Marriage The Perfect Ending To Pride

Marriage: The Perfect Ending To Pride And Prejudice Essay, Research Paper

Marriage: The Perfect Ending to Pride and Prejudice

An individual often finds himself in a conflict with the rules of

society. Occasionally, rebelling is the path to happiness. However, usually,

the real path to happiness is through compromise. This is the case in the early

nineteenth century England setting of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. In

the novel, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a lively, independent woman, whose family’s

financial situation and whose strong mindedness suggest that she may never marry.

Mr. Darcy, is a rigid and proper man, who falls in love with Elizabeth, despite

their differences. By the end of the novel, Elizabeth and Darcy learn to

compromise, and, in doing so, become truly happy. In marrying, they not only

fulfill themselves as individual, but also affirm the principle values of

society. As in many of her novels, this marriage at the end of the novel shows

us Jane Austen’s ideal view of marriage as a social institution.

The novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen gives us the reader a

very good idea of how she views marriage, as well as society. The theme of

marriage is set in the very opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice; “It is a

truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good

fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen, 1) As Norman Sherry points out,

this is Austen’s way of implying that ‘a single man in possession of a good

fortune’ is automatically destined to be the object of desire for all unmarried

women. The statement opens the subject of the romantic novel; courtship and

marriage. The sentence also introduces the issue of what the reasons for

marrying are. She implies here that many young women marry for money. The

question the reader must ask himself is, does Jane Austen think this is moral.

Sherry shows us that Austen was not particularly romantic. She reveals these

sentiments through Charlotte remarks concerning her marriage to Mr. Collins.

“I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and

considering Mr. Collin’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am

convinced that my chance of happiness is as fair, as most people can boast on

entering the marriage state.” (Austen, 95)

Elizabeth, as Sherry points out, is not particularly romantic either, however

unlike Charlotte, Elizabeth has a certain picture of an ideal marriage in her

mind, and therefore would never marry for reasons other than love. We assume

that since Elizabeth is the main character, this is how Jane Austen sees

marriage. Since Elizabeth would not marry without love, we can also assume that

Jane Austen sees what Charlotte does as immoral. Elizabeth also feels that

marriages formed by passion alone are just as bad as marriages formed without

love. Elizabeth reflects on her sister Lydia’s marriage; “But how little

permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together

because their passions were stronger then their virtue, she could easily

conjecture” (Austen, 232) We again see reasons besides love as the reason for

marriage. Jane Austen is not very optimistic about marriage, in fact there are

almost no happy marriages in the novel at all. Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet,

Lydia and Wickham, and Charlotte and Mr. Collins are examples of the ill-matched

and unsuccessful marriages in Pride and Prejudice.

The characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice are not all

miserable by the end of the novel. Happy marriages in Austen’s novels do occur.

Sherry illustrates this point. The right people eventually come together, for

example, Elizabeth and Darcy, the hero and heroine. The development of the

relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is the most important proof of the

whole overall theme of compromise. This relationship took work, it did not just

occur. Elizabeth has to learn to control her prejudices. She forms her

opinions very quickly and does not change them easily. Darcy has to learn to

evaluate people on characteristics other than social rank. He is too proud of

himself, as well as his high social class, and it affects his ability to relate

to other people. Both Elizabeth and Darcy have to change a little and come to

understand each other before they can be together.

In the novel, the theme of pride and prejudice is first introduced in

chapter three at the dance. Darcy, acting on his own pride, insults Elizabeth.

He claims that she is not handsome enough to tempt him. Elizabeth, overhearing

his insult, considers his remark as a direct stab at her own pride. This

succeeds in invoking a prejudice in her, against him that remains for the

greater part of the novel. She feels that he is far too arrogant and proud.

When Charlotte points out to Elizabeth that Darcy has a right to be proud

Elizabeth rep

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