This is because the family estate will pass to his brother. He is attracted to Elizabeth but she is not wealthy enough for him. Another benefit of marrying besides that of giving financial security or independence from their families for women
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest mocks Victorian love and marriage through different characters in 19th century England, which is wittingly displayed using satire. Aristocrats such as Gwendolen and her mother Lady Bracknell both hold contrasting views, which includes what they feel is required in a life partner. Lady Bracknell strongly believes marriage is just a financial agreement and will not let her daughter marry a man who has no status in society. On the other hand, Gwendolen believes love triumphs over wealth, but Wilde seems to change her meaning of love. So is marriage really a result of love or can it be possible that it is simply just a business contract?
Like most African society where such choices are made for the girl child, which usually results in the breakdown of law and order at the home front, Geronte insists that her daughter be married to Horace, a wealthy merchant’s son while Leandre-Lucinde’s heartthrob faces the threat of losing Lucinde because he has no inheritance. The selfish gain of Geronte surpasses his daughter’s marriage and her welfare becomes secondary. Knowing that her father will force her to marry Horace, a man she does not love nor knows. Geronte’s interest is more pecuniary rather than affectionate, hence Lucinde’s decision to turn dumb, a ruse meant to set off her unwanted suitor. Desperate to give his daughter away to the highest bidder at all cost, Geronte begins to employ the services of the best physicians in town.
"(faculty.unlv.edu, The Victorian Period) throughout my research about the victorian period it seemed to be that marriage was of people protecting their own resources and to be keep their unacceptable impulses under control. I noticed that in The Importance of Being Earnest, when they show a different type of social class they presented Lady Bracknell, that is a very "wealthy person". her major concerns where class and money. She did not like Jack because he didnt know who his parents where making him not to know his social class. LAdy Bracknell: Her major concerns where class and money.
She is the second daughter of a country gentleman who risks poverty if she does not find a husband who can provide for her as her father cannot pass on his estate or the house to her. Getting a job and supporting herself is not really an option for a proper young lady at that time. However, as being highly independent and intelligent, Elizabeth opts to make her own marriage decision in looking for love and companionate marriage. Undoubtedly, it is being in opposition to the common reality during the early 19th-century England that women who lack of fortune need to marry ‘well.’ By ‘well,’ it means wealthy. For example, turning down Mr. Collins may demonstrateher as a no-brainer woman among the society at that time.
During the sixteenth century it was uncharacteristic and rude for women to speak their minds and challenge the authority of men. Conversely, being a determined woman who will go above and beyond to obey the orders of her deceased father, protect her friends, and be a strong wife to her new husband Portia therefore challenges society’s typical rules. At the beginning of the play Bassanio complains to his best friend Antonio that he has fallen in love with a beautiful and wealthy heiress. Bassanio is faced with a major problem though; he has no money to impress the heiress. “O my Antonio, had I but the means/to hold a rival place with one of them,/I have a mind presages me such thrift,/that I should questionless be fortunate” (I, I, 173-176).
Austen and Forster both show that marrying for love does not make for a successful marriage without the element of wealth. Austen uses the relationship between Charlotte and Mr Collins to show that marrying for wealth creates stability, but is not a good basis for a happy marriage. "I ask only of a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collins character, connections and situation in life..." The society that Austen grew up in was very patriarchal and all women had, was the reliance of stability from a male. We are shown that in the 19th century the main reasons for marriage were social class, status and wealth. Austen uses Charlotte as an example of the social norms regarding marriage in the Regency era.
It further illustrates the palpable nexus between propertied male and property-less female who have to do the role of a wife in order to have any access to fortune. Through the Bennet sisters, threatened by the prospect of a penniless future- marriage to a man of fortune was one of the very few respectable options available to them. They could become reasonably self-sufficient only through marriage. A single state was not a desirable option for women with limited resources and no fortune. If they wished for wealth, they would have to accept the baggage of its male possessor as well.
When his most loved daughter comments on her sister’s reactions about his wishes, he then begins to go insane after irrationally separating his land between two of his three daughters based on their charm bringing terrible consequences for everyone. I would say that’s Lear’s first mistake; separating power and responsibility. His two eldest daughters are prepared to be in control of their own lives (age wise) but not necessarily mature enough. A reason of immaturity from the daughters that Lear didn’t notice was how fond they were of him when he declared his wanting, therefore, they aren’t ready to rule a kingdom. They allowed their father to act as if he is still in charge.
Scarlett is a manipulative young lady that was born into wealth. Although all the guys in town want to marry her, she despise her peers and long for only Ashley, another wealthy southern gentleman. When news of Ashley and Melanie marriage spreads, Scarlett experiences troubles and feared that the love of her life would slip off her fingers. Scarlett being selfish and ruthless only wanted Ashley because she didn’t want anybody else to have him. She identifies herself as a goddess and all mighty.