Explore Jane Austen's attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice

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Explore Jane Austen’s attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice

Looking at the social, historical and cultural context

In the 19th century when Austen wrote ‘Pride and Prejudice’, the way in which marriage was viewed was very different. It would have been expected of a young woman to find a ‘suitable’ partner for marriage before they were thirty, as after this they could be seen as an embarrassment to their family. By suitable, it does not mean in the way in which marriage is viewed today. Today marriage is seen as an expression of deep love and respect for another person. In Austen’s time, a ‘good’ marriage was seen to be one where wealth and social status of the man and woman were socially suitable. There was very little, if nothing at all based on a good love match. This can be seen in Austen’s opening statement, ‘it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ Austen’s use of irony immediately indicates that she does not agree with this popular view of her time. Austen’s views are depicted throughout the book through the thoughts of characters, especially through the main character, Elizabeth Bennet. They seem to share the same view that social suitability is not enough for marriage, but it should be based on love and understanding. For Austen to hold this opinion in the time that she lived shows she was ahead of her time, as her opinion is the common view among today’s modern society.

        Austen illustrates two main examples of the ‘ideal state’ of marriage. These can be seen through the relationships and eventual engagements of Bingley and Jane, along with Elizabeth and Darcy. The way, in which Austen portrays these two relationships to the reader, makes the reader realise that the relationship held by both couples is in fact the ‘ideal state’ in which marriage should occur. Each couple display compatibility, understanding as well as similarity in their characters.

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Many characters at different points in the novel remark on Jane and Bingley, and how well suited they are. Elizabeth comments that Bingley is a, ‘sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man.’ She realises that Jane and Bingley are becoming infatuated with one another. ‘The train of agreeable reflections, which her observations gave birth to, made her perhaps almost as happy as Jane.’ This reflects on their compatibility.

        The other ‘ideal state’ of marriage, which is maybe more so than Jane and Bingley, is seen in Darcy and Elizabeth. Their compatibility is blinded to each of them because of Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice. ...

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