'Austen presents us with several different examples of marriage in 'Pride and Prejudice

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'Austen presents us with several different examples of marriage in 'Pride and Prejudice.' Focusing on at least three couples, explore how each relationship is presented and what you think are Austen's intentions.

Throughout 'Pride and Prejudice', Austen often refers back to the era in which it was written and the kind of culture and society that she grew up in herself. It is also apparent that she sees the character Elizabeth as an alter-ego for herself, as she is rebellious to the things expected from her by her family and society in general - in reality, it would be preposterous to turn down a marriage proposal! It is evident that Austen did not like the general role that women took on in the early nineteenth century, with no financial independence and an expectation to serve the rest of their lives being a good wife and mother with only the accomplishments such as music and art, to excite them.

I have first decided to comment on the relationship between Mr and Mrs Bennet. Mr Bennet clearly regrets his marriage to Mrs Bennet and realises that he was really only attracted to her beauty and wealth, rather than her personality. This runs parallel to the relationship between Lydia and Mr Wickham. Wickham eloped with Lydia only for her money because he was desperate to leave his debts behind and wanted a companion to join him in his escape, which resulted in an unhappy marriage, an arrangement made only to protect the family's honour and respect among other acquaintances who would very much have frowned upon the elopement if it had not resulted in a marriage.

Marriages of that time were rarely for love; they were usually to ensure financial security, to carry on the family name, connections and a comfortable home. An example of this is the marriage between Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins. She tells Lizzie after her engagement, "I am not 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 with him is as fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."
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Mr and Mrs Bennet's marriage is presented to us through satire and condescendence. Mr Bennet, though unhappy with his marriage, has the upper hand where he can mock his dizzy wife while Mrs Bennet sits blissfully unaware. Mrs Bennet's days are solely confined to ensuring that her daughters are married off to wealthy young gentlemen with good status and connections, to make sure that when her husband dies she is not left with nothing, as their house has been left in the hands of Mr Collins in the event of Mr Bennet's death. As a result of the ...

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