How does Jane Austen show her views on the marriage conventions of the nineteenth century in the novel pride and prejudice?
First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has consistently been Jane Austen's most popular novel. It portrays life in the genteel rural society of the day. Jane Austen is considered by many the first real novelist, she had a very unique style of writing when she wrote all of her books, this is what I believe appealed to her readers, the style that she used was described as ‘comedy of manners’. The comedy of manners satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, often represented by stock characters, such as Mr. Collins. It has been the blueprint for romantic fiction in the writing world. Marriage is a pivotal theme in Pride and Prejudice, the conventions were different in the nineteenth century they were expected to marry for their own financial security. They also had to be married to a higher ranked man but within the same range of class, for example in the book when Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins, they did not love each other but it suited them both to marry. Charlotte Lucas wanted a husband who could financially support her and Mr. Collins was on the hunt for a suitable young wife. He already had asked his cousin and main character in the book Elizabeth Bennet to marry him, she reluctantly disagreed but her mother was not concerned about her feelings, Mrs. Bennet wanted to see all her daughters married
Austen uses a lot of different techniques through out the book, she uses a range of satire which is a form of humour where the writer or speaker tries to make the reader or listener have a negative opinion about someone, by laughing at them, making them seem ridiculous or foolish etc. Jane Austen also uses a lot of irony in this book it is a form of humour. When the speaker or writer says one thing but wants you to understand something different, they are being ironic, and example in the book would be where Mr. Bennet has a conversation with his wife about Bingley, he is a very satirical and ironic character because of his extreme politeness and playful innocence, which in result upset Mrs. Bennet. That provides humour for the reader as a result of her dramatic character. Mrs. Bennet's character is not ironic in the least, but it is the blending of both characters that bring about the irony. Such foils points out to the readers the ridiculousness of human nature. One empathises with Mr. Bennet; his suffering and dissatisfaction is shown through his desire for privacy, his cynical view of mankind, irresponsibility towards his daughters and his indifference, resentment and sarcasm towards his wife. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. These lines can be read as a statement of fact, Austen is saying that this is just how her contemporaries think, and it is very likely that many of her readers have nodded their agreement to this wise recognition. There is also a sense, however, that such a widely-held view runs the risk of stupidity: some men in possession of a good fortune may see no reason at all for taking a wife, and in any case are not likely to enjoy being viewed as a prize by mothers of eligible daughters. In Pride and Prejudice this is indeed how Mrs Bennet will treat Mr Bingley, and her insensitive presumption begins the novels comedy.
