Representation of Love and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice
------------------------------------------------- The Representation of Love and Marriage
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2AB Literature Assignment
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Lucy Yang Although love is considered significant in the world we live in now, it was not the case in the 18th century- Austen’s time. As time progressed, so did education, fashion styles, medical practises and most importantly social constructs and values. Love and marriage in Austen’s century, though it had some similarities, it was considerably different. Pride and Prejudice, a romance novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813 depicts the manner of marriage and love in the Regency era. It is a story of transformation, in which the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet and her counterpart change to believe that love does transcend all things. The novel delves into the passion and excitement of love, but also the detachment that exists between loveless couples. Marriage in Austen’s time can be described as a business transaction. For the women, the man’s income was all they could depend on. And usually for men, the women’s dowry or ‘portion’ would be taken under consideration. In Pride and Prejudice, the marriage between Wickham and Lydia was purely based on money, and perhaps Lydia’s foolish adoration towards Wickham. Wickham married Lydia for the money, which he lacked. Before their matrimony Mr Gardiner stated in a letter “They are not married, nor can I find any intention of being so,” however after there was a discussion between Darcy, Wickham and Mr Gardiner regarding the ‘payment’ behind their marriage Wickham was more than ready to marry Lydia. Mr Darcy was willing to pay off all Wickham’s debts and give them another thousand pounds if Wickham was to marry Lydia, and Wickham would only marry Lydia if those conditions were provided to him- this is a marriage completely based on a monetary deal. Furthermore, the narrator says,
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2AB Literature Assignment
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Lucy Yang Although love is considered significant in the world we live in now, it was not the case in the 18th century- Austen’s time. As time progressed, so did education, fashion styles, medical practises and most importantly social constructs and values. Love and marriage in Austen’s century, though it had some similarities, it was considerably different. Pride and Prejudice, a romance novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813 depicts the manner of marriage and love in the Regency era. It is a story of transformation, in which the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet and her counterpart change to believe that love does transcend all things. The novel delves into the passion and excitement of love, but also the detachment that exists between loveless couples. Marriage in Austen’s time can be described as a business transaction. For the women, the man’s income was all they could depend on. And usually for men, the women’s dowry or ‘portion’ would be taken under consideration. In Pride and Prejudice, the marriage between Wickham and Lydia was purely based on money, and perhaps Lydia’s foolish adoration towards Wickham. Wickham married Lydia for the money, which he lacked. Before their matrimony Mr Gardiner stated in a letter “They are not married, nor can I find any intention of being so,” however after there was a discussion between Darcy, Wickham and Mr Gardiner regarding the ‘payment’ behind their marriage Wickham was more than ready to marry Lydia. Mr Darcy was willing to pay off all Wickham’s debts and give them another thousand pounds if Wickham was to marry Lydia, and Wickham would only marry Lydia if those conditions were provided to him- this is a marriage completely based on a monetary deal. Furthermore, the narrator says,