Austen’s view on the matter is subtly summarised by her opening of the novel:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want if a wife"
The fact that she begins the novel with mention of marriage already shows that she finds marriage important, as she bases the novel upon this notion that marriage is fixated upon “good fortune” and economic and financial welfare. Very humorous and satirical indeed, but there is an underlying truth which questions the basis of marriage in Austen’s society when compared to what marriage should be based upon – love. Her mockery of her society’s beliefs on marriage shows her little respect for it. This portrayal of marriage based on money is strongly enforced by the close-minded, ignorant nature of Mrs Bennet. When Mrs Bennet talks of “A single man of a large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!” (pg. 6) she is mainly focused upon the money the girls will have if marriage with ensue, furthermore, she refers the gentleman as a “thing” rather than a more personified object – this detachment illustrates Austen’s view that marriage in the society is flawed and detached from true, emotional human feeling.
Another such character who promotes this attitude of marriage being based upon economic and financial reasons, is Mr. Collins, the first example of Mr. Collins act to marry for economical reasons is when he proposes to Elizabeth clearly shown by how he says “I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife among his daughters” (pg. 104) The second example is with he asking Charlotte to marry him, Charlotte very cleverly did this to be economically secured in life which was done very commonly this is shown by when it is described in the book how she started to plan how many years Mr. Bennett would be alive till Mr. Collins could inherit the estate. Jane Austen’s opinion on this topic is that she does not view it as a thing she would want to do but at times such as expressed through Charlotte you have to be realistic and take into account your economic situation because it was seldom to marry a rich man of a much higher class than your own – even if he is such a man as Mr Collins.
Moving along from the economical pressure into marriage is the even worse pressure of respect and dignity within a society. Taking Lydia and Wickham as an example – they had eloped and brought shame upon themselves and their household, so the only way to gain some of their dignity back was through marriage. This type of marriage, as opposed to the economic and difference is social class, actually forces the bride and groom into marriage if they did not wish to lose all pride. Austen of course is completely against this and this is shown by her using of the character Lydia to portray a shameless, stupid, silly little girl – who is the wife, and the worthless Mr Wickham. Furthermore, in chapter 50 we are brought to dislike this type of marriage further through the perspective of Lizzy as she questions – and really Austen questions and forces the reader question – if they will maintain “permanent happiness” which altogether looks bleak.
Austen does believe in fairy-tale, happy marriages, as shown by Jane and Bingley, and Lizzy and Darcy. Although they attain happiness in their marriage – as opposed to the aforementioned marriages – these two marriages are also singular because they are two happy couplings from completely different social status. This is quite a radical movement on Austen’s part because it would have been frowned upon when two people from different social statures came together in marriage; however, Austen does it here with ease and this shows that she thinks that the status border should be taken away, which further enforces her view on marriage as a symbol of true love, therefore it should stem from true love and not any other reason.
Overall, Austen reveals within the novel that she believes marriage to be a romantic like procedure, but at the same time, a contract like binding which binds two financial and economic aids. It is clear that she despises forced marriages or marriages to escape some horrible outcome. Austen also makes clear that forced marriages cannot stay happy forever, as Lydia had to keep asking Lizzy for money coming towards the end – it seems the only two really happy newlyweds is Jane and Elizabeth.
Even relating to today’s world, marriage is still a very traditional sort of procedure and therefore contains many traditional thoughts. It is still seen as undignified to elope – even if it can be seen as romantic – it is still slightly frowned upon to marry outside your social class in some societies and cultures, and it is still meant to focus on true love. Considering the social class, it now even relates to marrying outside your race, culture, religion and nationalities. However, women now have many more rights than in the 19th century, and because of this, women are now able to decide upon their own marriage freely, they can inherit now, so no pressure upon them financially, most marriages are accepted now – as it is under the eye of God – and most importantly, the marriage must be founded and grow upon true love, which Austen would have truly loved to believe in.
