Their Marriage Like Mr And Mrs Bennets example essay topic

Jane Austen uniquely depicts the functions of love and marriage as themes in Pride and Prejudice through valorization and vilification of Nuptial dynamics that existed in her English society. Marriage emphasizes the spiritual or religious bond established by the union of a man and woman. Love is deemed a powerful attachment created by tenderness, devotion and loyalty. Pride and Prejudice, an exceptional Comedy of manners was written in England, between 1796 and 1797, during Age of reason and Published in January 1813, during The Romantic Era. The plot revolves around the importance of marriage and love within Austen's society. Jane Austen's values and attitudes are embedded.

Through the use of witty dialogue Austen is able to emphasize the specific approaches towards love, marriage and successful courtships throughout the text. Austen society had rigid moral codes and deemed marriage into a wealthy family important. Austen illustrates the labours endured by unmarried women to find a suitable husband, while exemplifying the lengths at which some are prepared to go to for an auspicious marriage. Austen examines several marriages and courtships throughout the novel, between; The Bennet's, The Gardiner's, The Collins's, The Wickham's, The Darcy's and The Bingley's.

Each marriage is segregated and deemed a success or failure due certain fixed criteria arising from cultural conditioning and Jane Austen personal morals. The opening sentence embodies the theme of love and marriage in the novel. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife". (Pg 5) This generalisation sets the premise for the themes, alongside foreshadowing the significance of courtship.

This is an example of her use of witty dialogue to engage the reader and add humour. The notion is quite ironic since throughout the novel it is the women seeking for suitable husbands. Austen expresses her concerns on marriage and courtship through The Bennet family. She writes of the consequences and contentment that a marriage can bring. Mr. Bennet married Mrs Bennet for beauty and out of pure lust.

.".. Captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour, which youth and beauty generally give, he had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind, had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown". (Pg 194) Austen tries to stress that as Mrs Bennet's youthful charm faded, their differences became apparent and this eventually led to Mr Bennet's isolation from his family, he became to loathe Mrs Bennet's company and led a secluded life in his library among his books. As a result of this he was not a good father either. Mrs Bennet's Irritating and irrational behaviour contributed to Mr Bennet's isolation, her main goal in life was to enter her daughters into marriage.

Mr and Mrs Bennet shared no love for each other and Mr Bennet made is quite perceptible that he has no respect for Mrs Bennet due to her absurd attitudes. He was fond of mocking her, while amused by her ignorance and idiocy. Mr and Mrs Bennet's marriage and relationship foreshadows the type of relationship between Mr Wickham and Lydia Bennet. Their marriage like Mr and Mrs Bennets was irrational and out of spontaneous desire, on Lydia's part. The slight difference between their marriages is that Mrs Bennet had a more advantageous union, Mr Bennet is an educated gentleman of decent character Mr Wickham is not a proper gentleman and he has significant amount of debts. Mr Wickham had no desire for marriage unless financial incentives to pay off his debts were provided.

Lydia's inability to see through Mr Wickham and figure out truth will lead to the failure of their marriage. Austen presents them as immature, uneducated and illogical individuals. Lydia is very young and foolish she had entered a doomed marriage with a man who does not care for her but will bare her as long as she has money. Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas have entered a marriage of convenience. Charlotte is nearly old enough to be a maid and does not waste her lifetime opportunity, she accepts Mr Collins's proposal. She is not a romantic person and neither is Mr Collins, they do not love each other nor are they friends.

This proves to be an ideal marriage for Charlotte financially and socially as she is now acquainted with Lady Catherine de Bough. Mr Collins's had not intended to marry Charlotte yet when she comforted him during his distress form being rejected by Elizabeth he took the chance to ask her hand in marriage. This action proves that he has no love for her but he merely wants to get married and take his wife to please Lady Catherine de Bough. Mrs. Bennet's brother and his wife, The Gardiner's, boast compassionate and sensible working class personas. The Gardiner's union is the definition of a utopian marriage. Their marriage is not concerned with financial security or status, but exclusively with love and affection for each other.

