By MSM YAQOOB
In Austen’s time; in
the late 18th and early 19th century, the main objective of marriage was based
on financial stability. Marriage was an honorable provision that could save
women from the dependency of spinsterhood. Austen was against the kind of
marriage which was solely based on some financial gain and not on love. She
spent her life alone and remained a spinster because she thought that marriage
should be based solely based on love rather than financial gain.
Marriage as the main
theme in Pride and Prejudice:
There are a
series of marriages in this novel, some marriages are based on financial gain,
some on love and understanding, and some on superficial qualities. Through
these series of marriages, Austen wants to convey this moral message that
marriage is supposed to be based on love and understanding.
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Types of Marriages in
Pride and Prejudice:
There are three types
of marriages in this novel. Firstly, the marriage between Mr. Collins and
Charlotte Lucas is an example of marriage based on financial gain and stability
in Pride and Prejudice. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins even though she knows
that it may hurt Elizabeth because she knows that this is the only way through
which she can gain economic stability.
Secondly, the marriage
between Lydia and Wickham is a marriage based on superficial qualities which
end in mutual forbearance. Though Lydia loves Wickham their marriage is a
disaster because a marriage should be based on mutual understanding. Another
example of a superficial marriage is that between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Mr.
Bennet as said in the novel was “captivated by youth and beauty” of Mrs. Bennet
but because of the impulsive behavior of his wife he had long lost real
affection for her.
Thirdly, the marriage
between Darcy and Elizabeth and Jane and Bingley is based on mutual love and
understanding. At first, Darcy and Elizabeth were distant due to their pride
and prejudice towards each other but soon understood each other after a series
of events that they experienced together. Elizabeth was prejudiced towards
Darcy because he had mortified her pride and thought him to be rude and
unreasonable but after receiving his letters all her biasness towards him
disappeared.
Marriage and Classism
in Pride and Prejudice:
In this novel,
the lines of classism often overlap with the lines of marriage. Even from the
start of the novel, it is shown that how Mrs. Bennet tries to find a wealthy
suitor for her daughter and persuades Mr. Bennet to arrange a meeting with Mr.
Bingley. She is even convinced that how Lydia marries Wickham. Similarly, Lady
Catherine wants her daughter Ann de Bourgh to marry Darcy as they are of the
same class i.e marriage at that time among the wealthy was viewed as a kind of “Financial
merger”.
Conclusion:
In Austen’s point of view, marriage
should be based solely on mutual love and understanding and not on any other
thing. Though she admits the importance of money and financial stability that
should not be the only reason for marriage.
