Charlotte's acceptance of Mr. Collins’ proposal is a prime example; “marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want” (p105)1. Austen makes use of Charlotte's character to illustrate the social norms for women of the time. Charlotte's reaction to Collins' proposal is cleverly juxtaposed with Elizabeth's own values and more romantic views on marriage, as she is offered his proposal first; “You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world that could make you so”(p92)2. Elizabeth's concerns are predominately her overall happiness and mental wellbeing, as opposed to her anxieties about her future financial security. These oppositions of values offer the reader a chance to balance their own views on the sanctity of marriage.
Abstract Elizabeth Bennet is certainly an exceptional woman. She conforms to society’s expectations in many ways while stretching the boundaries in others. Beyond her observable intelligence, she creates a line between her mother and Lydia’s views on relationships and marriage. Elizabeth combines the utility and security of marriage with romantic love and mental compatibility. Body It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife (Austin, 1813).
The title is quite self-explanatory and any reader could guess what the book was about. Jane Austen had famously described the book to be ‘rather too light & bright & sparkling’( Introduction xi). The interpretation that statement gives the reader is that the issues of love and marriage of a lower class was quite the taboo subject that was never really discussed. Although the book seemed to be lightly funny, there is a deeper meaning to this book. One of the earliest examples of pride and prejudice would have started at the ball, where Mr Darcy first made an entrance into Elizabeth’s life.
In the book Emma, Emma Woodhouse is known for getting herself involved in other people’s business. She comes from a long line of wealth and power which allows her to think she can do whatever she wants. Emma’s new friend Harriet has fallen for a farmer named Robert Martin. However, Emma sees him as below her social class as well as Harriet’s, so she attempts to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton, a more high class gentleman. When Harriet receives a letter from Mr. Martin proposing marriage, Emma lets her make a decision and then tells her that refusing the proposal was the right choice.
Elizabeth is a character who defies the social conventions of marriage in the novel. Austen describes marriage as ‘the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune’ (Austen, 2008: 104). Austen also states that ‘however uncertain of giving happiness, [marriage] must be their pleasantest preservation from want’ (104). This idea of marriage, as seen by social conventions of the time, is embodied in Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte does not desire love or happiness, but asks ‘only for a comfortable home’ (106), and believes that ‘happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance’ (18).
Relevance Statement Marriage is a sacred bond which not only involves the couple but also the two families of the bride and the bridegroom respectively. Be it arrange marriage or love marriage, marriage is nothing different for both. Love marriage vs arrange marriage is just a question prevalent in minds of married couples who are not satisfied or are scared to live with an unknown partner for whole life. IV. Preview of Main Points Some of the benefits of arranged marriage are that : (a) It is more stable and successful.
In this regard Mr. Collins is a true production of this society. He wants to “make amends” to the Bennets girl for the entail on the property by marrying one of them. It is very ridiculous that in such a matter of marriage, he is considering only the “property” not his own prudence whether the Bennet girl is fit for him or the marriage will be a proper one. When we look at another character of this novel namely Charlotte Lucas, we see that she is also going on the same path of the society. The union between Charlotte and Mr. Collins is a good example of this marriage that brought about entirely for economic reasons.
In Austen’s time, the Regency Era, social status was decided by the person’s family background, reputation, occupation and wealth. Austen’s novel orbits around the heroine Emma Woodhouse, whom the wise narrator first introduces her as “handsome, clever and rich….” The collection of relevant adjectives straight away gives the reader the thought of superiority and a view to Emma’s family background. Even though Emma is first described as a pristine character, Austen fiddles around with irony as she repeatedly focuses on Emma’s flaws and imperfections rather than her morality. “Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.” This reinforces that Emma does not intend to find love for herself and this reflects her
We see examples of both these roles of marriage through various characters within Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen uses the characters in Pride and Prejudice to emphasize the theme of the importance of marriage, and its dual abillity to both preserve the established social structure and act as a bridge between the ranks of society. Marriage in the upper class was primarily for maintaining and increasing wealth, and preserving the status-quo of a wealthy, high class family. Those in the higher class were excessively prideful - or as Mary would put, vain--towards their position in society, and did not appreciate the ease with which one of lower status could come to be wealthy through marriage. The prestigious members of the upper class generally had little respect towards the lower class with less money, and didn’t wish for them to damage, or even contaminate a family’s reputation through marriage to a person of status high above their own.
So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him” * “You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes.” (EB to JB) * "I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think." * " your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others!” * And so you like this man's sisters, too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his." (Elizabeth to Jane; Ch.