Views upon Marriage
Jane Austen’s timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice explores many basic social issues of her era through the love and marriage of different social classes. Throughout the novel, Austen explores the topic of marriage and the importance of it particularly towards women. The thread that sews together the lives of all the characters in the novel is the establishment of marriage. She uses Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mrs. Bennet to represent the various reasons and contrasts to the subject; they each have their own beliefs and attitudes towards it. Elizabeth believes in true love, while Mrs. Bennet thinks that marriage is the future for her daughters. In contrast, Charlotte Lucas’s pragmatic opinion on the subject completely differs from the two. Self-natured
Elizabeth’s self-governing and witty personality influences her ideas of marriage. She believes in true love and values finding a suitable match for herself. She does not marry out of haste, but rather of true emotions and connections. She rejects Mr. Collins proposal even though Mrs. Bennet urges and insists her on marry him; she will not compromise her happiness to please. She understands that marriage is key for her future, but she knows that she will never marry a ridiculous man. Furthermore, she also rejects Mr. Darcy even though he is of a high social class and can provide financial stability for Elizabeth and for her family; again, Elizabeth places her own happiness before material gain. Furthermore, Elizabeth’s independent nature and attitude demonstrates her desire to marry a man she loves and who loves her. After getting a further chance to understand and meet the true Mr. Darcy, one that is caring, generous, and loving, she recognizes that their emotions are true and real. She regrets her first rejection when she visits Pemberley and sees his sincere nature and kindness. His acts of benevolence extend when he saves Lydia and the Bennet family from complete disgrace. Elizabeth then...