How Are The Prevalent Expectations Of Marriage Challenged In Pride And Prejudice?

« and depending on the family wealth, unlikely - that her brothers would support her into her old age.

When she marries Mr Collins, she was almost past the accepted (women past their prime were considered “on the shelf”), and as she was quite plain, could not hope for another offer before her time ran out. Without thinking highly of either men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well- educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. - Description of Charlotte Lucas’ views on marriage, ch XXII I am not a romantic.

I never was.

I ask only for a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collins’s character, connections and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state. - Charlotte Lucas talking to Elizabeth, ch XXII In this instance we can see that Mr and Mrs Collins are perhaps the most typical couple of the era in the book.

Neither married hoping for love or even affection, though both find themselves content with the match, which was the best either could hope for. His friends may well rejoice in his having met with one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, or have made him happy if they had.

My friend has an excellent understanding – though I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr Collins as the wisest thing she ever did.

She seems perfectly happy, however, and in a prudential light, it is certainly a very good match for her. - Elizabeth talking of Charlotte’s marriage, ch XXXII Of course, not all marriages in Pride and Prejudice are used as social trampolines: the main marriages of the novel, namely Jane to Mr Bingley and Elizabeth to Mr Darcy were marriages of love. Therein lies the great interest of Pride and Prejudice, it shows a turning point in history; when society began to evolve and accept that marriage didn’t need to be used as a purely business arrangement, but could be a union based on genuine affection.

Mr Bingley’s courtship of Jane is the most simple of the two.

Both harboured feelings of love for the other and it was a question of when rather than if the offer of marriage would be made. “He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she, “sensible, good humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners! -- so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!'' “He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth, “which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can.

His character is thereby complete.'' “I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time.

I did not expect such a compliment.” “Did not you? I did for you.

But that is one great difference 2. »