Pride And Prejudice :: essays research papers

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen is a novel that goes into great detail discussing the reasons for marriage. Marriage in the 1800s, when this novel took place, was real different from conventional marriages today. In that period in time, reasons for marriages were wealth, convenience, and most uncommonly, love.The first of these reasons is the subject of wealth. The opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice states, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." In the 19th century, women usually only wanted to marry men if they were rich. This was the guys way of getting a wife, if they were fortunate enough. As Mrs. Bennet says, "If I set up memorize one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfieldand the others equally married, I shall have nothing to wish for." One easily realizes how obsessed Mrs. Bennet is with having rich son-in-laws. all in all that matters to her is having her daugh ters married to wealthy men. This one concern was not scarce in the era.The second of the three reasons is convenience. Charlotte Lucas says it best "I only ask a favorable home and considering Mr. Collins character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast" Collins isnt wealthy, but all that Charlotte wants, he can give her. This marriage is by far the most convenient of the novel. Another great event of a marriage of convenience is Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. This convenient marriage is not as easily seen, though one notices how formal they are with each other. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet dont reckon to like each other at all. This seems to be very far from Jane Austens view of marriage, though.The third reason for marriage is love. Although a marriage brought about by love was very uncommon at this time, Jane Austen believed it was the only true reason. Elizabeth Bennet was Jane Austens "mouthpiece " regarding this. Austen showed her new fangled views of marriage though the character of Lizzie. A prime slip of marrying for the reason of love is Jane and Mr. Bingley. These two characters were attracted to each other from the very beginning, and are the only characters in the novel that truly married out of a costly love for each other.