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The Culture And Tradition Values In Marriage
Gender roles in literature
The theme of marriage in the Jane Austen novel
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Mr. Darcy says, “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment” (Austen). In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, the characters have different views on marriage and reasons for marriage. Most everyone in this time period believed that they should marry for money because that was just how their society worked at the time. Some, however, like Elizabeth, believed that one should only marry for love and nothing less. These two differences play a major role in the novel because of the difference from today’s society. Also, the differences help the reader to determine the right and wrongs on the topic of marriage. This paper will discuss how some married for money, how some married …show more content…
In that day and time, one was supposed to think that. Every woman should only wish to marry someone with more money than her family has, and if you happened to fall in love then it was just luck. Woman were not supposed to wait for love before they marry. For men, they just needed to find a wife, and if they had money that was just a bonus. “...a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in search of a wife” (Austen). This statement suggests that a single man must be searching for a wife to share his fortune with, not his love and affection. Even though most people believe in marrying for money, there are some that believe …show more content…
The roles of each character accentuates the comparison of the differences in beliefs. “The mother's sole purpose is to get their daughters married” (Austen). This quote shows that no matter what the daughters beliefs were, it was the mother's job to make sure the girls were married and did not become an old maid. When Jane was invited to dine with the Bingley’s, her mother made sure that she would have enough time to spend with Mr. Bingley. “You must go on horseback. It is supposed to rain so you will have to stay all night” (Austen). Mrs. Bennett says this after Jane has asked to use the carriage. Mrs. Bennett knows that Jane may get sick but states “no one dies from a fever” (Austen). Even though her daughter may get sick, she still sends her on horseback in the rain for the purpose that Jane will have to stay the night and possibly make Mr. Bingley want to marry her. This situation very vividly shows how the parents believe in the topic of
Most women, till this day seek to marry men with money, In order to live a life of stature. One would rather stay at home and raise children than work and sustain themselves. In The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, in the eyes of women, the same ideals persevere to this day. That "Smart women marry rich".Mrs. Bennet 's sole purpose in life is to marry off her five daughters; Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary and Kitty.Through all the trials and tribulations shown through the characters, Austen clearly shows that marriage should be a combination of passion and reason.
man with a fortune must be in want of a wife'. The social destiny of
In Pride and Prejudice, a novel written by Jane Austen, the role of wealth and reputation is a partnership that leads to marriage, but in most (if not all) cases have little to do with love. The most propelling conflict in Pride and Prejudice is, “The morally significant conflict between pride and vanity” (Pride). Vanity is connected to wealth; therefore wealth is a poor choice to consider opposed to love. The role that reputation and wealth play when it comes to love is limited due to human pride and vanity. “The meaning of “pride” and “prejudice” acquire are related to the central theme of all of Jane Austen’s novels: the limitations of human vision” (Pride). In Austen’s time the inability to see past wealth when considering marriage is a cultural tie to the era and its norms. It’s a pitiable and vain cultural upbringing that is frowned upon in this century. One does not simply marry for the sake of wealth and reputation. Without love, marriage cannot last. It ends in a deadlock or with two people living together but leading separate lives behind closed doors.
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.
In the short story “If I Were a Man” one of the male characters states; “we are always criticizing them for making mercenary marriages, but what do we call a girl who marries a chump with no money? Just a poor fool, that's all.” Women are supposed to be taken care of financially because they are to marry for money. It is apparent that the women who did not marry for money are simply stupid and looked down upon. Women were to be in the house taking care of their families or socializing with others to promote business in their husband's life and had no freedom when it came to objecting to it. Edna’s sphere of concern was caring for their home, socializing , and caring for her family, so in the beginning when she was the ideal women of her time. The ideal woman was frail and graceful, they ever so desperately needed a man to save her from the harsh world. “If I Were a Man” states; “In the upper half were the tenderest emotions, the most exquisite ideals, the sweetest memories, all lovely sentiments as to "home" and "mother," all delicate admiring adjectives, a sort of sanctuary, where a veiled statue, blindly adored, shared place with beloved yet commonplace experiences.” Men were to be nothing but husky and strong, they could not show any signs of tenderness or “feminine” traits. They were all supposed to be financially stable and want
The novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen gives us the reader a very good idea of how she views marriage, as well as society. The theme of marriage is set in the very opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice; "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (Austen, 1) As Norman Sherry points out, this is Austen's way of implying that 'a single man in possession of a good fortune' is automatically destined to be the object of desire for all unmarried women. The statement opens the subject of the romantic novel; courtship and marriage. The sentence also introduces the issue of what the reasons for marrying are. She implies here that many young women marry for money. The question...
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.
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.
True love is not found within the goals of economic survival or societal gains, rather it is found when two individuals unite in marriage because they have a genuine affection for each other. In her novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen depicts what love in a traditional Victorian era would be defined as. Austen displays love as the center of attention for all of society, along with the influences society has on it. Through various characters, such as Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet, Austen demonstrates how money and status can largely shape love and the idea of who to love. Yet, with the characters of Jane and Bingley, Austen conveys, in the end, that true love results not from economic necessity or societal gains, but from a sincere affection.
[Abstract] Pride and prejudice is a very popular novel written by Jane Austen and it is read widely all over the world. It was written in 1813. That specific history time decided that people at that time took money much more seriously, even on their marriage. In this paper, the marriage cases of most characters in the book were taken as typical to analyze how money influenced their matrimonial value orientation.
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, 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
In the 19th century, a controversy arose over what the true foundation and purpose for marriage should be. The basis of this conflict was whether one should let reason or emotion be the guide of their love life and if a balance between the two could be maintained. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy in Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice depicts such a balance, thus becoming the model for Austen's definition of a perfect couple and for true love. Their relationship is neither solely based on a quest for money on Elizabeth's part or emotions that blind the couple from all other important aspects of life. The significance of having this balance is portrayed through the inability of the other couples in the story to reach an equal amount of happiness as Elizabeth and Darcy because of their pursuit of either reason or passion.
Throughout the book, Samuel Richardson makes implications that men should choose their wives not for their money or social standing, but for their virtue. He then makes another shocking suggestion
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.”