Different characters in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ clearly have different views on marriage and relationships. Elizabeth’s attitude is considerably different to that of her best friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte believes that marriage should be used as a means of securing a stable future with a man of good status and income. This she found in Mr Collins. “I am not a 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 is as fair, as most can boast on entering a marriage state.” Charlotte is saying that she is not marrying Mr Collins for love but merely for a secure future for herself. By marrying Mr Collins, Charlotte will also move into Longbourn on the death of Mr Bennet. Elizabeth, on the other hand believes that marriage should be formed only because of love. This is shown when she is describing her ideal man, “Sensible, good humoured, lively, …he is also handsome.” This shows how different her views on marriage are when compared with Charlotte.
Mrs Bennet’s relationship appears to be happy although Mr Bennet is not. He often uses sarcasm to undermine his wife and to show her lack of intelligence although she does not realise it. Most of Mr Bennet’s time is also spent in his study. This shows that he would rather not be around her. Because in the early 19th century it was seen as a scandal for a married couple to separate, and for the future prospects for their daughters, this could explain why they stay together. Mr Bennet may have married for looks and not intelligence and now once her looks have faded he is left with an unintelligent woman. This can be shown when Austen reveals, “Her father captivated by youth and beauty and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give had married a women whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in the marriage put an end to all real affection to her.”
Both Mr and Mrs Bennet use their children as a means of disagreement and a tool for arguments. Mrs Bennet is clearly prejudiced as she often shows her favour towards Jane over the rest of the daughters which seems to be because she is the most beautiful out of the children, like herself when younger. She believes that Jane has the best odds on securing a well respected man of large fortune. Mr Bennet however prefers Elizabeth out of all the daughters. Her wit and intelligence is a feature which he respects which could be because of his own mistake in marrying a woman of the wrong personal qualities. Elizabeth is quite different to her mother, who does not share the same attributes. “I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzie” This shows that Mr Bennet believes Elizabeth will have a greater chance of wooing a gentleman because of her wit.
Once all prejudices are clear, I think that Elizabeth and Darcy are likely to have a happy marriage. Both have wit and intelligence and share the same views, often engaging in intelligent conversations. Elizabeth is marrying Darcy for love although money would also help to secure a happy future. Darcy is also marrying for love. The Bennets have little money and connections although he still wants to marry her. This shows how he is willing to overlook her position in society for love. For these reasons this marriage is likely to be a success.
I also believe that Jane’s marriage to Mr Bingley will be a successful one. This is because this marriage has been formed for the right reasons. Mr Bingley is clearly in love with Jane as her family have nothing more to offer him as they have no good connections within society and little money. Jane stayed in London in the hope she may be able to see him. This also shows her love for him.
Lydia and Mr Wickham will, in my opinion not have a happy marriage. Lydia’s immature character has no concept of what effects her actions might have. Running away with Mr Wickham which nearly resulted in the marriage being cancelled if it were not for Darcy’s financial support would have been devastating. The other Bennet girls would have had small chances of being married as they are connected to such a scandal. The seriousness is shown with, “As he quitted the room, felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality. Mr Wickham will not be happy. He is marrying Lydia not for love but because when Mr Darcy found them he offered to pay off his substantial gambling debts in return for his marriage to Lydia.
Throughout the novel Jane Austen uses language to interest the reader in the men and women’s attitudes towards marriage. Mr Darcy is introduced to the reader at a party as Mr Bingley’s rich friend. Straight away the reader is captivated by this character as Jane Austen describes him, “his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.” This report of him sets Mr Darcy up with the burden of fulfilling everyone’s expectancy of him to be a kind, well spoken gentleman. We do, however, later feel sympathy towards his character as well as Elizabeth’s as we are told how he is found to be disliked by those who meet him. “Till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased;” Our sympathy toward Elizabeth stems from the opinion that Mr Darcy could be the perfect man for her as we know that she is not in love with Mr Whickham. Mr Darcy is shown as a proud, disagreeable man who is some-what of a snob. The words “noble mien” and “fine, tall person” give the impression that he is of high status in society. He only dances with those in his company and refuses to dance with Elizabeth; this snub perhaps shows how people in the higher status do not generally mix with those of lower status. The reader does not know whether to judge Mr Darcy on first impressions which is what most in the novel choose to do. Because of this early portrayal of his character Mr Darcy is now set up to become a common enemy and when his conflictive history with the charming Mr Wickham is shown the reader does not know whose side of the story to believe.
Austen also allows us to laugh and ridicule some of the characters and views on marriage. In addition to Mrs Bennet, another ridiculous character is Mr Collins. He is introduced to the reader through the use of a letter, written to the Bennets. Mr Collins comes across as very egotistic to the point of not knowing his status within society which leads to his character being snubbed; he is not a clever person although thinks he is. “ Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by or society.” He believes that because of his connection with Lady Catherine de Burgh he is of a high status; although he is only her clergyman and because of this he lives in a small house within Rosings Park. He arrives at Longbourn thinking he is very important and expects, because he is the heir to the Bennet estate, that he could have any of the daughters and is shocked when turned down by Elizabeth. His proposal is hilarious. He starts by giving his reasons for marriage. None of which show his love for Elizabeth which should be addressed in a marriage proposal: “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish.” This shows how Mr Collins thinks that because of his position in life he can have whoever he wants. To regain some self pride he then married Charlotte three days later yet ironically this makes him even more laughable.
Jane Austen uses a variety of techniques to create an imaginative and equally gripping novel. Irony commonly emerges throughout the novel creating most of the humour. She introduces one of the main characters, Mr Darcy as a demeaning snob and allows the other characters within the novel to react to this first meeting, therefore pre-judging him. He is then seen as the bad man within the story and is therefore harder to believe when it comes to his proposal to Elizabeth and the truth about Wickman. She does, however, occasionally leak out information which can be used as evidence into deciding the real characters of those in the novel, thus producing a captivating tale. Jane Austen highlights the effects of prejudice through what happens to Mr Darcy. I believe that Jane Austen has made all the characters featured within the novel to be proud but each of their pride is displayed in different ways; some being more obvious than others. Lady Catherine de Burgh, for example displays her self pride through the belittling and ridicule of those she meets, like when saying to Elizabeth of why she cannot marry Mr Darcy. ‘, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.'
Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is still relevant to us today. Sibling rivalry still exists and can be found within most families. Arranged marriages, like the one planned for Mr Darcy by Lady Catherine de Burgh also still exist although, now are generally found within religious cultures. There is still a social hierarchy which sees those whom are the richest as the most important whilst those who are the poorest are seen as the least important, each group seeming to socialise between themselves. The main difference between then and now is the general views on marriage. Then, it revolved around the status and fortune of those concerned. It is quite different now as most marry for love. There are, however, those who do marry for money; gold diggers and those seeking financial security. We can laugh at and enjoy the varying relationships Austen is presenting to us. Throughout the novel Jane Austen’s portrayal of different characters and unexpected twists keep the reader intrigued and interested till the climactic chapters.
By Alex Nicolson
