In Jane Austen's novel, 'Pride and Prejudice', there are, eventually, five married couples. A discussion on Marriage.

In Jane Austen’s novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, there are, eventually, five married couples. Marriage is the main theme of the novel, which is clearly indicated in the first line of the book ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in pocesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife’. I am going to concentrate on two of the five marriages, Jane Bennet and Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. As I look at these couples I will see how they compare and contrast.

Bingley is a man with wealth and good social skills. Bingley leases Netherfield and unlike Darcy he is very popular with everyone because he is kind amiable and has good manners. I also think Bingley is a little naive and is well described by Elizabeth saying he is a man who is ‘very easy to understand’.

Jane is the kind and gentle sister of Elizabeth and, unlike her sister, she is oblivious to the ways of the world and finds good in everyone.

Jane and Bingley were instantly attracted. Jane saw Bingley as a simple man and a perfect partner. These observations are very different to Elizabeth’s first impression of Darcy. Bingley is also very attracted to her as he says at the Netherfield ball ‘she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld’. This clearly illustrates his attraction toward Jane. Jane and Bingley were getting on very well with Bingley visiting Jane regularly but then I think Bingley was exposed to being a bit weak. Bingley lets himself be manipulated by Darcy and his sisters. Darcy acts like an advisor to guide Bingley away from his attraction to Jane. This unfortunately works very well because Bingley has a high regard for Darcy’s judgement and follows his advice with hardly questioning him. This shows how different Darcy and Bingley are. Darcy would never let himself be influenced by anyone but himself. Jane is very disappointed when Bingley seems to have lost interest in her but she waits patiently. This shows Jane’s good character that she still sees well in him even after he has appeared to leave her. Elizabeth thinks that Jane should forget about Bingley. This shows that Elizabeth doesn’t believe in dwelling on things. Eventually Jane is rewarded for her patience. Bingley returns with Darcy’s blessing, which he highly regards, and after a few visits to the Bennets he proposes. Jane married Bingley for love. Their marriage was a perfect match because the feelings they had for each other were mutual felt.

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Elizabeth is a spontaneous, high spirited, witty and warm young lady. She is also bright and realistic about life. Unlike her sister, Jane she is not ready to believe that everyone is perfect. Elizabeth is aware of her father’s unhappiness with Mrs Bennet, which shows she is very intelligent and observant. Elizabeth is also not afraid to speak her mind – a good example of her readiness to do so is her outburst at Darcy’s proposal. Elizabeth’s main flaw though is her exaggerated prejudice toward Darcy. Her first negative impression of Darcy was at the Assembly ball in Meryton. It was here Jane overheard Darcy saying ‘she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me’. Her prejudice against Darcy is strengthened when Wickham told Elizabeth his unfounded story of his ill treatment and when she finds out that Darcy influenced Bingley against Jane. These comments just fuelled Elizabeth’s prejudice. Later in the novel when Darcy proposes to her she refuses him and does not even give the offer serious thought. I think Elizabeth still felt raw about Darcy’s immoral actions but if this had have been Jane she would have tried to let him down gently.

While Elizabeth is the symbol of prejudice in the novel Darcy is the embodiment of pride, which is shown from the start. His arrogant ways make him unpopular and misunderstood. This is the very opposite to Bingleys character. Elizabeth takes an instant dislike to Darcy when he says he is not interested in her at the ball. When Darcy’s proposal is knocked back it gives his pride a knock and makes him realise that he is in the wrong. Elizabeth’s opinion of Darcy begins to change when she receives a letter from Darcy explaining his actions in the case of Bingley and Jane and later when she makes a visit to Pemberley. You wouldn’t think that material goods would have affected Elizabeth but the beauty of Pemberley overcame her. She now thinks higher of Darcy because of his house and because of the good comments of the housekeeper. ‘If I was to go through the world, I could not meet with a better’. Finally when Lydia eloped with Wickham it allowed him to prove his true love for Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s feelings had now taken a u-turn.

One could be forgiven for thinking that marriage is an unlikely outcome of a relationship between two different people but Elizabeth and Darcy do share common interests. For example Miss Bingley states that ‘Miss Eliza Bennet is a great reader’ while in a conversation between Darcy and Miss Bingley it is said ‘what a delightful library you have at Pemberly’. This illustrates they both have an avid interest for reading.

The marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy is also based firmly on love for one another. Although Darcy’s love is not expressed until the end of the novel, he does say ‘You must allow me to tell you I admire and love you’. This shows the readers he I not afraid to express his feelings. Elizabeth shows her love towards Darcy when Mr Bennet calls her into his library after Darcy’s proposal. When Mr Bennet questions Elizabeth’s affections for Darcy she says ‘I do like him I love him’. Elizabeth is aware that her feelings toward Darcy have not always been positive but she believes that he will be able to make her happy. Therefore this reflects Elizabeth and Darcy have married for love just like Jane and Bingley.

These are two very different couples but at the same time have a lot in common. They have both had problems but eventually they find great happiness in their love of one another.

By Richard Harpur.