However, Mrs. Bennet is aware of the difficulty for women to be financially secured in later life. This is the reason for her insistence for their daughters to marry. Therefore, when Mr. Collins asks for one of her daughter’s hands in marriage, she is delighted. Mr. Collins is the heir to the Bennet estate after Mr. Bennet dies. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet’s characters are of a similar disposition. Both characters are weak-minded whose views on marriage are similar. He works for Lady Catherine de Bourgh and, when talking to family members, reminds them constantly. When he proposes to Elizabeth, he unintentionally insults her, but he does not realize it because he is dim-witted. The insults appear as compliments to him. Also when Proposing he states his reasons for doing so. “I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish; Secondly, that I am convinced that it will greatly add to my happiness; and thirdly – which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that its is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble Lady Catherine de Bough.” Mr. Collins follows Lady de Bourgh’s commands as she has high social status. Throughout the speech, he gives when proposing he assumes that Lizzie will marry him without question, as that was how marriage was portrayed in society. But she believes that a person should marry for love, not for money. So, she refuses Mr. Collins’s proposal, to the dismay of her mother.
Afterwards we discover that Mr. Collins has proposed to Charlotte Lucas, who has accepted, much to the disappointment of Lizzie. The paring of Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas is good as it is obvious that they can satisfy each other’s needs because Collins needs a wife to present to Lady Catherine and Charlotte is in danger of becoming an old maid. The contract of their marriage was based on no physical attraction or true love. Their marriage could be classified as a typical marriage of the time. Their marriage was convenient. Charlotte is happy because she receives a home and secure social standing. Charlotte’s view on marriage was typical of many women in this period. “I ask only for a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” However, Charlotte’s views and Lizzie’s views are very different. Whilst Charlotte follows societies views and marries practically, Lizzie feels that marriage should be based on love, friendship and mutual respect; views very much like Austen’s own opinions on marriage.
Similar to the previous marriages mentioned, is the marriage of Lydia Bennet and Mr. Wickham. Lydia's behavior is more that of a flighty Romantic. She is ever-changing in her moods and behavior and wants no responsibility. These three marriages are based on little respect and are therefore unsuccessful. Austen thought that marriage should be based on love and respect for each other. She often voices her opinions through the character of Elizabeth Bennet. Both see marriages of convenience as comedic, which is why unsuccessful marriages are presented in a comedic manner throughout the novel. Most of the unsuccessful marriages in the novel are due to one person being intelligent whilst the other is of mean understanding.
After this, there is the proposal of Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. This is a proposal has the highest counts of prejudice and pride through the contents of the novel. Lizzie, who has been converted by Mr. Wickham’s lies, is prejudice towards Mr. Darcy. Darcy is unaware of Elizabeth's dislike of him when he makes a proposal of marriage to her, but he becomes aware quickly when Elizabeth shoots down his proposal and tells him exactly everything she thinks of him. “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.” She also tells him that he “could not have made her the offer of his hand in any possible way that would have tempted her to accept it.” She accuses him of behaving in an ungentlemanly like manner. Mr. Darcy is full of pride throughout the proposal and he indirectly insults her. “Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of you connections?” He also accuses Lizzie of being too proud herself. “…Had you pride not been hurt by my honest opinion…” Being turned down shocks Mr. Darcy, as he deliberately makes himself superior through his connections and household. However, when talking to Lizzie his superiority means little, as she does not feel intimidated by him; Lizzie does not feel inferior. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins are similar when proposing. Both expect to be accepted without question, and are therefore shocked when this happens.
Although the novel has many unsuccessful marriages, Austen presented a few successful marriages. The first successful marriage is of Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. Although their marriage is based on attraction, it has what Austen saw as the most important factors to marriage: love, trust and respect. Jane and Mr. Bingley’s characters are similar. Both are moderately intelligent and have a cheerful disposition. Although their marriage was based on love, it was successful as it also contained respect and friendship. Mr. Bennet has “no doubt of them doing very well together.” Because of this.
A similar marriage is that of Mr. Darcy and Lizzie. Both characters overcame their prejudice and pride after the first proposal. Considering this, the marriage between Darcy and Lizzie shows the most promise. Darcy is a man of reason, stability, and intellect. Lizzie still has her intellect, but now she has more reason. Both of them are more socially stable now that they are married. The marriage would be successful as again, it contains what Austen believed to be the main true factors to marriage. Lizzie now fully respects Darcy after finding out the truth about him from his letter. She admires him for being who he is, a man of manners, decorum, and integrity. Lastly, she expresses extreme gratitude for all that he has done for both of her other sisters, especially Lydia. Darcy did not have to overcome so many barriers. The only barrier that exists for him is the vast difference in class stratification between the two. However, this seems to bother others much more than it bothers him.
Austen clearly conveys her judgment of the characters and their actions through their marriages. She often voices her opinion through the character of Lizzie. Through Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage, however, Austen shows that you do not need to be a Romantic to fall deeply in love. Austen obviously supports those who demonstrate what she felt were the true characteristics of marriage, which were love, trust, respect and friendship.
