Explore how Jane Austen presents the themes of love and marriage in volume 1 of Pride and Prejudice.

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Explore how Jane Austen presents the themes of love and marriage in volume 1 of Pride and Prejudice

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

The novel begins with a satirical quote, representing many people’s opinions on love and marriage at the time of writing.  To many, marriage was a way of bettering themselves socially and economically, but seldom for happiness and love.  Throughout the novel there are numerous and frequent references to this way of thinking, and Austen makes characters who think of love and marriage in this way appear ridiculous.

One character made to look absurd is Mrs. Bennet.  Most find her intolerable, and even her own daughters and husband are embarrassed by her regularly.  In chapter one she says, “A single man of large fortune… What a fine thing for our girls!”  Nothing of Mr. Bingley’s character is mentioned, but the fact that he is wealthy seems reason enough for Mrs. Bennet to approve of him.

As will be future explored, Mrs. Bennet is derided throughout the novel, clearly showing that Austen herself does not approve of her way of thinking, as it is centred around the material rather than being centred around love or moral reasons.

Despite being under constant pressure from her mother, due to the details of the entailment on the Bennets’ estate, Jane Bennet desires to marry for love, and eventually does so.

The ever-important matter of money, however, does lie at the back of her mind.  In chapter four, Elizabeth says, “...I give you leave to like him.  You have liked many a stupider person”.  This suggests that Jane has courted men before, but they have either been lacking in character or in money, so she has not pursued their affections.

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In chapter four following the first ball a conversation between Jane and Elizabeth Bennet takes place.  Rather than mentioning Bingley’s fortune, Jane states that she admirers him due to his being “sensible, good humoured, lively” and states that she has never seen such “happy manners”.

Throughout the book Jane is described positively, which influences the reader to think highly of her and views on marrying for love as just.

Elizabeth, too, is presented as sensible and likeable.  Though she mentions that the moment she fell in love with Mr. Darcy was after “first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley”, ...

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