Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pride and Prejudice: Must one marry to be happy?
Often the women in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, as well as the women of her era, believed that prudent and advantageous marriage was the only way women could be truly happy. Much of this belief had to do with financial/economic security, but also with social standing, raising a family, and personal happiness. Do you think Austen is making a social criticism of this type of belief in her novel? Use examples (like Charlotte Lucas, Jane, Elizabeth, Mr. Collins, Bingley, Darcy, and/or Lady Catherine) in your answer.
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When asked if I believe if Jane Austin is criticizing the belief that a woman must marry to be happy, I think that she criticizes certain aspects of that conviction. When dealing with the negative aspects of marriage, Austin gives hints about her cynical beliefs on these parts of marriage with her union between Mr. Wickham and Lydia. In the end of the novel, we see that Lydia characterizes the young foolish girl who thinks that marriage can solve all her problems. Austin satirizes this belief in many young naïve women by showing Wickham as a reputable man who only wants money and that marrying the first man who shows interest in you can have devastating consequences via Lydia being disowned by her family for her foolish actions. The entire novel is not a satire on the necessity of marriage, however, as demonstrated by the financial and spiritual happiness that came with the two female protagonists (Liz and Jane) getting married.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Austen does criticize and observe how the women of that era perceived marriages as the only source of a woman's happiness, as demonstrated by Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins. Austen's personal opinion on the matter seems to be reflected by Elizabeth's contempt and disdain for Charlotte. Furthermore, Elizabeth receives two proposals before accepting Darcy's proposal but she refused Mr. Collin and Mr. Darcy's proposals based on the fact that she didn't like their characters. Elizabeth's character is a strong and independent woman who seems to contrast with Charlotte and Lydia.
ReplyDeleteWith marriage came a higher social standing, money, and a sort of independence different from being a daughter, as demonstrated by Lydia's marriage to Wickam. They receive money from her dowry, money she would've never had otherwise, and she is allowed to move up the line with her husband in front of her older sisters. Furthermore, her mother even seems to hold her in a higher opinion, although this could be purely due to the fact that her only lifelong goal is see all her daughters married, which she must equate to happiness and beneficial to herself. This is an example of the belief that marriage provided happiness.
I would have to agree with what Matt says about Austen criticizing aspects of the novel. The fact that she makes the main character, Lizzy, such a strong woman goes against how woman only wanted a man who could give them economic security. Although Lizzy does marry a man who is financially set, she still finds that she loves him, which is her main reason for being with him. I also agree with Lydia's situation that Matt was referring to in dealing with her foolish actions.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Cathy:
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with what you have said. Austen does choose show use different characters to characterize how marriage truly affects how happy a woman is after marriage. Certainly marriage can make one happier via love, but it seems that what Austen is trying to point out is that many woman of this time marry for purely economic/social reasons. For example Lydia is young, foolish, and naiive. Being the youngest of the Bennets sister she does have a clear disadvantage when it comes to her family's rank. She always the back of the pack, until she is married where, after she elopes with mr. wickham, she thinks she is the highest of the sisters because she is the only one married. Where as Elizabeth had many chances to be married and still is strong willed enough to see through the financial rubbish and live a happy life
I agree with the fact that Austen is showing the different aspects of marriage. Through these different marriages I honestly think that Austen is criticizing marrying for money like Matt and Alyssa said. The reason being that she shows the love between Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth does not marry Darcy for money, which she clearly knows he has but she marries him for being kind and basically the complete opposie of what she first perceived him as being. Whereas, the reader knows that Lydia and Wickham's relationship is not going to last in comparison to the two relationships that had nothing to do with money.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI also agree as Charlotte has different views on love than Elizabeth. Charlotte is more attracted to living in a luxurious home and living a comfortable life. Thus, when Mr. Collins proposes, she accepts immediately while as Elizabeth is concentrated on finding happiness in marriage.
In response to Cathy:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding Charlotte's marriage. She was already twenty seven years old, an age to be considered almost losing all hopes of matrimony. Those around her actually "fear" of her becoming a spinster. Austen shows that this is silly but it was the truth of the era.
I also agree that charlotte was foolish to only marry for money because she thought she would be happy that way. That issue still occurs today, people marry for money all the time still we would call Charlotte a gold digger now-a-days. But Charlotte and Mr.Collins were both desperate people and their marriage helped them both in the end.
ReplyDelete