Marriage rather than love is the central theme of Pride and Prejudice. Do you agree?

Marriage was often seen as a business deal and it was a well thought out decision. A perfect example of a socially advantageous marriage is the one between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. This marriage was entirely based on practicality and money, in fact, Mr. Collins was desperately looking for a wife while Charlotte Lucas wanted to secure her future by marrying him. As Charlotte explicitly tells Elizabeth, love doesn’t always dictate marriage, and very often some outside factors such as the desire of security push together two people without  the need of love:“I am not romantic you know, I never was. I ask only for a comfortable home”.

 Austen criticizes women who marry only for security, but on the other side, she almost admires them because they are able to cope with the difficult situation and learn to live with a man that they don’t really love: “When Mr. Collins could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten.” It seems that Charlotte can live with her relationship even thought it seems impossible for Elizabeth to look on it with anything else but sadness and pity of her dearest friend. Unfortunately, this was the sad situation of many women in the 19th century.

Although most of the engagements were based on practical and economical aspects, Austen wrote two of the most admirable love stories in the English literature; the one between Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy and Jane & Mr. Bingley. Austen explores two couples that unlike the others, decide to marry for pure love. Both couples overcame the obstacles and tensions mainly caused by prejudice and proved that love is independent from all the superficial factors. For example Mr. Darcy romantic proposal: “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feeling will not be repressed” clearly demonstrates how he was capable of overcome his prejudice and dismissal of her “she is pretty but not handsome enough to tempt me” and express his real feelings for her. Another example of a successful marriage is the one between Mr. Bingley and Jane. However, unlike Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, these two characters were too good-hearted and often unable to fight against the outside factors that hinder their romantic and successful story.

Throughout the novel, Austen often explores the characters’ views on marriage and by the end of the novel; we have an overview of the different opinions. Some characters such as Jane and Elizabeth are extremely romantic and truly believe in love. It is clear, that they would never trade their independence for financial reasons: “Oh Lizzy, do anything rather than marry without affection”.

On the other side, most women were concerned with money, establishment and the financial aspects of marriage.  Charlotte Lucas, Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh are the typical 19th century women. Mrs. Bennet’s only preoccupation is to marry her five daughters and she doesn’t really care if they are happy, as long as they are married to a wealthy man. This is proved by her excitement to Elizabeth engagement to Mr. Darcy: “Oh my sweetest Lizzy! How rich and how great you will be! What pin money, what jewels, what carriages you will have.” Her reaction highlights the importance of material and superficial goods, and the lack of interest toward the real values of marriage (love and affection) show the priorities of marriages.

Mr. Bennet however just wants to see his daughters happy: “He is rich, to be sure….But will that make you happy?” If they're happy then he is more than likely to “accept the proposal” but on the other side, he  wouldn't really mind if they all died old maids. He humors Mrs. Bennet, through her fears and he clearly opposes to her thoughts on marriage: “Your mother will never see you again if you don’t marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do”.

Other characters such as Lady Catherine de Bourgh are more concerned with the social aspect of engagements. In fact, she believes that marriages should remain between a small group of people in order to maintain their social status. “Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody”. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is pointing out that a marriage between Mr. Darcy and “a woman of inferior birth” such as Elizabeth could ruin Mr. Darcy’s reputation.

Overall, it is clear that Austen had very radical views on marriage for her time. In fact, she believed that marriage should be entirely based of love, and other factors such as social connections, money, prejudice… shouldn’t interfere.  She uses her heroine (Elizabeth) to show the contrast between those who married for love and lived “happily ever after” and those who married for superficial purposes and will sooner or later regret it. By exploring Elizabeth’s  and Mr. Darcy’s successful union,  Austen also proves that true love can easily overcome obstacles and triumph.