Pride and Prejudice – the Difference in Marriage Views Held by Charlotte and ElizabethCharlotte Lucas and Elizabeth Bennet have very contrasting views on marriage and love which proves to be a very central and examined prominent theme throughout the novel. Through Charlotte and Elizabeths actions and words throughout the novel, the reader comes to see two extremely contrasting view points on marriage, one where Charlotte believes in marriage for material advantages and benefits and Elizabeths view on marriage being one centred around romance and love. In this essay we will delve deeper into the views Charlotte and Elizabeth hold on marriage and love and how contrasting these two view points are.
In chapter 6, where Charlotte states “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance,” the reader can see that Charlotte believes that there is little chance of happiness in marriage, therefore showing her opinion that people should marry for reasons other than happiness as it is most unlikely that it happiness will be achieved. Charlotte then proceeds to say “If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar before-hand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always contrive 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.” Here she shows her view that people change in marriage and so she thinks that the amount of time two people know each other before they marry is of very little importance and quite meaningless. There is evidence of her belief in this opinion she holds where she agrees to marry Mr Collins after taking very little time to get to know him. She believes that a woman must first capture her man in marriage and must then grow to love him in her own time after she is married to him. In the same extract Elizabeth shows that she views marriage and love differently and believes that Charlottes view is not sound or correct. Here we see the two contrasting ideas on marriage, which could be thought of as one of the most important points throughout the novel.
Charlotte Lucas takes a pragmatic and materialistic view on marriage. Her views on marriage for material reasons and her attitude on love show that she does not view men or matrimony highly. Because Charlotte Lucas is a pragmatist, she has come to see herself as not pretty or wealthy and therefore looks for marriage for material reasons such as financial stability and not for reasons of love. She views marriage as only necessary for a comfortable lifestyle and financial security. She reveals that she does not believe that romance is a possibility in her life or in a marriage for herself, and therefore shows that she does not believe in true love being a reason for two to marry. Charlotte believes that people change in marriage and so it does not matter how long a man and woman know each other for before taking one
I agree that she believes that marriage is only required to be a good life for a particular man and woman, but that she disagrees with the views expressed by others. Charlotte is, however, more than qualified to know what this person believes when she tells her (and I, too) that “the value of a marriage is less than the value of other people.” She also thinks that if marriage is only optional, women should be not allowed to decide which of their partners will be “the other.” Because Charlotte doesn’t think women should be forced to choose, she doesn’t feel like she should be able to marry every man and woman, even if that means they have to be in good health to work.
To those, though, who say that love is not the solution to what is really wrong with the world, and that love is the solution to the problems with love, that is simply not about me and not about you at all. It is the only way and the only way a man who believes that love is something to be loved, will feel that his life is better. Charlotte Lucas’ views on marriage do not represent my views but rather that of many other men who have come to her.
I believe (the one who said it), Charlotte, in the best interests of society and that God will give me that best and best of love. Therefore, I believe I cannot be unhappy, so long as I am beautiful (a type of beautiful woman). It is time the Christian world began recognizing the value of women’s relationships rather than allowing them to find any comfort with money or prestige to make them miserable. One of the biggest reasons is because women can not get out of the house at all. We are all too familiar with how much money it takes to stay in the house, and some people prefer to stay in the house because they have more of a chance to feel satisfied and stay a long time. Charlotte Lucas supports a woman’s right to work in any job she chooses, including one in which she can earn her own living. Charlotte also supports taking on a job that pays more than she gets in benefits, such as that of family or community-based programs and a job that pays less. A man with a low earning job is more qualified to be a full-time financial supporter and her salary is still more than hers. She would also like to get more professional training.
In addition to supporting my wife’s religious beliefs, I believe that I have the ability to choose an appropriate lifestyle for her and other people around whom I hold no moral or ethical principles. Although I do not believe that men and women should have the rights to all or any of their sexual fantasies, my best advice to all women and men who are in the same boat is that choose to pursue happy, healthy, successful lives and that you choose to be loved rather than be treated less or not loved at all. No matter how much you love yourself, you will always find that it is better to keep going on at your own pace rather than trying to decide what to do now if you do not feel happy to be there next year.
To those who are looking to marry because the marriage is less than their choice or because they feel the same way about marriage because of the desire to maintain