The superior relationships Austen creates have romantic love in them. The successful unions of love between them are Jane and Bingley, and Darcy and Elizabeth. In the novel, Elizabeth points out to that no one “can doubt [Bingley’s] affection for [Jane]”(136), and that can also be said for Darcy too. The young men could marry a different woman if they want money or land, but they choose to marry the two young women, Jane and Elizabeth. The gentlemen are not gaining anything from the union. Towards the end of the novel, Lady Catherine tells Elizabeth that “a connection with [Elizabeth] would disgrace [Darcy] in the eyes of [everyone]”(400), and Darcy still chooses to marry her, and Bingley does the same with his lovely Jane. They are very much in love, which essentially leads to a good relationship, but that’s not the only characteristic a good relationship needs.
One of the reasons why Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship is superior to everyone else’s is because they have confidence in their relationship.
In the novel, Elizabeth reads the letter from Darcy explaining to the “falsehood [Wickham] has imposed on her”(229) and the wrongful deeds he has done to Darcy’s family; her feelings for Darcy change almost instantly after that. Like Darcy, Elizabeth chooses to confide when she doesn’t necessarily have to. These events all took place before the couple was in alliance. Without their development, the relationship would have never began; this is why confidence is the foundation of their relationship. Other couples like this, such as Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, have a very comfortable relationship because they confide in each other. Even Collins and Charlotte, who married out of convenience, will disclose information to one another if it is of great importance, an example of this would be the wretchedness Lydia and Wickham create. Collins didn’t have to inform her of the insanity that is going on with the family of which he is in relation, but he does, this is why their loveless relationship can work. Another reason their relationship works is because Charlotte marries into above herself class, not
below.
Wealth is a very important characteristic of successful relationships in Pride and Prejudice. The first sentence of the book states that “a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”(3). At the beginning of the book, Jane Austen is already putting emphasis on money and wealth, but most importantly the man’s wealth. In all the prosperous relationships that form, the man is more wealthy than the woman. None of the relationships with Wickham turn out well because every woman he pursues is of higher status than his own. His relationships are solely based on money because he doesn’t possess any big fortune himself. This is why he tries to get money through conquering rich women. When Wickham finally succeeds in capturing Lydia, the marriage doesn’t have any characteristics of a successful union, so the relationship becomes unsuccessful. Contrast to Wickham and Lydia’s relationship, Darcy and Elizabeth have all the ideal characteristics a couple in Pride and Prejudice should have: romantic love, confidence, and wealth, which is why the couple’s relationship trumps all others.
Wealth, confidence, and romantic love are essential characteristics a relationship need to have in order to be successful in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Darcy and Bingley have the most successful relationships in the novel because they are in love with their wives. If there is no love in a relationship, confidence can and will make the union more peaceful and prosperous. None of the other characteristics of a successful marriage will matter if the man does not possess more money than the woman. Cinderella has a relationship similar to that of Jane and Bingley’s; a very good relationship, however, it will never be as successful as Darcy and Elizabeth's.