English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

Discuss Jane Austens presentation of the theme of love and marriage in Pride and Prejudice.
Austen shows that marriage was not an act of love for most people but seen as a way of surviving, a high rank and a decent place in society. It shows that women only married for wealth and stability and men married for companionship and comfort. But not all men and women married for these reasons. Jane Austens shows that The only honourable provision for a well educated young women of small fortune. This was the only way to prevent women from spending their life as a spinster or the dependence on their family, which will not be able to support her. But in the Bennets case their house will no longer be theirs on the death of their father. A good marriage in the regency era would seal a social contract between people and a comfortable lifestyle also a financial provision for the future. This was linked with the patriarchal society in which women had no access to property, voting, and rights and was at the mercy of patrons, guardians and husbands. This shows how women were dependant on men and men were therefore seen as more dominant. It is evident in the text, But the fact is, that being as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father. This shows that the property will belong to Mr Collins. Many estates of fortunes were entailed like Mr Bennets estate. This meant that the estate could be passed to male relatives. Although Mr Bennet had five daughters a male relative must entail his estate. It also says, Mr Bennets property consisted of almost of two thousand a year, which unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed in default of his heirs male. In this case Mr Collins who is the nephew of Mr Bennet will entail the estate.

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

In the opening sentence we can see the importance if marriage in the novel. The ironic opening sentence is, It is truth universally acknowledged, that a single man has in possession of a good fortune, must be want of a wife. Here we can see the stereotypical view of people living in the regency period Through the marriage proposal of Mr Collins, Elizabeth describes Mr Collins as being, A mixture of pride, obsequiousness, self important and humility, to her. Her we can see the reasons why she decided to reject Mr Collins as a husband and we can see the importance of marriage to her. In the late 18TH century, Regency period Pride and prejudice tries to portray to the reader the struggle of a women to find the right husband. And a society that believes in male superiority. Elizabeth Bennets desire in finding a man she truly loves in shown in contrast between her and her best friend charlotte Lucas, who is only marrying for convenience. Jane Austen shows the views of love and marriage in the regency era that matrimony to a gentleman of wealth was an important goal to achieve in most womens lives. Mr Bennet married his wife because she was beautiful in her youth and her ability to supply her with children. But eventually her beauty began to fade and so the happiness and the joyfulness of the marriage. Slowly he began to enjoy studying by himself in the study room quietly away from his wife and daughters. Mrs Bennets is shown as a gossip seeker and is trying to marry of all her five daughters to rich men. Austen is trying to show to the reader that marriage on the basis of physical appearance is wrong as beauty fades gradually with time. Mr Bennets uses lots of verbal irony in his conversations for example when Mr Bennet says to his wife Mrs Bennet, you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you. Here Mr Bennet is comparing his wife to all his five daughters and saying that she is as handsome as all of them and Mr Bingley could like her. Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel, Jane Austen shows us that Elizabeths marriage doesnt show

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

us a pleasing view because she rejected Mr Collins then Mr Darcy. Other prospects for Elizabeth were to become a governess or a spinster. We can see in the proposal from Mr Darcy to Elizabeth when he explains that in spite of obstacles here Mr Darcy is relating to Elizabeths and her families low social position. But Mr Darcy was asking her to be his wife as he was insulting her at the same time because of her social status. For many men there were not socially rejected by women as men needed legitimate children to inherit their estates such as Mr Darcys son would inherit Pemberley estate in Derbyshire. Women had to marry to be able to provide money for the remaining members of their family. Pride is shown when Mrs Bennet is extremely proud when it comes to the marriages of her five daughters she is example of a caricature. Mrs Bennet is concerned that her neighbours because they have a high opinion of her, that her own vanity will not even allow her to think of her daughters love and happiness. This is shown is when Elizabeth Bennets proposed marriage to the willing Mr Collins, who is her cousin that she does not love. Her mother, Mrs Bennet becomes upset when her daughter refuses Mr Collins marriage proposal. After that incident Mrs Bennet was not going to speak to her daughter for passing such a great opportunity to married. Mrs Bennets views on marriage were to get all of her daughters married off to rich men. Mrs Bennet wants her daughters to marry a rich man this is evident when she says, If a smart colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls, I shall not say nay to him. This also shows how Mrs Bennets is really desperate for her children to get married as soon as possible. But Elizabeth did not believe in love without marriage, Elizabeth only wanted to get married for the right reasons. Elizabeth believed that attraction was necessary between a man and a woman. As we see in the novel Elizabeths main attraction towards Darcy was her manner and her education. Near the beginning of the novel Mr Darcy seems to have no real interest for Elizabeth, She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. But as the story on

