2 Marriage Views in the Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is generally regarded as the most popular novel of Jane Austen. It is a wise and gentle satire of marriage and courtship. And it exposes “the money-essence of women’ s marriage in her society”(Yao Lihua,2002). However, money is not what Austin’s pursued. Xu Yongxin(2013:36), in his essay “Money and happiness-views on the marriage in Pride and Prejudice”, stated an opinion through Jane Austen’ s Pride and Prejudice, the writer made a description of four women’ s marriages to express her own attitude towards marriage: a marriage based on love would be a successful one; otherwise, it would turn out to be a tragedy.

2.1 From the Marriage of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy

As the second in the five sisters in the Bennets, Elizabeth was a bold, intelligent and independent girl. She had the ability to grasp for the truth of phenomenon and for the characters of people, which made her proud. Elizabeth didn’t marry Mr.Darcy for his money. On the contrary, she even had difficulty in getting on well with Mr.Darcy on account of social pride and prejudice. Mr.Darcy was amazed by Elizabeth’s fine dark eyes, which revealed her witty, independence and courage, and he decided to court her, throwing his pride and class-prejudice away. Mr.Darcy was handsome and rich, but Elizabeth turned him down at the first time. She thought she was offended by his arrogance. She would not marry for money or lust. This man was hurt when his lover refused his proposal, but he somehow managed to keep his manner and elegance. 

Mr.Darcy did not give up pursuing, though. He became more cautious to be considerate and modest in later actions. He tried another way to show Elizabeth his love. He paid down debt for Wickham and bought an official job for him, who was a completely playboy and had pursued Miss Darcy for money. What’s more, Mr.Darcy gave Lydia, Elizabeth’s little sister, one thousand pounds. When Elizabeth found out what he had done for her, she was touched and convinced by his love.

Finally, after suffering pain from love, Elizabeth and Mr.Darcy got married, gaining their happiness and true love.

2.2 From the Marriage of Charlotte and Mr.Collins 

Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s friend, took “a ridiculously pompous clergyman”, Mr. Collins’ marriage offer promptly for his money. And through the description of the visit paid by Elizabeth to Mr. and Mrs. Collins, it was palpable that Charlotte was not happy about her husband. But she said nothing, since all she needed were a husband and money.