The Topic of Marriage In 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”, is a claim made by Jane Austen among the topic of marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen explores the differences between many types of marriages presented in the book. Throughout the nivel Austen presents the different kinds of marriages through social commentary in the book that characterizes them, and shows the effects of each of them on their community.

Throughout the book the different kinds of marriages that take place have different effects on society around them. One of the marriages that take place in the book is between Mr. Collins and Charlotte. With Charlotte being the eldest of the Lucas children at 27 years old, she ends up with Collins not out of love but “the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune”. She believes out of wisdom that it is best for her to take what she can right now knowing good enough that it might be her last chance.

This is seen as the most prudential marriage in the novel, but as different from Elizabeth’s view, marriage was seen more of a business for her. This adds to the novel social commentary because it enforces Mrs. Bennet’s idea of ”needing to be married”.

Charlotte also knew that Mr. Collins had already proposed to Elizabeth before hand, but even knowing that she still precedes to accepting Mr. Collins proposal. Although being rejected from Elizabeth multiple times, Collins continuous pursuit of marrying and sharing his fortune with another person as an outcome of is arrogance and failure to see it.

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This marriage shows a more stereotypical marriage at the time. Another marriage that is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum is the one between Lydia and Mr. Wickham.

The marriage between these two is of social acceptance. Both married based superficial things that eventually faded away due to time “His affections for her soon sunk into indifference; her’s lasted a little longer”. Lydia enjoyed hearing others called Mrs. Wickham, and holding herself to a high standard compared to her other sisters. Compared similar to Mr and Mrs. Bennet, both seen to be married for the clout instead of the senamenal aspect. Both relationships not only end up being negative but because both relationships were self centered. The marriages in the book show the reader the effect on the social community around them, and why their marriages didn’t work.

Even through a majority of relationships went healthy overall, one relationship that was a thoughtful and meaningful was between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. In the beggangin Elizabeth look at Darcy as arrogant and to good for anyone there as he says “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.” At the beginning of their relationship both found each other very stubborn, but eventually attracting them together. Their relationship is very layered and throughout the book they start to impact those around them.

Although Darcy was denied his first proposal to Elizabeth he kept pushing her and showed a higher love for her then did Collins. Mr. Darcy did not only pursue Lizzy after being denied he feel more and more in love with her party being attracted how intelligent and her high standards. This builds a stronger and longer lasting relationship because their relationship disregards money and focus more on each other. Their effect on society is of a great one because they don’t only break the stereotype of what it was like back then, but they made it socially right to date out of your economic class but to actually marry for love. Out of all the marriages, Mr. Darcy’s complex relationship with Elizabeth ended up being the longest and most enjoyable.

All in all in the course of the book many different kinds of marriages took place. Auston characterizes these marriages and shows the effect they have on their community. Through the course of the book we get to further understand the socially constructed and accepted rules that were explored and they ways they affected the relationships themselves. In the end though, the most in depth and loving relationship endured the most cruelty from society and ended up lasting the longest. No money nor power nor position can fill the gap of love, because for as long as we live, we will seek for our emotional gratification.