Pride and Prejudice Research Paper

Cooperation: co·op·er·a·tion. n. the process of working together until the end (“Cooperation” def. 1). However, cooperation is not the only thing that a marriage should depend on. In the novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen conveys traits significant to a successful marriage. She presents a happily-ever-after type of relationship, making the reader fall in hopes of having a successful partnership; then compares it to a selfish, greedy, compassionless, civilized union. Mr. Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner present a successful marriage with their communication, cooperation, and sympathy for others. The Gardiners represent the best marriage in the entire novel by Austen. "The Gardiners [were] suitableness of companions; a suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear inconveniences—cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure—and affection and intelligence..." (Austen 444). The couple never argues once throughout the entire book. They were always discussing how to work things out or how to help out one another. Another trait the lovely couple acquires is cooperation. “… A letter from Jane informs Elizabeth that Lydia has run away with Wickham. Elizabeth tells Darcy what had happened, and she and the Gardiners leave for home at once” (Moore). No matter what the situation is, the two are together and decide what to do in situations as a team. The Gardiners also reflect sympathy. "With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate on terms… and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude…” (Austen 268). The second the pair found out about Lydia running off with Wickham, Mr. Gardiner set out to search for them. This tells the reader, that even though the situation does not directly affect them, they go out of their way to help an individual. Austen makes situations like this, to prove that with the Gardiner’s communication, cooperation, and sympathy, they truly have the most successful marriage of all the couples. On the other hand, it is the complete opposite with the Bennet’s. “Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put and end to all real affection for her.” (Austen 436). The couple was together because Mr. Bennet loved her for her looks, and Mrs. Bennet was simply happy to be getting married. Mr. Bennet avoids Mrs. Bennet because “…of marriage to her [is] a 'degradation...” (Wiesenfarth). She runs around like a crazy lady, trying to get her girls married. “Mrs. Bennet act[s] frantically to find husbands for her five daughters.” (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series, Supplement Low). She is willing to disown her own child if they refuse to marry a man who wishes to betrothed one of them. Mr. Bennet usually treats his wife with sarcastic remarks, which is comical, because no matter how serious the matter is, Mr. Bennet always gets a kick out of it. “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth, from this day forward you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do" (Austen 206). However, because of his remarks, this presents a lack of affection or sensitivity to the other partner. The situation being presented by the quote is Mrs. Bennet was threatening her daughter to marry Collins and insisted on her husband to put forth some action; nonetheless, he comes out with his witty, sarcastic response. The couple proves that sexual attraction at a young age is a terrible foundation for a marriage. Therefore makes their marriage one of the worst examples of a partnership in the book. With all the couples mentioned in the book, it is simple to point out which relationship is an accomplishment and which one is a failure. You learn that personality is what is key to a happy marriage and looks are not all what they advertise for. The Gardiners proved this, with their amazing way to connect with each other. Unlike the Bennet’s, where they went for the best looking, and now Mr. Bennet spends his time hiding and mocking his insane wife.