Theme of Marriage in pride and prejudice
Theme of marriage in Pride and Prejudice is what Jane Austen wants to explore in the novel. It a domestic story, but its author is also concerned with pointing out the inequality that governs the relationships between men and women. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice explores various kinds of marriages to highlight what makes a good or bad union. There are seven marriages in the novel, each revealing different aspects of marriage in Austen’s time. The novel critiques the idea of marriage based on financial security or superficial attraction, showing that these unions often lead to unhappiness.
One example of a bad marriage is the union of Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins for financial stability, even though he is an annoying and pompous man. In Austen’s society, women had very few options. They couldn’t work in industries, business, or education. If they didn’t marry, they ended up as dependents, like Jane Austen herself. The pressure on women to marry for financial reasons made the system seem like another form of prostitution.
Another example of a bad marriage is that of Lydia and Wickham. Their relationship is based only on physical attraction. Soon, Wickham grows tired of Lydia and often leaves her alone. They rely on financial help from Elizabeth and Jane. This shows that marriages based on looks and lust cannot last. A less obvious bad marriage is that of Mr. Bennet marrying Mrs. Bennet for her “youth and beauty… a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her.”. Like Lydia and Wickham, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were once attracted to each other. Their daughters’ flaws reflect the failure of their marriage.
On the other hand, the marriages of Jane and Elizabeth are portrayed as good and successful. Jane and Bingley’s relationship is based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests. Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage also turns out well because they learn to appreciate each other’s qualities over time. Although they start off distant and prejudiced, they go through experiences that help them understand each other. Their marriage is expected to be stable and happy because it is built on mutual respect and personal growth.
In Pride and Prejudice, Austen shows that hasty marriages like Lydia’s lead to unhappiness, while thoughtful and balanced relationships like Jane’s and Elizabeth’s are more likely to succeed. The novel’s theme of marriage encourages choosing a partner based on deeper qualities rather than looks or money.
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