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In Jane Austen s Pride and Prejudice the most important topic to theme and character development throughout the novel is that of courtship and marriage. From the very first chapter; the very first line, in fact, you see that this is a novel about the surmounting obstacles of courtship and the levels of difficulty in achieving romantic happiness, for it is well-stated that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a good wife. (1) As one of the most famous lines in literature it immediately establishes the centrality of marriage to the novel. This is done first by introducing Mr. Bingley, an event that sets the novel in motion; second, by its implication that the real truth is the opposite that a single woman is in want of a wealthy husband.
Marriage in Pride and Prejudice is a means of survival in an economy-based environment. It is the playing card by which all single women hope to score big and settle down with their winnings. The Bennett s are a perfect example of the institute of marriage that is exemplified in most every case of Pride and Prejudice. They married for the most noble of reasons in their time. Mrs. Bennett whose only purpose in life seems to be to find husbands for her daughters, and Mr.
Bennett whose marriage to her is explained as him having been, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humor which youth and beauty generally give resulting in his marriage to a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her (176). It can be best stated that the two of them merged for security and social climbing in the same way AOL and Time Warner have merged as corporations to improve their own individual worth. They are each others social game pieces with which they manipulate society. Mr. Bennett has a wife and family which gives him an appearance of stability and Mrs. Bennett has a husband to help her in her endeavors to marry off her daughters to prosperous men.
Mr. Collins appearance in the book and his eventual marriage to Charlotte Lucas is the quintessential marriage of material benefits. Charlotte Lucas is not in love with Mr. Collins and his disregard for that fact shows he is not striving for perfection in marriage either.
They are wed merely because they had no other opportunities and it is socially unacceptable to remain unwed and remain in high society. Charlotte s ability to settle is not unique, but is very clearly explained through her own dialogue. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state. (95) Her attitude is optimistic but in no time at all it is evident at least to Elizabeth that Charlotte s situation at Rosings is dismal but only what was expected from such a relationship.
The two characters that inspire hope even in satire are Elizabeth and Jane. They are the romantics that search for more in marriage than just a last name, comfort and a nice home to settle into mediocrity in. Jane s virtue and idealism make her success in marriage imminent, but Elizabeth s is only half eluded to in her close relationship with her aunt and uncle who enjoy a genuinely happy marriage and her likeness in conduct to her aunt. Elizabeth s likelihood of marital success seems very realistic in comparison to other marriages within Pride and Prejudice less Jane and Bingley s. The only real indication that they may have settled is Elizabeth s hesitance to refer to refer to Darcy as her love, or anything more than the object of her choice. The ideal marriage is that of Jane and Bingley.
They are what all others wish to attain. They are of similar character and play well off of each others personalities. They are not settling for less that love and they genuinely seem to enjoy each others company. Mr. Bennett said it best in a congratulations of sorts. I have not a doubt of your doing well together.
Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying that nothing will ever be resolved on; so that every servant will cheat you; and so generous that you will always exceed your income. Mr. Bennett sees in his daughter and her new husband a potentially wonderful marriage and his idea that this could mean financial downfall is humorous. He gives light to the thought that you can only have financial or marital success, and you must chose one and only one and enjoy it without the other. This is a pessimistic and satirical opinion on British marriages in the 1800 s that finds its way through the entire novel.
In Pride and Prejudice you see the over dramatization of nineteenth century British marriages. It is sad to think that so many women carried on like this for so long, in search not of love, but of society and status. The story leaves you feeling happiness for the marriage of Jane and Bingley because they are truly meant to be together and sadness for most all the other s because it is apparent that it is not impossible to achieve success in marriage. It is just certain that you must be of high moral fiber and not looking to settle on the first successful man to walk into your life without care of how devout of compatibility for partnership in marriage he is. The only marriage left unresolved as to whether is was a success or not is that of Elizabeth and Darcy. There is question whether or not they take after Elizabeth s aunt and uncle or her mother and father.
They symbolize the typical American marriage. It is far from settling but at the same time not ideal and it is clear that they have less than the most pure of ambitions for marriage. 33 a
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Research essay sample on Pride And Prejudice Jane And Bingley
