Marriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Marriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

In pride and Prejudice there are many different marriages that occur.

There are also, various, different incentives for these marriages. In

comparing Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship with, Lydia and Wickham,

and Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins the reader begins to see the

different reasons in which the partners marry. The reader can base

their views on the priorities of each relationship. If a reader was to

read of a marriage based on financial security like Mr Collins and

Charlotte Lucas' they may have preconceived ideas about how the

relationship will work if love is not involved, they may form

prejudices on the marriage based on their own beliefs and ideals.

Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship could be seen as the ideal state

between two extremes because they are marrying for love and financial

security whereas Lydia and Wickham's marriage is one of physical

attraction and emotions. On the other hand Charlotte and Mr Collins

are marrying for financial security alone, which is in direct contrast

to Lydia and Wickham's relationship.

Lydia and Wickham emotions dominate their reason.

Their marriage is one of 'little understanding of one another's

characters,' no 'good dispositions' no 'similarity in feeling and

taste' and we later find out no 'financial security.' This is outside

opinion of what is going on.

Lydia does not listen to Elizabeth's as Elizabeth expresses her

distaste of Wickhams character. Lydia's indiscreet and impulsive

attachment receives heavy condemnation from the people around her.

Wickham becomes disinterested in Lydia after there initial attraction,

whi...

... middle of paper ...

...keable.

Elizabeth sees him in a different light and the pair begin to fall in

love.

Later on in the book as the pair become better acquainted Darcy

re-proposes Elizabeth this time agrees seeing the error of her quick

judgement, (though I do think her rejection of Darcy, and his earlier

rejection of her contributed to the changing of his character which

encouraged her to say yes.)

The couple's hard work and perseverance led to this marriage being so

successful.

I think that Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage is the ideal state between

two extremes because the love of money and fear of loneliness, and the

love of love only led to the couples being forced into unhappy

marriages.

A good middle ground like Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship (or Jane

and Bingley's) leads to a happier marriage for the couples.