Are The Marriages Of Mary And Teresa For Love Or Convenience?

Teresa’s Wedding is set in a pub in a small town, in Ireland. The story follows the marriage of Teresa Atty to Artie Cornish. When the short story starts it is made clear that the marriage ceremony is over. We find out in this story that Teresa has been forced to marry Artie because the priest has found out that Teresa is one and a half months pregnant. Being pregnant before marriage is considered a big shame in the Catholic religion, so it was very important that she married before anyone noticed the pregnancy.

The Three Sisters is written in the form of four letters. The first two letters concern a possible marriage between Mary Stanhope and Mr Watts. Letters three and four present the view of Mary’s sister Georgiana on the marriage. It is made clear that if Mary does not accept the marriage proposal her mother will make one of her two younger sisters marry Mr Watts.

In the Catholic religion in the Nineteenth Century it was unacceptable for women to have sex before being married. This meant that women should not become pregnant before marriage. Women who were or became pregnant were considered outcasts of the Catholic faith. This would lead to them getting abused and would bring great shame to their families. Due to Teresa having this problem the priest has forced her and Artie into marriage.

“Teresa had said to Father Hogan about Artie, that she didn’t love him or feel anything for him one way or the other; Father Hogan had replied that in the circumstances all that line of talk was irrelevant.”

Teresa is getting married because of the pressure of her pregnancy. She knows if she doesn’t marry Artie, her and her family will be outcasted by the society. Her marriage is not for love but just for convenience.