Marriage Theme in Austens Novel Essay Example

does he begin to consider love. He explains that he has sacrificed everything that would have made love a blessing in order to avoid the hardships poverty, her affection, and her companionship would have caused. As a proponent of the middle class ethos, Willoughby willingly succumbs to the temptation of wealth. Conversely, conservative families who support this philosophy often compel or even intimidate their sons and daughters into marriages based on their own interests.

Edward Ferras has feelings for Elinor, but his family strongly objects to their close relationship due to her lack of wealth. On the other hand, Edward has been privately engaged to Lucy Steele for a long time, who is of lower status and has less property than Elinor. When the secret is revealed, John Dashwood describes his mother's reaction as follows: "Despite all of Mrs. Ferras' attempts to convince him to end the engagement, it was unsuccessful... His mother explained her generous plans in the event of him marrying Miss Morton and settling on him the Norfolk estate, which brings in a good thousand a year, free of land tax. She even offered to increase it to twelve hundred if things became desperate. In contrast, she warned him about the certain poverty that would accompany his union with Lucy."

She strongly insisted that his own two thousand pounds should solely belong to him. She made a vow to never see him again and even declared that she would not provide any assistance to him. In fact, she explicitly stated her intention to obstruct his advancement if he were to choose a profession for financial stability. The mother's tactics of

persuasion involve appealing to materialistic desires and presenting the opportunity for financial gain through marriage with Miss Morton, who is wealthy. Furthermore, she employs the threat of confiscating most of his inheritance and disowning him as a means of exerting control.

The relationship between a mother and son is completely substituted for the detachment between business negotiators. The account of John Dashwood shows how far a mother is willing to go in order to influence her son's choice of partner, as well as how powerful conservative forces can annihilate emotions and love for their own gain. In severe instances, marriage is ruthlessly transformed into a transaction, disregarding the emotions of those involved.

The passage discusses the unfortunate circumstance of Colonel Brandon and his cousin Eliza. Despite their strong bond, Eliza is compelled to marry Colonel Brandon's older brother by her uncle and guardian, who is also Colonel Brandon's father. The decision is motivated by the need to save their family's declining estate. Colonel Brandon reflects on this situation, acknowledging that Eliza's considerable wealth and the strain on their family estate played a significant role. Even though they attempt to elope, Eliza is denied any freedom or enjoyment until her father's objective is achieved. This exemplifies how Eliza, a timid and vulnerable woman with financial resources, becomes a victim of an unloving marriage driven by monetary gain. Additionally, Colonel Brandon, as a dutiful son, loses his own happiness due to the dominant authority within their family. Ultimately, Sense and Sensibility presents a bleak perspective on marriage issues compared to Pride and Prejudice which Jane Austen described as more cheerful and optimistic in a letter

to her sister Cassandra.

Although Pride and Prejudice presents a more optimistic view of male characters like Darcy and Bingley, who are economically independent and face fewer difficulties than characters like Willoughby and Edward, it is not devoid of darker aspects. One prominent example is Charlotte Lucas's marriage to Mr. Collins. Despite being a 27-year-old woman with plain looks and no good fortune, she believes that happiness in marriage depends entirely on chance. As a result, her goal in marrying is primarily to secure material advantages and a respectable settlement.

When Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins's marriage proposal, Charlotte seizes the chance to pursue him intentionally. It is easy to understand Charlotte's motive: "Without thinking highly of either men or matrimony, marriage had always been her goal; it was the only respectable option for well-educated young women with limited financial means, and despite its uncertainty in bringing happiness, it was their most enjoyable safeguard against poverty." This portrayal of Charlotte's mindset uncovers the common attitudes towards marriage among women facing similar circumstances.

The materialism of Charlotte and Mr. Collins stems from their desire to prioritize their goals over emotions. Charlotte does not love Mr. Collins, while he seems to have a fictional attachment to her. The pursuit of a wife by Mr. Collins is portrayed through caricatures. As Mr. Bennet has no son, Mr. Collins is the heir of Longbourn. In order to compensate for the lack of male heirs in the Bennet family, he plans to marry one of their daughters, considering it a fair deal for mutual benefit. Jane catches his attention initially.

The author's initial thoughts were confirmed when

he saw Miss Bennet's beautiful appearance, making her his preferred choice for the evening. The use of the term "settled" is ironic as it implies that Jane is in love with someone else. After Elizabeth rejects him, he turns his attention to Charlotte and ultimately decides to pursue her before leaving Longbourn. This decision proves successful in achieving his goal. In a society that values material possessions, their union may seem more reasonable since they both have needs that are met by this transactional marriage. This kind of marriage is not uncommon in Pride and Prejudice.

Austen's earlier works depict courtship and marriage as greatly influenced by the materialistic nature of middle-class society. Despite Austen's own ideals, she impartially presents the harsh realities she observed. Marriage can be motivated by factors other than love, with individuals selecting partners for financial gain and higher social status, as seen in characters like Willoughby and Lucy Steele. Lucy forsakes Edward to marry the wealthy Robert Ferras.