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

the novel progresses forward Darcy finds more of an interest in Elizabeth. He began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautifully expression of her dark eyes. This shows that Mr Darcy is beginning to fall in love deeply with Elizabeths beauty. Also he begins to start falling in love with her he says, In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Darcy is expressing his feelings to Elizabeth. Darcy and Elizabeth share many common interests that help reflect their love for one another. During Elizabeths stay at Pemberly, Austen act here like a omniscient narrator by revealing to the readers that Darcy and Elizabeth both share common interests for example when Miss Bingley states that, Miss Eliza Bennet is a great reader then in another conversation between Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy, Miss Bingley states, What a delightful library you have at Pemberly. This shows the readers that Darcy and Elizabeth both share the same interest in reading books. This reveals that Mr Darcy and Elizabeth both are suitable for one another. The relationship between Jane and Bingley is more even and composed but is never faltering love. Darcy claims that Jane has not been able to show enough affection and emotion towards Bingley, although this is part of her nature. Darcy claims that this is what made him think that Jane would not be hurt if Bingley left her. But this is untrue; Jane had suffered greatly after Bingley had left. This is quoted when Jane had suffered, and still continued to suffer. Caroline Bingley was surprised that her brother would fall in love with a girl from a lower class but unfortunately she had higher expectations for him. These events have changed her attitude and have influenced her opinion of him. This would make Caroline Bingley consider that people should marry whoever they love and forget society. In Pride and Prejudice, it contains a great deal of satire to express the feelings of Jane attitudes towards marriage. Jane Austen makes it clear to the reader that marriages

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

are based on many different factors. Jane Austen explains how marriages can come from status, sensual pleasures and true love. Charlottes marriage to Mr Collins is nothing to do with love or happiness. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life. The reader can understand that in Charlottes situation love and happiness is not an important factor. Later on it comes clearer to the reader Charlottes motive for the acceptance to Mr Collins marriage proposal. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home. This shows that Charlotte is marrying Mr Collins not because she loves him but he will be able to provide her with a stable place to stay. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object. Mr Collins was not expecting to marry Miss Lucas As it says, Having now a good house and very sufficient income, he intended to marry; in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had in view, as he meant to chuse one of the daughters. This shows that Mr Collins was intending to marry one of Mrs Bennets daughters and he seemed shocked that Elizabeth was rejecting his marriage proposal. Circumlocution is used here because Mr Collins says; My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Here Mr Collins is rambling on about the same idea of him trying to find someone to marry. Mr Collins is using as many words and descriptions to which take the roundabout ways of trying to approach or hint at the subject of marriage rather than addressing it directly to Elizabeth this was mainly to avoid embarrassing topics. As we see in the Novel that Lydia is a precocious and well developed girl of 15. Lydia married Wickham who has been described as Wild, deceitful soldier. Lydias and Mr Wickhams marriage is caused by the urges of seeking sensual pleasure. Elizabeth was surprised that Wickham could marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

for money. Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims has LydiaBut Elizabeth got convinced that Lydia would just attach herself to anybody. Austen epistolary style is shown when later on two letters arrive home explaining that Lydia has ran away with Mr Wickham and they are no where to be found and they may not even be married. Elizabeth is starting to dread telling the news to everyone, as this will bring disgrace to her family. But later on Elizabeth discovers that Mr Darcy offered to pay a large sum of money for Mr Wickham to get a promotion in the army and to pay off all his debts. And told Mr Wickham that the most honourable thing to do is to take Lydia back and marry her. Dramatic irony is used here because Lydia does not know that Wickham has been bribed into marrying her and is marrying her because Mr Darcy is willing to pay of her debts if he married Lydia since they ran off together. Elizabeth's opinion of Mr. Darcy has now changed completely, but she considers her response to Mr. Darcy's first proposal so hideous, she cannot he imagine he will do so again. This shows that love can pass through the social boundaries. At the beginning of Mr Collins proposal he begins with flattery by saying My dear, Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice of rather adds to your other perfections. Mr Collins is trying to impress Elizabeth by using flattery before getting to the point of marriage. Mr Collins also says, As soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life. This is a good example of hyperbole since when Mr Collins entered the house he wanted to marry Jane but unfortunately she had other plans with Mr Bingley so Mr Collins had the option of marring the second oldest. Mr Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth and it was soon done done while Mrs Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth had made up her mind about Darcy from the first time she came acquainted with him at the ball in

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English Coursework- Miss Gabrielle

Pemberley. She had believed that Mr Darcy seemed to be a very snobbish and arrogant character. The effect of Elizabeths accusation of arrogance, conceit, disdain is soon felt by Darcy and from this point forward our view of him gradually changes. Unfortunately when Elizabeth heard from Mr Darcys friend Colonel Fitzwilliam, that Darcy had "saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage." she was immediately angered that Darcy would ruin Jane and Bingley's relationship and break her heart. Mr Darcy is totally unaware that Elizabeth dislikes him because when Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth he is very shocked when she rejects his proposal he becomes aware of why she dislikes him when she tells him what she thinks of him. Darcy becomes shocked this is evident when it says in the novel, his complexion became pale with anger. Mr Darcy changed colour. Darcy then writes a letter that contains his true feelings for Elizabeth and hands it to her. This letter is the huge turning point in the novel because Elizabeth is the only character shown in the novel that only believes in true love in a marriage and yet she is totally blind and cannot see it infront of her. This makes Elizabeth feel ignorant and biased. Toward s the end of the letter her feeling changes for Darcy she says I love him. Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable.

By Samia Ahmed 10T/GA