The unsuccessful defines the successful. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen paints the lifestyle of the nineteenth century elite, emphasizing the continual struggle to find financial prosperity and matrimonial success. After witnessing shortcomings in several of these matches, Elizabeth, the headstrong Bennet daughter, unearths the formula for a lasting marriage. Austen includes the unfavorable marriage of Charlotte Lucas and the independence of Mary Bennet to convey companionship as the definition of a happy marriage, tying into modern twenty-first century marriages in order to promote the liberty of the individual within these relationships.
Austen juxtaposes the nineteenth century definition of a happy marriage with the opportunistic match of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. Charlotte, a quiet but clandestine young woman, marries Mr. Collins, a hubris gentleman, purely for the opportunity of the moment. She quickly consents to his proposal despite their being intimately unacquainted. Every aspect of their pairing is part of a calculated plan formed by society, binding these two people together for the sole purpose of the image it will portray over the town. However, Austen makes it evident Charlotte is equally aware of her motives towards the marriage, as she commits to Mr. Collins for her “disinterested desire of gaining an establishment” (Austen 97). The potential for property and financial freedom clouts all other reason for marriage and leaves Charlotte blindly accepting his offer, even though her prospect of future happiness remains inauspicious. Austen is giving the stereotypical version of the nineteenth century marriage; it is one of marrying for the prospect of higher societal grounds, and it becomes a pure “want o...
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...st in the midst of misery. It is possible to attain this status, yet it must be by the companionship of two people alongside the glorification of the individual. The individual must be content in order for the couple as a whole to function properly. People must avoid the sacrifice of personal identity in exchange for an image, averting the chance of becoming a victim of this irreparable system. The uniting of Charlotte and Mr. Collins provide the negative alternative resulting from marriages of selfish motives. In addition, the progressive attitude of Mary Bennet allows the conclusion that marriage is not an alternative to destitution, and that it is rather a decision made by the free thought and liberty to choose marital status. Even though a happy marriage is unconfined to one distinct category, it must resemble the true happiness of the two individuals involved.
In Chapter 2, Charlotte thinks that happiness can happen only by chance since you do not have an opinion of who you are to be married to. Marriage in this society is a means of financial stability and that is more important than love or happiness. Elizabeth, however, believes that love is very important. In Chapter 22, Charlotte marries Mr. Collins because she believes this is her last chance to be married and have a home of her own. Under the difficult circumstances, she feels she has made a right choice because she is a burden to her family and marrying someone like Mr. Collins, who has money shows that she is most likely to move up in a social class. Charlotte, who is in her late twenties, points out that she is not as pretty as many of her friends; in addition, she has not received any other marriage offers. If she stays with her parents, she will be both an emotional burden and a financial strain. She recognizes Mr. Collins as a man who, who has a comical personality, will provide her with a safe home and security. Charlotte considers the proposal to be the best deal she can get and she knows that marriage is her only option to watch a hard
“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.” Heart. Feelings. Trust. All of these concepts said by Carl W. Buechner are philosophies that are spoken of freely in the twenty-first century, where love is limitless and marriage is bound by no restraints. A rich man can easily fall in love with his maid. A poor couple can just as effortlessly run off and get married. However, during the turn of the nineteenth century, this was regarded as foolish, even outrageous. Marriage was for stability, for financial reliability. Love or the “heart” was not at all a necessity, nor even a component to the formula. Happiness in marriage was simply a rare bonus. But Jane Austen proves this contrary in her novel Pride and Prejudice. Her protagonist, Elizabeth, defies the social norm of acquiring a husband for the mere sake of security and instead looks for love. But Elizabeth is no weak, romanticized girl. Her “modern” outlook leads her ultimately to success. Other characters like Charlotte or Lydia will have lukewarm or cold marriages because there were no true feelings of love or even affection; thus, though financial stability is present in Charlotte’s case, there is no intrinsic relationship stability. With this in mind, Austen’s characters’ wide-ranging attributes indicate a wide spectrum of possible relationship developments, but the “happiest” marriage is exemplified in Elizabeth’s because hers is illuminated by full knowledge and mutual love, equating to a secure relationship.
“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of” (Austen). The bluntness of this quote fully encompasses the main theme of an advantageous marriage for the English novelist, Jane Austen. Her realism, biting irony and social commentary have gained her historical importance among scholars and critics (Southam). Austen’s major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, were composed between the years 1795-1815. During those twenty years England was at the height of its power facing many historical landmarks (Thomson). It is no coincidence that Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, coincides directly with the historical events of this time period.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to love and marriage is the focal point of the narrative. But, the lesser known source of richness in Austen’s writing comes from her complex themes the well-developed minor characters. A closer examination of Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s dear friend in Pride and Prejudice, shows that while she did not take up a large amount of space in the narrative, her impact was great. Charlotte’s unfortunate circumstances in the marriage market make her a foil to Elizabeth, who has the power of choice and refusal when it comes to deciding who will be her husband. By focusing on Charlotte’s age and lack of beauty, Austen emphasizes how ridiculous and cruel marriage can be in this time.
