The Role Of Marriage In Pride And Prejudice

1052 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Marriage in the 18th century

The novel, Pride and Prejudice, revolves around relationships and the attitudes towards marriage of different characters. Each couple in the story has a different motive for their marriage. In the Regency Era that the novel was written, it was typical for a woman to marry a man for money or social status. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Lydia and Mr. Wickham, and Charlotte and Mr. Collins are five of the couples in the novel that all married for various reasons. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have four daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, that are all on the search for a husband. Mrs. Bennet wants her daughters to marry rich men with high social status’. The marriage between the Bennets is not one of love, instead Mrs. Bennet married Mr. Bennet because of his social status and sense of security. It is evident that their marriage is not one of love because they both revolve their time around anything other than each other. Mrs. Bennet lives vicariously through her daughters and is constantly on the search for a suitable man for them. …show more content…

Wickham, before their marriage the two of them ran away together with no intentions of marriage while Wickham was stationed in Brighton and Lydia was staying near by. Lydia had no understanding that her actions were very shameful to her family. When Mr. Darcy finally found Lydia and Mr. Wickham he convinced them to elope and he paid off all of Wickham’s debt and paid Lydia’s dowry. The marriage between them is certainly not a marriage out of love, but more of a marriage out of obligation, and money. Wickham has a past of being a gold digger and almost tricked Mr. Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana into marriage because of her large inheritance, and he also pursued Miss Mary King because of her wealth. Lydia is very attracted to all of the officers and she is very young and immature, so she was excited to have a

Show More
Related

  • Elizabeth Bennett Pride And Prejudice Analysis

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    Darcy, the illusion that Mr. Wickham had built surrounding himself was now shattered: “How different did everything appear in which he was concerned.” Elizabeth now realizes her mistakes, which her prejudice was built and hopefully will never fall for such deceit again. Mr. Darcy is not the only one who is haughty, Elizabeth’s pride takes a massive blow after reading the letter, “she grew absolutely ashamed.” Realizing her mistakes will make Elizabeth grow as a person as she realizes how despicable she was, and has learned from her mistakes. Elizabeth had always thought she had the perfect judgement, but in fact she was horribly blind: “Till this moment I never knew myself.” Elizabeth now sees that she has flaws and it got in the way of her judgement rendering it blind. It is in maturity that people see their flaws; now Elizabeth has to make sure the same mistakes does not happen again. It was only after her prejudice of Mr. Darcy was finally gone that Elizabeth realized her true feelings towards him: “She explained what it’s [the letter] effect on her had been, and how gradually all her former prejudice has been removed.” After reading the letter, Elizabeth was able to realize her flaws as a character and grow into maturity and because of that she was able to see her true feelings about Mr.

    Read More

  • Scene Analysis in Pride and Prejudice

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    These accusations led mr.darcy to write the letter that spurred elizabeth's judgment of herself. In the letter, mr.darcy reveals that the real dispute between wickham and himself came from the fact that their wickham had attempted to marry darcy's sister and she had refused. And as for Jane and mr.bingley's issue, he believed he had done it for the best interest of mr.bingley.

    Read More

  • Infatuation Of Marriage In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since Wickham is not wealthy, he tries to take advantage of this situation. He agrees to marry Lydia as long as his debts are paid off and if he continues to receive money from Darcy. Just like Mr. And Mrs. Bennet 's marriage, their “passion” dies out very quickly. “His affection for her soon sank into indifference...hers lasted a little longer...” True love never dies. Lydia is too young to understand Wickham and his schemes because she is blinded by the infatuation she has for him. Their marriage is an example of an unsucessful marriage.

    Read More

  • Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    Mr Mrs. Bennet is the parents of five unwed daughters. Mr. And Mrs. Bennet has conflicting thoughts about the arrival of the rich neighbors. Mr. Bennet thinks nothing of it. He has no new thoughts about the arrival. by Bingley and Darcy.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Mr Wickham And Darcy

    1961 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wickham makes it so he will only marry Lydia for money, as he had intended to do with any nuptial. In order to persuade Wickham to wed, Darcy pays Wickham’s debts “amounting…to considerably more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition” to settle with Lydia and Darcy also purchases Wickham’s commission (Austen 217). Darcy pays for Lydia and Wickham’s entire wedding, after paying Wickham’s debts and paying off Wickham to marry. Darcy’s character is enforced by the fact that he makes it so the two wed. He is involved with all of the finances and duties surrounding their wedding until they are officially wed; he goes as far as standing at their wedding, to ensure Wickham follows

    Read More

  • Social Norms in Jane Austen´s Pride and Prejudice

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    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 Elizabeth’s view on Jane and Bingely’s relationship is more hopeful, while Charlotte possesses a more aggressive view.