In both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, Austen portrays many marriages as resembling a commercial exchange. The society in these novels views the community as a marriage market, where acting as a marriage broker or contractor is not considered disgraceful. However, amidst this prevailing mindset, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of marriages based on love. These love-based marriages depicted in Austen's novels are not excessively romantic but still attainable. Both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice revolve around main characters who strive to find true love and achieve a happy marriage despite facing numerous obstacles.

In the middle-class community, marriage is expected

to be based on both love and financial consideration. Austen believes that love in a marriage should be rooted in mutual understanding and appreciation, rather than mere physical attraction. This kind of love is not driven by sexual passion alone, but also by a deeper spiritual and cultural connection. Unfortunately, many marriages depicted in Austen's novels become monotonous because the couples possess enough wealth but lack true emotional connection and love.

In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet initially admires Elizabeth for her beauty, but soon realizes her lack of knowledge. He compensates for his disappointment by mocking his wife, similar to Lydia Bennet's impulsive elopement with Wickham. Eventually, Lydia marries Wickham with Darcy's assistance, causing Elizabeth to question whether a relationship based solely on passion can lead to lasting happiness rather than virtue. As a result, "His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer... "' However, contrary to uncontrolled passion resulting in loveless marriages, successful unions are built on the lovers' sensible understanding of each other. This encompasses both the mind and the heart.

Darcy and Elizabeth's union would have been advantageous for both of them. Elizabeth's ease and liveliness might have softened Darcy's mind and improved his manners. In turn, Darcy's judgement, information, and knowledge of the world would have greatly benefited Elizabeth. Similarly, Edward and Elinor in Sense and Sensibility form a harmonious couple. Both of them have reserved and composed characters, with no ambition for fame or fortune, preferring a simple life. These two novels demonstrate that love is not solely about passion, but rather the combination of feeling and reasoning. Love guided by sense

leads to conjugal felicity.

The spiritual connection between lovers in the inner world is impacted by the external world, resulting in the challenge of materialism and worldly influences in society. Marriage based on love frequently faces opposition and criticism from conservative forces, particularly when it goes against family interests or societal norms. Individuals who seek love must endure a test, where their emotional commitment is evaluated in the face of harsh social pressures.

Within Austen's design, a few characters stand strong despite the challenges faced by those around them. In Sense and Sensibility, Edward, Elinor, and Lucy engage in a triangular relationship that is further complicated by external circumstances. Both women lack wealth and both are in love with Edward; Elinor remains composed and reserved while Lucy exhibits firmness and passion. Due to his immaturity, Edward maintains a secret engagement with Lucy, but later becomes attracted to Elinor for her elegance and virtue.

When his family discovers his engagement, they pressure him to end his relationship with Lucy. He is given two options: to marry a wealthy woman and live comfortably or to continue his engagement and be expelled from his home. Edward is a kind and obedient person, but he values his morals more than his family's wishes. He would rather suffer material loss than betray Lucy, even though he no longer loves her. Despite maintaining his integrity by not displaying affection towards Lucy due to his engagement, she understands his thoughts and respects his choice.

Lucy declares that she will stand by Edward in both good and bad times. However, she soon reveals that she has married his brother,

who is wealthier and preferred by their mother. This test of love frees Edward from his relationship with Lucy and enables him to express his love for Elinor. Despite facing resistance from their traditional family, the two lovers ultimately marry happily. Similarly, Pride and Prejudice features main characters who must overcome challenges to be together.

Both external and internal barriers hinder the courtship between Darcy and Elizabeth. In terms of external hurdles, they face economic and social differences. Darcy, belonging to a noble family, possesses great wealth and a large estate. In contrast, Elizabeth is the daughter of a businessman and lacks any inheritance. Additionally, her mother and younger sisters are all unintelligent, inelegant, and vain, further exacerbating the challenges. Consequently, Caroline Bingley mocks Darcy's affection for Elizabeth, while Lady Catherine visits Elizabeth with a condescending attitude, pressuring her to stay away from Darcy.

Despite being in love with Elizabeth, Darcy recognizes the obstacles that hinder their union. The main obstacle arises from within themselves, as they both hold different prejudices against each other. Darcy is fully aware of the vulgarity of Elizabeth's relatives and the disgrace their marriage would bring. In his proposal, he expresses his opinion about her family, and partly because of this, he is rejected. He even remarks, "Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?"

The text highlights the common attitude of Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, and Darcy towards Elizabeth's family. They all possess a strong social prejudice against the middle class, which is the source of their pride. Accepting Darcy's proposal would lead to a marriage motivated by financial gain, making her

akin to Charlotte who seeks profit in marriage.

