Discuss Jane Austens presentation of the theme of marriage in Pride & Prejudice.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Discuss Jane Austen's presentation of the theme of marriage in Pride & Prejudice.

"It is the truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." The opening sentence in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is so important given the social context and the notion of marriage at that time: it was the one fundamental purpose of most girls to marry. Moreover, the motives and the attitudes towards marriage were far more complex in the 19th century than nowadays since love marriages were rare and marrying for 'advantages' were the obvious. Jane Austen explores all the different outlooks on marriage through the characters and reveals her views towards marriage by the consequence of each type of marriage. The novel is quite cliché and follows the 'love conquers all' platitude, however- still manages to be quite enjoyable read due to all the drama and upheaval concerning marriage.

The novel, which tells the story of a commonplace 19th century family whose 3 daughter came 'of age' and therefore were in search for a suitable husband. Furthermore, the sense of drama is heightened by the fact the aging alpha-male of