In Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen presents a number of relationships in early 19th century England

Wickham and Lydia have a difficult relationship because Wickham is a con man paid to marry her by darcy so Elizabeth’s family can keep her family reputation in order where as Lydia is young and foolish that believes her in love with any man who passes the time of day with her. Mr Wickham has been after a fortune by marring a rich girl he had already tried to elope with Darcy’s sister Georgina that was stopped by Darcy. Wickham was friendly with Elizabeth until a wealthy heiress turned up .He tried to marry her but failed. He eloped with Lydia almost by mistake as her has no money and he had no intention of marrying her until Darcy pays him to marry her so they end up married and travelling to Newcastle.

Collins and charlotte lucus is a convenient marriage that suits them both but it is not based on love. Mr Collins starts with trying to marry Elizabeth but “she will have none of him” he takes this as being rejected but the family and since his patroness wants him to marry he marries the next girl he bumps into, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte is not romantic and just wanted to get married “ I am not romantic you know I never was I ask only a comfortable home and considering Mr Collins’ 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”. These

days in modern time woman do not have to marry to gain a house or status and Charlotte would of not had to marry Mr Collins.

One of the more positive relationships is between Jane Bennet the oldest and most beautiful daughter of the Bennets and Mrs Bennet hoped that she would marry well “It was moreover such a promising thing a Jane marrying so greatly as to throw the younger ones into the way of other rich men” and Bingley a wealthy good natured man who had rented the near by great house and a member of Darcy’s party from the north. They met at a assembly room gathering where Bingley danced with Jane several times “you are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room” also we can see right from the start he likes her by “oh she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld”. They like to dance together and just be in each other’s company. However Darcy convinces Bingley not to marry someone so below his status and Darcy thought that she didn’t show her liking enough but when Elizabeth tells Darcy Mr Bingley broke Jane’s heart he apologises to Bingley and Bingley goes after Jane and Jane agrees to marry him .Mr Bennet thinks that they are “so good natured the servants will take advantage of them.”

The main relationship in the novel is between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth is the Bennets 2nd daughter the most intelligent and Mr Bennet’s favourite .Mr Darcy is the richest character in the novel and comes from his big estate in Derbyshire. He is great friends with Mr Bingley Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship starts badly when Elizabeth over hears him say “she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.” However Mr Darcy finds himself falling in love with her against his own good judgement because she is witty, intelligent and doesn’t mind standing up for herself. However Elizabeth’s dislike for Mr Darcy increases after she has heard about him from Mr Wickham. During a visit to Kent Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth against his better judgement “in vain have I struggled it will not do my feelings will not be repressed you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you” Elizabeth refuses him and one of the reasons she gives is his behaviour to Wickham. Afterwards Mr Darcy explains what really happened and that Mr Wickham had tried to elope with his sister the don’t meet again till when she is on holiday sightseeing in his estate in Derbyshire. Darcy is still attracted to her and she now seems to be developing an attraction to him however this is interrupted by Lydia’s elopement with Wickham with out Elizabeth knowing he’s does every thing to force Wickham to marry Lydia. He did that because he loves Elizabeth so much “ I believe I thought only of you” which is what he says when Elizabeth finds out and thanks him in the same conversation he asks her to marry him and this time he accepts.

So I think that in this book Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen shows us that love in the 19th century is very formalised and follows strict rules. Nowadays in the 21st century things are totally different .We are less status conscience about marriage and you don’t need a husband to get a good household.