations, the men were surprised by her reply, as

they expected a positive reaction. Most 19th Century women would have

accepted the proposals, as love was not always expected to be found in

marriages, so Lizzy's feelings were an exception to normal views of

the period. Jane Austen's description of Lizzy's feelings and attitude

are closely similar, and this is reflected in Lizzys personality.

Marriages in the early 19th Century were often arranged, which meant a

daughter had little choice of whom she married. The parental role was

vital as it was their duty to get their children married well, and to

improve their family's social and financial status. They wanted to

know their children had security, and if one married very well, they

could care for the rest of the family. As Mr and Mrs Bennet did not

have a son to inherit their household, their daughters' cousin Mr

Collins was to entail their current home when Mr Bennet died.

Therefore, Mrs Bennet and her children would have been left with

little money and no permanent accommodation. Mrs Ben...

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... produce a closer bond. Lizzy grew to love Mr Darcy and

found he was a generous man and looked out for her family. She

realised this when he paid off all Mr Wickham's debts and saved her

family from being disgraced because of her sister Lydia running away

with Mr Wickham. If Lizzy had accepted his first proposal it would

have took a considerable amount of time for love to come to the

surface. I think Lizzy was right to refuse Mr Collins. They had

nothing in common, and Lizzy would have been constantly sending him

away to do things, to get him out of her way, just like Charlotte

Lucas did with Mr Collins when they were married and had just started

living together. The whole family would have benefited enormously if

Lizzy had accepted either proposal, as in the future it would have

saved her family from possible poverty.