In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen portrays a world in which choices for individuals are very limited, based almost exclusively on family wealth, social rank, and connections. A woman in such a world had little choice for her future; marriage presented the only option for leaving her family, and her response to a marriage proposal provided her only input in the outcome of her life. Although members of the upper class, the Bennet sisters and Charlotte Lucas have no inheritance, making marriage their only option for attaining wealth and maintaining or increasing their social standing. While Charlotte chooses to marry for security, Lydia marries impulsively to pursue her simplistic notion of love and marriage. Elizabeth Bennet illustrates an ideal form of marriage, as she refuses to trade her independent spirit for financial comfort and will only consent to a marriage based on love. …show more content…
Collins, castigating the impetuous marriage of Lydia and Wickham, and praising the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane Austen argues that the ideal marriage is one based on
The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, in Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” explores marriage and love. It shows how their class expectations and marriage play a major role in deciding how their relationship will end. When they meet each other at the first ball, Darcy says “She [Elizabeth] is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You [Bingley] had better...
In Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the necessity of marrying well is one of the central themes. In Austen’s era a woman’s survival depended on her potential to acquire an affluent partner. This meant a choice of marrying for love and quite possibly starve, or marry a securing wealthy person, there was a risk of marrying someone who you might despise.
The Attitudes Toward Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Jane Austin wrote the novel Pride and Prejudice in 1813. The novel provides a great deal of information and gives us a detailed insight to the different attitudes towards marriages at the time. Pride and Prejudice is focused and written about the lifestyles among "gentry". The "gentry" was the middle to upper class citizens in England. In the novel Jane Austin shows us that social status is a very important factor and that is was essential to have connections with people higher up in the gentry.
Since the beginning of time, marriage exists as a large part of life. The values of marriage change on a year to year basis and as trends continue to change so will marriage. There have been numerous reasons for marriage throughout time such as arranged, wealth, love or many others. In the 18th century, many marriages were based on one’s class and wealth and not true love. Today, many marriages do not take wealth or class into account they focus on that person’s inner self and love. Marriage exists as an overlying theme throughout Pride and Prejudice and every marriage appears for a different reason.
Elizabeth is a romantic, and wants to find a man worthy of her love. On the other hand, Charlotte believes “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” Elizabeth laughs at her friend, and replies, “You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself” (24). However, Charlotte soon enters into a marriage that offers her a good home and security, but a repulsive husband. With these two characters, Austen illustrates the two kinds of marriages most common in the novel: Charlotte’s is an example of a secure, if not pleasant, marriage arrangement. Elizabeth eventually marries Darcy out of genuine love for him, not for want of money or prospects. Unfortunately, others still see the marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth as
Austen makes it clear throughout her writings that marriage for mercenary reasons such as for money, attraction, a home or rank is a bad idea and the ending of Pride and Prejudice is witness to this: Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins end up avoiding each other, Mr. Bennet continuously takes amusement at his wife's expense, and Lydia soon loses Wickham`s affec...
would be a very gallant thing for him to do to marry one of his
Throughout the novel, characters where faced and forced to overcome obstacles of love. Views of marriage differed from character to character. Women where not educated and where forced to conform to the society’s expectations which kept them from being independent. Therefore, Elizabeth Bennet’s mother, Mrs. Bennet forced marriage upon her daughters. Elizabeth’s engagement to Darcy was criticized because many did not feel the couple was a good match for each other because he was a “proud” individual, and their economic differences and stature also prohibited the couple to be a good match according to society. Mrs. Bennet was happy when she heard about Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth stating, “How rich and how great you will be!”… what pin- money, what jewels, what carriages you will have!” (Austen 325). Mrs. Bennet’s focus of life revolved around her daughters or at least one of her daughters marrying wealthy, so that not only that daughter will be cared for, but Mrs. Bennett and any unwed sisters will be provided for, as well. Mr. Bennett agreed that, “the business of her life was to get her daughters married; i...
Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice portrays varying attitudes to marriage. "The intricate social network that pervades the novel is one that revolves around the business of marriage". Through her female characters the reader sees the different attitudes to marriage and the reasons that these women have for marrying. These depend on their social status and their personal values. The reader is shown the most prevalent and common view of marriage held by society in Austen's time, and through the heroine, a differing opinion of marriage is explored. We are shown how marriage is viewed by the very wealthy and the values they emphasise in marriage. Through the characterisation of these women and use of irony, Austen has influenced the reader's opinions on the characters attitude about marriage and that of their contemporaries.
Jane Austen, also criticizes marriage based on convenience and money. She criticizes through the experiences of Charlotte and Collins. The characters Charlotte and Collins are “perfect” for each other, they are both fake, selfish and scheming. In the nineteenth century, “most” not all women had this mindset where they wanted to marry successful and rich men to secure their futures. Love meant nothing to these types of women. Materialistic things meant everything. Charlotte Lucas is a character that only got married to secure her future. “Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window...and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane” After Charlotte finds out collins had been
...r life. Jane Austen’s time and nowadays sees the same situation. Not all marriage is based solely on love. As shallow as it might sounds, when considering marriage, most, if not all people, consider wealth and the reputation of their partner. The norms of Jane Austen’s time in relations to wealth, reputation and marriage are much more elaborated by each individual's upbringing.
Love and Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813 during the Regency period. From a woman’s point of view, marriage was seen as “the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune”. Marriage was seen as the only way of securing a home and a decent living. If a woman wasn’t married she would have the life of a spinster, and depend upon a family who may not always support her. The only other choice was to become a governess, where once again a woman would be dependent on a family.
Charlotte Lucas, one of the secondary characters in 'Pride and Prejudice', focuses on a different view of marriage, much unlike Elizabeth's and Wickham's. Charlotte asks for a comfortable home in marriage, which explains why she married to Mr. Collins, stating, 'I ask only a comfortable home, and considering Mr. Collin's character and situation in life…' This quote explains the reason of Charlotte's views towards marriage, because she wants to be secure in where she lives and what she is doing. As well as this, Charlotte hopes to be secure in society and shares a somewhat similar view of Wic...
single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Marriage serves to unite two people, and although it can bring joy and happiness to those who marry for true love, it can be an inescapable burden to those who marry for wealth and status. Many times, struggles with societal influences and family names impact decisions in matrimony. The novel Pride and Prejudice provides a great contrast between couples who seek out marriage for the right and wrong reasons. Some characters, such as Elizabeth, find great harmony and happiness in their choice of partner, while others, such as Charlotte and Lydia will reap the consequences for marrying for monetary value and status their whole lives.