Marriage Proposals In Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen
“Marriage was the triumphal arch through which women, almost without exception, had to pass in order to reach the public eye.” This quote by Antonia Fraser reflects the idea survival and recognition in society for women used to prominently be by marriage. Jane Austen represented this method of acknowledgement within several marriage proposals in Pride and Prejudice. Many of these relations defied societal expectations, especially through the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. Crucial marriage proposals throughout this novel embodied the work’s uncivilized free and wild thinking. These propositions centralized the values that marriage was a business proposal, money and class influence actions and attitudes, and love is a force that can overcome
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Austen provides yet even more of a vulgar attitude because Elizabeth did not only reject Darcy, but she also put him to shame. Elizabeth claimed, “From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others.”(Austen, 145) This would have been immoral for a woman at this time. Elizabeth was standing her ground and not letting Darcy’s wealth and class win her over when she wanted the love and compatibility of a man. Darcy realized, though, that Elizabeth’s independence and intellect is what set her apart from all the other women who would fawn over him; therefore, he admired …show more content…
Austen’s free thinking is proved by this selfish scandal because no person should ever embarrass themself or another person, especially when their intentions are supposed to regard marriage. As Elizabeth had said, “She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt [Wickham] to—she is lost forever.” (Austen, 205) The common theme that the society of one influences actions and attitudes is provided here. The only chance Wickham had of marrying someone was if they had a large enough fortune, which Lydia clearly did not have. Wickham left Brighton in order to escape his debts, and because he knew of Lydia’s ill-nature and silliness, he allowed for the female company; he made a cover for this scheme through an
Austen provides yet even more of a vulgar attitude because Elizabeth did not only reject Darcy, but she also put him to shame. Elizabeth claimed, “From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others.”(Austen, 145) This would have been immoral for a woman at this time. Elizabeth was standing her ground and not letting Darcy’s wealth and class win her over when she wanted the love and compatibility of a man. Darcy realized, though, that Elizabeth’s independence and intellect is what set her apart from all the other women who would fawn over him; therefore, he admired …show more content…
Austen’s free thinking is proved by this selfish scandal because no person should ever embarrass themself or another person, especially when their intentions are supposed to regard marriage. As Elizabeth had said, “She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt [Wickham] to—she is lost forever.” (Austen, 205) The common theme that the society of one influences actions and attitudes is provided here. The only chance Wickham had of marrying someone was if they had a large enough fortune, which Lydia clearly did not have. Wickham left Brighton in order to escape his debts, and because he knew of Lydia’s ill-nature and silliness, he allowed for the female company; he made a cover for this scheme through an