The couples in Pride and Prejudice
"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." This is a quote from Charlotte Lucas, one of the female characters in the novel, and a quote which very well exemplify the general feelings against marriage for the period and the people in upper-class England.
Marriage is central for all characters in the novel: not just daughters and sons, but parents, aunts, uncles and everybody else who has some interest in the subject. Though it is of course most in the interest of the daughter herself to get married, the interests of the own family can be important for the choice of husband and wife. It is not appropriate for the daughter to choose whoever she likes for her husband, which she- if she wants a happy marriage- is not very likely to do.
Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice presents five married couples. No two are alike. In the novel we see different reasons for marriage between the different matches made in the novel. Austen reveals many messages through her characters on her major theme, being marriage.
Elizabeth and Darcy share common interests that help reflect their love and marriage. During Elizabeth's stay in Pemberly while Jane is ill, Austen reveals to the readers, that Elizabeth and Darcy share a common interest. For example, Miss Bingley states that 'Miss Eliza Bennett... is a great reader...' p34. While in a conversation between Darcy and...
More "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
essays:
Light and Shade--Marriages Mirrored in Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice
... is Charlotte Lucas's marrying Mr. Collins. She is a woman of 27 with plain features and without good fortune. IN her opinion, "Happiness in marriage is ...
Views On Female Marriages in "Pride and Prejudice" and "Jane Eyre".
... concern in marriage. No family can keep the pot boiling without money. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have five daughters, living ...
On Pride and Prejudice, which in your opinion, comes in for the sharper criticism by Jane Austen
... Jane and Mr. Bingley apart. Lady Catherine's bullyin of Elizabeth (at the end of the novel) in an effort to dissuade her from marrying Darcy is a result of her feeling that her own daughter was ...
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - discusses the characters fear in making decisions.
... spinster. Charlotte is in many situations embarrassed and ashamed of her husbandCharlotte knows that apart from some kind of security and happiness, marriage gives a woman a position. She has few hopes of happiness in marriage beyond ...
Conflicting views on marriage in Pride and Prejudice.
... them Charlotte claims that: 'Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.(..)and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you ...
Theme of love, money and marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
... settle and be married. Charlotte knows that apart from some kind of security and happiness, marriage gives a woman a position. She has few hopes of happiness in marriage beyond ...
Examining the use of satire in Jane Austin's classic, Pride and Prejudice
... personality and blatant ignorance however, are universal flaws that despite being extremely funny, leave the reader with a deep seated scorn for her inherent problems. Additionally, though people like Mrs. Bennet certainly do exist, she is satirically exaggerated in the novel ...
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Explain the idea of 'pride' and 'prejudice' in the novel.
... Pride, in smaller quantities, can give you self-confidence and self-respect, and allow you to be a happier person. Elizabeth ... characters and to show their development? Pride and prejudice are very important characteristics in Jane Austin's novel, 'Pride and Prejudice ...