Discuss the ways in which marriage is represented in Pride and Prejudice.

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Discuss the ways in which marriage is represented in Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice originally titled First Impressions was first published in 1813, the second of Jane Austen's six novels. In this essay I attempt to discuss and illustrate the ways in which marriage is represented in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with particular regard to respect.

Marriage is the key theme in Pride and Prejudice, and in many other Austen novels.

'...However elegantly they conceal their triumph, marriage is the aim of all Jane Austen's heroines and we do not see them again...'. (pg 45 Beer.P 1974)

It was the ultimate destination and ambition of most of the middle and upper class females of Miss Austen's immediate life experience and she has perhaps used her experience and impressions in crafting her own characters reflecting the positives and the negatives of the married state. It is perhaps surprising that she never married, although there is some evidence of love affairs, there have been rumours of two, one whom died, the other deemed unsuitable and sent away.

Women in the late 18th Century had little financial independence, they were unable