What Makes a Good Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudicde

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What makes a good marriage? Comprise, love, sacrifice, and humbleness are some of the words able to describe the factors of a good marriageJane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a light-hearted novel that follows the love story of two very different characters: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. They are so blinded by their opinions of each other that they do not realize that they are very good for one another. Throughout the novel, they overcome their errors in judgment to leave the reader with the anticipation of their matrimony. Pride and Prejudice includes examples of both good and bad marriages to measure against the prospects of success for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s union. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have their weaknesses, as seen with Elizabeth and her prejudice, and Darcy with his pride; but together, they realize their faults and, because they have been able to better themselves, they form a happy union.
Elizabeth forms a prejudice against Darcy near the start of the book and it continues to grow until he proves her otherwise. When Darcy unexpectedly proposes to Elizabeth, she proceeds to turn him down and list irrelevant reasons as to why he is not suitable to her. “‘But it is not merely this affair,’ she continued, ‘on which my dislike is founded. Long before it had taken place, my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham’” (Austen 126-127). Prejudice is when someone makes a judgment without first knowing the truth about a person, or group of people. Elizabeth shows prejudice towards Darcy with every comment she makes. Her opinion is based on secondhand knowledge and a rather horrible first impression. None of the insights to his character actually c...

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...rcy have negative first impressions of each other, but they each learn from the other and humble themselves. Elizabeth bases all of her judgments against Mr. Darcy on what other people have let her know of his character. He also lets his sheltered upbringing obscure his idea of what really matters and it creates a certain difficulty with his emotions for Elizabeth. Together, they help each other to realize their faults and the book ends in the expectation of their marriage. The two main characters are both able to connect with the modern generation of today. Their romance paves the way to young women today. They look up to Elizabeth because of her ability to speak her mind. Darcy also portrays an image of what adolescents girls believe their husband should be like. Both Darcy and Elizabeth showcase many traits that allow them to have a successful and happy marriage.

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