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.
The path to marriage initiates in the very first paragraph of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This courtship novel begins with the premise that “a single man in possession of a fortune must be in want of a wife” (pg. 5) Throughout the competition for the single men, characters are naturally divided by the norms of their social standing. However, the use of social conventions and civility further divides them. The characters in need of the most moral reform remain unchanged, leaving a path for the reformers to travel to each other’s company. Austen uses the stagnant characters and their flaws as a line that needs to cross in order to achieve a dynamic marriage of mutual respect.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s famous novel, is, in large part, a study of marriage. It is an interesting novel for Austen since she was never married. The social culture of Austen’s day made marriage a crucial aspect of a woman 's life. A women in that time was dependent on a man for money and social standing. Synonyms for marriage are union and alliance both have very different meanings. Marriage as a union implies a fully joined couple. A marital alliance suggests that marriage is an association for mutual benefit such as money, social standing, or physical desires. Austen 's characters are developed to emphasize these differences in the reasons for marriage. She makes abundantly clear through her development of these marriages
Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is well noted for its ability to question social norms. Most importantly, Austen explores the institution of marriage, as it was in her time, a time where many married for security rather than love. Her characters Elizabeth and Charlotte are renowned even more for their outspoken nature and different views on marriage. Though both Elizabeth and Charlotte yearn for a happy marriage, Charlotte has a more pragmatic and mundane approach while Elizabeth is more romantic and daring with her actions. Through the romantic involvements of both Elizabeth and Charlotte, Austen shows that happiness in marriage is not entirely a matter of chance, but is instead contingent on an accurate evaluation of self and others
It is not unusual for an individual to disagree with social customs or expectations. Some people are only happy when they can rebel against society. Most mature adults eventually realize that compromise is necessary to achieve happiness. This is the case in the early nineteenth century England setting of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. In the novel, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a lively, independent woman, whose family's financial situation and whose strong mindedness suggest that she may never marry. Mr. Darcy, is a rigid and proper man, who falls in love with Elizabeth, despite their differences. By the end of the novel, Elizabeth and Darcy learn to compromise, and, in doing so, become truly happy. In marrying, they not only fulfill themselves as individuals, but also affirm the principle values of society. The marriage at the end of the novel shows Jane Austen's ideal view of marriage as a social institution.
In Jane Austen’s Emma, an emphasis is placed on the importance of female friendships. In particular, Austen places a great deal of emphasis on how Emma treats the women she calls her friends. In many ways, Emma manipulates the people in her life to fit her specific expectations for them. This can be seen in her matchmaking, especially Harriet’s relationship with Mr. Martin. Emma’s manipulation of various relationships serves as a way to control the friendships she has with the women in her life. By matching her friends with the men she has chosen for them, Emma can not only elevate their status but also keep these women in her life as well. It is only when her friendships are affected by marriage that Emma re-evaluates the role of marriage in her own life.
In 1813, a woman’s main goal was marriage. Females wanted to find a man who could provide for them and take care of them; not all women wanted love. Many were fine with living on a wealthy estate and living in an upper-class manner. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a novel about the Bennet sisters, five girls whom, in the time of 1813, are all unmarried and are looking for husbands. The central conflict is based around two young women, the eldest of the five Bennet daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. The girls have their similarities and differences, and can be compared and contrasted in many ways; in terms of which is stronger at handling the pressure of relationships, context clues give a valid answer. What the reader must interpret for his
Jane Austen’s famous novel Pride and Prejudice promotes change in the way the English society during the 19th century viewed marriage. Through the use of conservative characters that were socially accepted in England during this time, Austen provides the reader with necessary details that show how insane these people were. On the other hand, Austen gives her dissentient characters more credit for their rebellious deeds. Austen’s campaign against social prejudice seems to succeed when Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy for love rather than money.
Pride and Prejudice is the most enduringly popular novel written by Jane Austen. It talks about trivial matters of love, marriage and family life between country squires and fair ladies in Britain in the 18th century. The plot is very simple. That is how the young ladies choose their husbands. Someone said that "Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel, flatly rejected William Collins' proposal, who is the heir of her father's property and manor, and refused the first proposal from the extremely wealthy nobleman Fitzwilliam Darcy later,"(1) all this makes it clear that Elizabeth "seeks no fame nor fortune, but self-improvement and high mental outlook."(1) It's right. From the view point of Austen, Elizabeth's marriage, who finally marries Darcy, as well as Jane-Bingley's, composing money and love, is the ideal marriage people should after. But in other marriage cases in this novel, we can see that if money and love can't be held together in one marriage, love would always make a concession to money because of the special social background. After reading through the whole book, we will find that money acts as the cause of each plot and the clue of its development. It affects everybody's words and deeds, even Elizabeth Bennet. Tony Tanner once said, "Jane Austen, as well as other authors, is very clear that no feeling could be extremely pure and no motive could be definitely single. But as long as it is possible, we should make it clear that which feeling or motive plays the leading role." (2)