    Read More

  • Compromise and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

    1934 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Elizabeth And The Bennet Sisters

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    She is the most beautiful of all her sisters and is a very sweet girl. If not for her kind personality, her character would be rather boring, seen as more of a dramatic individual who is irritating and hard to root for. She sees the best in people, too the point of naivety; this is precisely her problem. While it is a flattering trait of hers, Jane is actually quite oblivious to the real qualities of many of the people she encounters. As Elizabeth says, “she never sees a fault in anyone”. For example, up through the first thirty chapters of the book, Jane is the only one who refuses to believe that Mr. Darcy is a self-entitled, high standard wanting, elitist fiend. She insists that he is a good man who has deeper qualities than anyone cares to admit. Meanwhile, Darcy says that she “smiles to much”. Another example of her naivety is when she finally accepts that Miss Bingley is trying to separate her from Mr. Bingley, as insisted by Elizabeth. Upon reflection of the matter, she states, "I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me; but if the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again". She even admits it! She is sweet, but she is a little blind. Her sister Elizabeth, on the other hand, is much more witty. She is beautiful, kind, smart, and not so oblivious. Of the sisters, she is the most sensible and

    Read More

  • Pride and Prejudice: Social Class

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mrs. Bennet attempts to marry off her daughters to the best possible men. This was recognised by everyone and she often appeared to embarrass her daughters whenever she spoke. In her eyes the men she wanted for her daughters were wealthy, socially powerful and polite men. The idea that her daughters should marry for gain in material aspects of life was much more important for Mrs. Bennet than for her daughters to marry someone they were in love with. She believed that the family should organize the arrangement, seeing as the young girls are under the care of the family. Mrs. Bennet believes "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Therefore, she be...

    Read More

  • Marriage in Pride and Prejudice and in Jane Eyre

    630 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most of the novels we read involve marriages .Discuss the dialectics involved in the marriage of Pride and Prejudice and another novel of your choice.

    Read More

  • Plot Overview: 'Pride and Prejudice'

    369 Words  | 1 Pages

    Because Elizabeth frequently visits her friend Charlotte, who lives with Darcy's aunt, she sees Darcy often. Darcy beings to ask Elizabeth to marry him, but each time she refuses. She's angry at him for breaking up Jane and Bingley's love affair, and because she was led to believe he stole George Wickham's inheritance. Darcy admitted to interfering with her sisters' relationship, but denies any involvement with Wickham and his inheritence. He claims Wickham is not what he appears to be, but actually is a dishonest.

    Read More

  • The Matrimonial Value Orientation in Pride and Prejudice

    3803 Words  | 8 Pages

    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)

    Read More

  • relationships in pride and prejudice

    1463 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, several, if not all of her characters, can confirm the belief that in order to achieve happiness one must discard their pride and in turn, replace it with self-respect accompanied by some humility. In addition, acceptance and mutual respect must replace one’s prejudice. The novel reveals four couples that live through social inconviences. The setting, although the novel does take place in many different places, is mainly broadcasted from Longbourn, somewhere in England. It is set around the Bennet family, which consists of seven members. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and their five daughters which of whom none are yet married. At this period in time, marriage was based a great deal upon money and reputation, not so much love and trust. When a single man entered town, he was called upon only if his financial situation was above normal. Marriage was based around land, family connections, and wealth. In many minor characters of the novel, pride is a common characteristic. Mrs. Bennet, for instance, is extremely proud when it comes to her daughter’s marriages of mercenary benefits. She is so concerned that her neighbors have a high opinion of her that her own vanity will not

    Read More

  • Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice The novel 'Pride and Prejudice', written by Jane Austin, tells the story of a man, his five daughters, and his wife whose sole purpose in life is to marry off her daughters to 'suitable' men. Her eldest daughter, Jane is her most prized daughter. Mrs. Bennet is assured that Jane's beauty and meticulous manners will win her a high-quality husband who may be able to support not just Jane, but her other sisters as well. The story is told by the second daughter, Elizabeth.

    Read More

  • Essay on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's Parenting in Pride and Prejudice

    1483 Words  | 3 Pages

    The constant topic among the majority of the women in the Bennet household was marriage and future suitors. Mrs. Bennet prides in the hope that someday all her daughters will be married off to wealthy individuals who can even help support the Bennet family and increase their social status: “The business of her life was to get her daughters married...” (9). Mr. Bennet, on the other hand, only cares to see his daughters happy and content with themselves. Although Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s estate is endowed to Mr. Collins, Mr. Benn...

    Read More

More about The Role Of Marriage In Pride And Prejudice

Open Document