The Theme of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

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The Theme of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

        

Marriage is a central theme in the novel Pride and Prejudice. In this essay I shall be discussing the theme of marriage in Pride and Prejudice, by looking at how all the different marriages are portrayed and exploring the author’s view of marriage.

        

Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. In the 19th century, marriage was treated quite differently. There was no real way for young women of the "genteel", or upper and middle classes, to strike out on their own or be independent. Professions, universities and politics were not open to women. Few occupations were open to them, and the few that were (such as being a ) were not highly respected, and did not generally pay well or have very good working conditions. Therefore most "genteel" women could not get money except by marrying for it or inheriting it and since estates were often entailed to male heirs, this was an unlikely occurrence. This being so, families were anxious that their daughters should have a good marriage, which would improve their position both socially and economically.

The opening line of the book, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” reflects this obsession with ensuring good marriages. It is quite satirical and mocking in tone and this helps to set the book up as a satire and helps us see the dialogue that follows with irony.

        

The first married couple we meet are Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. From the very first few lines of dialogue it is apparent that Mr. Bennet does not consider his wife to be his intellectual equal, as he gently mocks her. When asked whether he wants to know who has taken Netherfield Park, he replies, “You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.” This is characteristic of their relationship- Mr Bennet is described as ‘a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice” and his wife as “a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper’ who does not understand his character. We are told that Mr. Bennet was “captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and  mind had, very early in their marriage, put an end to all real affection for her”. Jane Austen uses this marriage to show the folly of marrying for appearance, as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are quite unsuitable for each other, and although this does not appear to affect Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet is shown to be rather withdrawn, with bursts of sarcastic humour which reveal his true character.

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The next couple we encounter in the book are Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas, who marry after Mr. Collins is rejected by Elizabeth. This is clearly not a marriage for love, but for Miss Lucas’s.Little importance is attached to the marriage, and it is told about in just four words “The marriage took place”. This signifies that Jane Austen did not attach much importance to marriage with no love. Although Mr. Collins is shown as insufferable and stupid, Charlotte Lucas, appears likeable, although without Elizabeth’s flair and individuality. She is not looked down upon for her pragmatic views on marriage, ...

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