Love and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Essay

Love and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813 during the Regency period. From a woman’s point of view, marriage was seen as â€Å"the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune†. Marriage was seen as the only way of securing a home and a decent living. If a woman wasn’t married she would have the life of a spinster, and depend upon a family who may not always support her. The only other choice was to become a governess, where once again a woman would be dependent on a family. So, considering these options, most young women were obliged to get married. Most marriages were based on physical attraction, financial security†¦show more content†¦Men tended also to marry within their social class as it kept a respectable reputation and possibly increased the wealth within his family. If a man was very wealthy and owned a large estate he would be very sought after. When Darcy is first observed it was because of â€Å"his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance of his having ten thousand a year.† So within his first arrival everyone had established a definite attraction to him if not for his appearance, then for his money. However, Austen has used the social symbolism of the marriages to show the gradual merging of social classes. The marriage of Elizabeth to Darcy and Jane to Bingley shows that there was a fuse forming between the aristocracy and bourgeois social ranks. Marriage in the Regency period can relate to marriages today because in certain cases women (and men to an extent) marry for financial stability. Although most people would prefer to observe this as an act of true love, vowing yourself to another can create the security to make someone feel safely established for the rest of their life. One example in the novel of a marriage for love and mutual affection is the wedlock between Jane and Bingley. Both partners in this relationship show a constant loving devotion for one another. Jane is unwilling to seeShow MoreRelatedLove and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice2117 Words   |  9 PagesLove and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Analyse Jane Austens presentation of love and marriage in her novel Pride Prejudice. From your evidence suggest what Austen regards as a good marriage. On first impressions of the novel, my own prejudices clouded my judgement of the book and of what it might have consisted. 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