Their ability to resolve disputes in a civil manner and respect each other's values and attitudes valorize's their superlative sense of responsibility. As a result of their exceptional traits they are often seen as the Bennet daughters' guardians. Their marriage and affiliation is what the Bennet daughters ultimately strive for. Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are one of the most inseparable couples. Both Jane and Charles are sensible and share deep passion for each other. Mr Bingley does not heed status or connections; he is content with love and a caring wife.

Their devotion is true and indestructible, similar to The Gardiner's. The Gardiner's marriage presages the success and contentment that Jane and Mr Bingley's union will bring them. Overpowering the notion of prejudice and pride is love; it emerges to be the dominant theme throughout. Darcy's love is so powerful it enables him to overcome his arrogant and Chauvinistic behaviour towards Elizabeth's family and connections. He provides Wickham with financial incentives to marry Lydia so her family's reputation is not damaged and the sister's chances of marriage are not ruined. This act of generosity is also to convince Elizabeth of his liberal nature.

Their love is so chaste that Lady Catherine de Bough cannot break them apart. As she tries to by confronting Elizabeth and threatening her if she married Mr Darcy. Lady Catherine de Bough wanted Mr Darcy to marry her daughter to enhance her social and financial status, as Mr Darcy was wealthier that them. Due to Darcy's devotion to Elizabeth he disregards Lady Catherine de Bough and marries Elizabeth. Darcy First reveals his true feelings for Elizabeth by proposing to her. ."..

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... ". (Pg 157) This quote embodies Darcy's feelings towards her, and shows that his earlier judgements have changed.

Elizabeth is not irrational like Lydia or her mother and rejects his proposal; she believes he still has not changed his arrogant ways. The rejection marks the turning point as Elizabeth's rejection changes Darcy's behaviour. Darcy's second proposal evidence of his everlasting and flourishing love for Elizabeth. "If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever".

(Pg 295) As Austen delineates it, this quote suggests Darcy is pursuing his proposal even after rejection and he still loves Elizabeth, he is certain that this time she will not rejected him. Austen's unique way of portraying romance and character is symbolism; the use of such literary technique generates variety to the expos'e of romance. Symbolism is apparent is chapter forty three when Elizabeth tours Pemberley. "..

Large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground... ". (Pg 201) Darcy is physically large, attractive and strong. He is elevated on the social hierarchy just as his house is elevated physically. They symbolize true and everlasting love and illustrate that pride and prejudice can be overcome through the realization of love and that social status, financial security is worth nothing if there is no love. "It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgement, information and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance".

(Pg 252) Their personalities complement each other adequately they are highly compatible. They both express absolute terms of love for each other and a profound sense of devotion. They are the most suited couple, in talents, tastes and intelligence their relationship is the most powerful and mutual, they are interdependent on each other. Pride and Prejudice enables Jane Austen to depict the Nuptial dynamics that existed in her English society. Jane Austen incorporates the values and attitudes of her era towards love and marriage into her novel. Austen creatively exemplifies several flawless and blemished relationships through the use of amusing dialogue and interesting literary devices such as symbols.

She deems The Gardiners marriage to be utopian on the basis of their insuperable level of love and concern for each other. Jane and Mr. Bingley form a powerful bond with their sensible and spiritual commitment to each other. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy prove to possess a great marriage due to their unconditional affection and fondness for each other. Jane Austen emphasizes that marriages should not be for financial security, status, and wealthy connections or out of ephemeral lust, such as the unsuccessful unions between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins, Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham and finally Mr. and Mrs Bennet. Marriage, the holy union is concerned with everlasting love and devotion, I believe Austen is vaporizing the notion that true happiness lies within mutual relationships of admiration and respect. I agree and endorse her ethics, as they are critical for a successful marriage.