Young women of this day were introduced into society at an early age this being an indication of their availability. The activities in which they were educated such as reading, singing and horseback riding all contributed to increasing their potential for ‘snagging’ a rich husband. Un-married women were not only shunned and considered social rejects but were also condemned to live with their parents or relatives until a husband was found as living alone in these times was practically unheard of.
Given the already mentioned it is very logical that a large percentage of women, who were obviously considered the weaker sex in these times married solely as it was the only route to financial security, or to escape an uncongenial family situation. A perfect example of this is Elizabeth’s dear friend, Charlotte Lucas’s view on Mr. Collins proposal:
P98/99: “Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it.”
It is clear from this extract that Charlotte not only excepts Mr. Collins proposal but considers herself lucky that he has even made such as offer.
Another example of marriage for reasons other than lust/love/affection is that of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, whose marriage was one mainly of security. Mr. Bennet's name, reputation and small fortune made him an acceptable suitor for Mrs. Bennet of whom we are told has ‘no particular connections’. There is no indication of passionate love between the two within the novel, more of an understanding and tolerance for one another and the length of this loveless marriage just goes to prove how important family values were in the early eighteenth century, divorce was out of the question.
Throughout the novel Jane Austen continues to present various marriages, all of a different caliber. Now I would like to look at a few examples of various types of marriage
- Firstly a marriage purely out of convenience, between Mr. Darcy and Miss. De Bough. Arranged by their respective families at birth, the basis for this marriage is simply wealth and social rank and meant to unite their two great estates; Rosings and Pemberly.
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Secondly the marriage of Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. Between these two there is genuine affection and love present , this is portrayed throughout the novel. Both characters are kind and goodhearted and deserve each other. As Jane states upon hearing Mr. Bingley’s proposal “How shall I bear such happiness?”
- Another marriage that is based on love is that of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss. Elizabeth Bennet the spirited heroine of the book. Though their preliminary feeling towards each other are hostile and by no means romantic, by the end of the novel, both overcome their pride and through self-knowledge reach a mature understanding and genuine love and passion for one another.
- Lydia Bennet and Mr. Wickham portray an ‘ill and foolish marriage’. Mr. Wickham someone of little fortune and as proven by Mr. Darcy a deceitful character , runs of with the young, foolish and very gullible Lydia Bennet, with the promise , but no intention of marrying her. When the Bennets find out of this ‘elopement’ their options are either to force Wickham, no matter how horrible to marry Lydia , or bare the shame that she has run off with AND not married him which would considerably blacken and the family’s name. Thankfully , Mr. Darcy intervenes and makes sure that Wickham is forced to marry Lydia. Even so this marriage is a good example of a very ill one, as there was bribery, no proper courtship involved and as the groom was not in possession of either wealth or a kind personality.
I believe that Jane Austens personal experiences with marriage as well as the role of marriage in society at the time in which she wrote P+P played a very important role in creating such a novel. Jane herself was proposed to by an eligible bachelor, however refused him , another uncommon act for a women in those days. She remained an old maid thereafter and therefore also lived with her parents for most of her life. I feel that Jane’s views on marriage and especially on women’s role in marriage are very strongly shown in the novel. Jane Austen herself one said that Elizabeth Bennet was her favorite character out of all her novels, which show that she admired Eliza for her strong personality, mind and outspokenness which set her apart from all the other characters in P+P. Perhaps when writing this book, Jane Austen’s personal views on society in the early 1800’s were reflected in Elizabeth’s character…which is why she and her views are so realistic and powerful