The Evolving Ideas Of Marriage In Pride And Prejudice
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The Evolving ideas of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice
In Jane Austens, Pride and Prejudice, the theme of marriage and the evolving role it plays in the lives of women in the 1800th century is very distinct. Women had few choices in the direction their lives were to take. Due to a process called entailing, if the father of a family did not have a son, his property, upon his death would be given to a male relative on his side of the family, instead of his wife or daughters. For this reason, a womans role was to marry higher up than they, despite having any romantic feelings for the person or not, so that they would be provided for in the future. Anything the woman owned became the property of the husband, upon marriage. Jane Austen oversteps the boundaries for her time in presenting new ideas in the men and women of her novel. Through exploring the characters of Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Collins, Elizabeth, Jane, Mr. Bingley, Lydia, Mr. Wickham, Ms. Lucas and Mr. Darcy in the novel, we will see how each contributes to both the old and new ideas of marriage in the 1800s. In order to do this we need to first understand the character of each person to be explored.
When Jane is introduced to Mr. Bingley who shows her much attention, Mrs. Bennet was sure that they would be married, despite the young girls financial and social status and is quite vocal about it to all those around her. As was standard etiquette for this time, men had to be introduced to a woman by a mutual friend. According to an online source, “If permission “to call” was granted, the visit was well-chaperoned and the couple said “goodnight” at the parlor door. Three months between the announcement of the engagement and the actual wedding was considered suitable (Family Chronicle).” Jane Austen seems to use the character of Mrs. Bennet to reflect how ones social status has an impact on the entire family. Mrs. Bennet was desperate to get her girls married because, “an unmarried female was an economic disaster to her family. Spinsterhood meant caring for elderly parents or living on charity through her extended family (Family Chronicle).”
Mrs. Bennet was considered to be an embarrassment to her daughters. They and their father just wished she would be quiet. There were many social expectations of the women during this time and Mrs. Bennet did not resemble these characteristics. One online source addresses her behavior, with regard to Eliza marrying Darcy and says, “But lack of money did not deter Darcy from proposing to Eliza. It was primarily the low behavior of her family”. (Mothers Service Society, 2) Not only was money important but ones family played into the role of marriage as well. Your family history connected your husband upon marriage and this too was to be considered in a marriage proposal.
Because of the entailment in the Bennet family, we see another example Jane Austen uses in order to display the role of marriage.
Due to entailment, Mr. Bennets nephew, Mr. Collins was to receive his house upon his death. Mr. Collins, desperate to marry, sees Eliza not only as a good match for himself but also as a way for the house to stay within the family. He proposes to Eliza. However, contrary to tradition, she refuses him. Austen is paving the way for the future at this point in the story.
In the 1800s, women were expected to say yes whether they loved the man or not, if it meant taking care of themselves and their family. When she refuses, Mr. Collins says to her, “and you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications.” (Austin, 106) Women were not expected to be “headstrong”, reflected in this passage by Mrs. Bennet, spoken by Mr. Collins in a conversation regarding Elizabeth, “pardon me for interrupting you, Madam, but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation.” (108) This reflected how strong the expectations of women were in this time. They were not to speak their mind or make choices contrary to society. Elizabeth clearly does this and is paving the way for women to follow her in the future. Her mother, on the other hand, was so outraged at Elizabeths rejection of Mr. Collins proposal that she tells her, “I told you in the library, you know, that I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word.” (111) Followed with a key statement reflecting what was expected of women in this time, “I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful children.” (111) Marrying Mr. Collins was Elizabeths duty, not her choice, according to society in the 1800s.
One of my favorite scenes in Pride and Prejudice is when Elizabeth has to answer to her father for saying no to Mr. Collins. This is again, another example of how Jane Austin is creating and presenting a new way of thinking for her time, regarding marriage. Eliza is brought before her father with her mother present, who thinks the father is going to pressure her into saying yes to the marriage proposal to Mr. Collins. He says to her, “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.” (110) This reflects how the attitude toward marriage is changing within this society. There are a few people who are thinking outside the norm.
When Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins, we are moved to observe what happens next, the marriage of Mr. Collins to Ms. Charlotte Lucas, the very good friend of Elizabeth. Ms. Lucas reflects the traditional womans role by marrying Mr. Collins for nothing more than security. She doesnt love Mr. Collins but knows that she will be cared for. She understands that due to her financial situation, she will have few, if any, marriage proposal. Therefore she gladly accepts Mr. Collins offer. Unlike the evolving views Austen presents of marriage through Elizabeth and Jane, Ms. Lucas “has no faith in romantic love or emotional relationship in marriage. Personally she aspires only for security through marriage and looks up to all those with money and status.” (Mothers Service Society, 11)
Created in the relationship that transpires between Mr. Bingley and Jane, is the idea that it is okay to marry outside your social status. This reflects