Pride and Prejudice Part 1

 Word count: 296

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" (Austen, 27).

"He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connexions, he should be in some danger" (Austen, 53).

    The first quotation is pronounced by Charlotte Lucas on the topic of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingly's newly blossoming love. This quotation relays society's view of marriage at the time. Marriage was solely for new connections and property - especially for women. Although this novel focuses mostly on love matches, the reader learns about other, less fortunate matches. For example, Charlotte's match with Mr. Collins is most advantageous for her because she is the eldest in a large family; therefore, she does not have a big dowry for marriage for higher status. This marriage will also allow her younger sisters to "come out" into society sooner so seek husbands. As seen in the second quotations, people of the time did not expect to make love matches, but they rather understood they would need to have an advantageous marriage. Mr. Darcy does not believe Elizabeth is in a high enough class in society to even consider marrying. 

    Because of this understanding, the stakes for marriage were high during this time. The reader sees this from Mrs. Bennet. She is upset by Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Collins and, later, Charlotte's acceptance because it means Lady Lucas has her first daughter married before Mrs. Bennet does. She is also upset because their match means Mr. Collins and, consequentially, the Lucas family inherits the Bennet house once her husband dies. This is because women of the time were not allowed to inherit or own property; therefore, once the Bennet sister's father dies, they could be turned out of their house. Austen uses her prose as a way to make commentary on the unfairness of society towards women. By her writing, she was defying the social pressures of being a woman, and the reader can see this rebellion throughout her novel.

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice, Arcturus Publishing Limited, 2016, pp. 9–162.

Comments

  1. Kristen SassoFebruary 17, 2021 at 9:49 AM

    I completely agree that Austen's writing emphasized women in society. Marriage was a part of a women's life, while also being a big commitment during this time period. With that being said, marriage between two people showed the connection for one another and the men made sure the women would be the best they can be before marrying them. In some cases of marriage, love was a factor of it but it was also whether or not their marriage will be powerful.

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  2. Maddie FraitzlFebruary 25, 2021 at 10:24 AM

    The concept of marriage in this novel and during the time period that it was written in is much different from today's society. Modern day marriage tends to emphasize romance and love more than opportunity and status. Mr. Collins proposal to Elizabeth reflects this well. Mrs. Bennet very clearly wants Mr. Collins and Elizabeth to get married, as it would be advantageous for the entire Bennet family, but Elizabeth cares more about the romance aspect of marriage, which her mother gets angry at her for.

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