In Chapter Six Elizabeth’s views on marriage are vividly displayed as contrary to those of her close companion ,Charlotte Lucas. Elizabeth expresses her concerns about her elder sister’s rapid infatuation with Mr Bingley, Elizabeth demonstrates this by saying, “she cannot even be certain for her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight.” Charlotte Lucas’ contradicting views are demonstrated with the following quotations, “In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection than she feels.” and , “I wish Jane success with all my heart. I should think she had as good chance of happiness , as if she were to be studying his character for twelve-month. Happiness in a marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” Charlotte Lucas also believes , “It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” Here ,Charlotte is suggesting that the more you find out about a person the less you will begin to care for them. She feels that once you discover a persons negative traits it is all you begin to see and focus on in their character. So therefore, if you are going to pass your whole life with someone it is easier to know as few of there bad points in order to make the relationship easier and more compatible.
Mr Darcy delights in Elizabeth’s spirited readiness for controversy, and sees winning the love of such a woman to be a conquest which is not easy but well worth while. Here is a quotation of Elizabeth’s obstinate behaviour, “You mean to frighten me Mr Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? But I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.” Elizabeth will love him ,if she ever does , for himself, as she is not desperate to gain great wealth and social status through marriage. Darcy identifies this when she first turns down Mr Collins and then him. Elizabeth also contrasts to Caroline Bingley who is desperate to catch Darcy as a husband. However, Caroline’s attraction is merely an act of lust and social climbing ,in order to gain great wealth and be the mistress of a beautiful estate. Caroline Bingley could never fill Mr Darcy’s need as a wife as she lacks brains, wit and grace. “Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr Darcy, she left Elizabeth to walk by herself. The path just admitted there’re Darcy felt their rudeness,” this is an example of Caroline Bingley’s impolite and behaviour.
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage results in them avoiding the failings that we see in the other marriages in the novel.. Their views on marriage are unlike the majority of other relationships, which are solely based on marital security. The couple share mutual love and respect towards each other. “Never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be in vain.” also, “you liked me against you will , against your reason and even against your character.” The later quotation portrays the fact that Mr Darcy loves Elizabeth despite “family obstacles” and social standing.
Charlotte Lucas’ perception of marriage is acutely similar to that of her
mother .Charlotte’s choice of Mr Collins is seen as extremely wise. On hearing about their daughter’s engagement Sir William and Lady Lucas began to calculate the years pending Mr Bennets death, and the inheritance of their estate to Mr Collins, with such vigour and excitement than had ever prompted before. This indicates the couples shallow mindedness , want of marital security and high social status for their daughter. They themselves wish to be able to boast and flaunt the Bennett’s estate which their family will be able to do as soon as Mr Bennet dies.
Mr Collins himself is self important and pompous. He believes that every one around him is just as interested in himself as he is. He is impractical and selfish. Jane Austin herself points this out by writing, “Mr Collins was not a sensible man.”
Mr Collins puts himself before any his duties as a parson, in the same way that he puts his welfare before that of any prospective wife when he proposes. “there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity , and those who regulate the clergy.” and “I consider myself more fitted by education and habitual study to consider what is right than a young lady like yourself.” Here Mr Collins’ arrogance is displayed .He is rude to Elizabeth ,who he proposes to later that evening, all for the sake of social climbing, by becoming acquainted with Mr Darcy. Mr Collins has a plan of “amends” for “inheriting their fathers estate.” He refers here to one of the Bennet sisters , living at Longbourn to whom he feels would be a suitable partner. He views his plan as, “ an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness.” It is here that we are vividly exposed to the fact that Mr Collins has no desire for love in a marriage , solely social status and reputation. Mr Collins ,states in a speech in which he declares he will “ run away with his feelings” that his reasons for marrying are, “I feel that for every clergyman in easy circumstances(like myself)to set an example of matrimony in his parish.” This is the first point he mentions suggesting that it is the most significant, this is symptomatic of the fact that he is only marrying Elizabeth’s close friend Charlotte Lucas after being turned down by Elizabeth herself, as a priestly obligation, and that unlike love and affection, this to him the most important thing.
“At the age of twenty seven and without having ever been handsome” are the words used to describe Charlotte Lucas. I feel that it is for these reasons that Charlotte Lucas accepts society’s views on marriage. Mr Collins is almost exactly what Charlotte wants. She knows she is not as beautiful or intelligent as her contemporary Elizabeth, so a suitor of Mr Collins’ calibre seems fairly acceptable. This makes her a realist. He will prevent her falling into a future of spinsterhood, which terrifies her greatly. Although Charlotte’s marriage is in no way idyllic she does achieve the dignity and match of good status , together with independence that she wanted, as well as becoming mistress of her own household. When Elizabeth went to visit the Collins’ she felt, “when Mr Collins could be forgotten, there was real a great air of comfort through out, and by Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten.” This emphasises the fact that the Collins’ marriage may not be perfect ,as the couple are not particularly compatible, but the pair of them are not unhappy al all.
This marriage contrasts completely to the views of modern day couples .Today it is not a necessary obligation, in the slightest to get married. Couples do not feel marriage is essential for a partnership to work. Many couples can live without the recognition of their partnership, exist as married couples do and even have children.
Having compared and analysed the diverse and opposing views on marriage between characters, it seems, a truly fulfilling marriage, in “Pride and Prejudice”, can only exist between partners who both have mature and developed characters. Darcy and Elizabeth are the most prominent examples of this in the novel. The slow process of learning the truth about each other is not just a matter of removing prejudice but also of replacing it with a positive appreciation.