Elizabeth chooses to stay loyal to her emotions and ethics. However, as time goes on, Darcy and Elizabeth are able to bridge the divide between them by reflecting on themselves and understanding each other better. Darcy shows openness and progressiveness by evaluating his behavior and improving his attitude, which reduces his arrogance. On the other hand, as Elizabeth gets to know him more through subsequent meetings, she acknowledges his virtues and gets rid of her previous prejudice. The end result is that understanding triumphs over personal bias while generosity and affection overcome societal prejudice.

In a materialistic society, individuals who desire love in their marriages will encounter difficulties. Austen explores the process of falling in love, overcoming obstacles, and entering into marriage to demonstrate that one's inner self can navigate external pressures and discover true happiness. However, Austen differs from romanticists by acknowledging the importance of material factors in relationships. Although financial gain should not be the primary aim of marriage, it is vital for the middle class to maintain a certain level of wealth.

In Sense and Sensibility, Edward and Elinor were uncertain whether an annual income of three hundred and fifty pounds would ensure a comfortable life. In Pride and Prejudice, it is famously declared at the start that "it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife," implying that a single woman desires a husband with wealth.

The characters of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are not portrayed as materialistic, yet they ultimately marry wealthy men. This

suggests that Jane Austen's portrayal is more realistic than romantic, as the characters who have demonstrated moral strength are rewarded with material wealth. While marrying for wealth is objectionable, a happy marriage requires both love and financial stability. Similar to the contrast of light and dark in a painting, marriages built on love can coexist with marriages based on financial interests within the middle class community.

In Austen's perspective, love is seen as the fusion of shared comprehension and moderate passion, serving as the foundation for conjugal harmony. Although wealth can provide stability in daily life, it cannot overshadow the importance of love. In a society driven by materialism, the pursuit of love as the basis for marriage often clashes with family interests and societal expectations, making it susceptible to interference from those solely motivated by profit. Despite facing obstacles and internal struggles along the journey towards true happiness, the main characters remain guided by their own principles and ultimately select love as their life partners.

This choice sets these characters apart from the money-focused crowd, and their spiritual superiority is rewarded with a happy marriage and even material benefits. It is important to note that marrying for love does not exclude the presence of money. Austen seems to aim for a balance between money and love, and suggests finding harmony between one's inner world and the outside world.

Jane Austen presents a vivid picture of various marriages in Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, set against the peaceful English countryside. Both male and female characters are in search of a suitable marital partner. Austen classifies the marriages into two types

based on motives: marriage for interests and marriage for love. However, what is Austen's attitude toward this subject? Does she reject the former and promote the latter as a pure moralist? How does Austen believe these motives influence the characters' decisions?

Both Austen's personal and fictional worlds are characterized by questions regarding love and marriage. In one of her letters to her niece Fanny Knight, Austen reveals her moderate romantic perspective. Fanny sought advice from Austen about a gentleman who was courting her, and Austen advised Fanny not to continue unless she genuinely liked him. She emphasized that marrying without affection is undesirable and encouraged Fanny to explore alternative options instead of entering into an unfulfilling marriage.

In addition, her preference for love-based marriages is repeatedly shown in her earlier works. For example, in Sense and Sensibility, despite having limited resources, Edward and Elinor decide to get engaged and ultimately live a happy married life. On the other hand, the marriage between Robert and Luncy, who have both wealth and beauty, is marked by frequent arguments. In Pride and Prejudice, money is not a concern for Bingley and Darcy, allowing them to pursue love-based marriages without worrying about material factors.

Being faithful to their hearts, Jane and Bingley are able to marry after being separated for a long time. The relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth is even more dramatic as they struggle through conflict before finally understanding each other. It is their shared affection that helps them overcome their pride and prejudice, which were the main obstacles to their union. Additionally, Austen remained true to her beliefs about marriage. There is a

belief that she accepted a marriage proposal from a young heir of a Hampshire family but reconsidered the next day.

Despite having the opportunity to marry someone of good standing, she declined due to her lack of affinity for him. She remained single throughout her life, showcasing her deep understanding and high standards for marriage. However, Austen was fully aware of the societal norms and limitations imposed on the middle class. Marriage was a vital strategic move for them in order to attain economic and social stability. It required careful planning and execution as it could either elevate or lower one's social status.

Willoughby, in Sense and Sensibility, accumulates debt due to his extravagant lifestyle and resolves his financial issues by marrying a wealthier woman. Meanwhile, Lucy Steele, who is of lower fortune and social status, improves her life and position by snagging Robert Ferras as her husband.

In Pride and Prejudice, the absurd and comical union between the intelligent Charlotte and the grotesque Mr. Collins emerges. It is unclear who is pursuing whom, as Charlotte cannot afford to remain unmarried while Mr. Collins eagerly seeks a wife. However, from a societal perspective, the marriage allows Charlotte to rise to Mr. Collins's social level.

Austen uses satire and criticism to address marriage based on interests. However, her criticism is not severe, but rather mild. Instead of completely rejecting this type of marriage, she believed that those who prioritize materialistic values deserve each other. Thus, she considered pecuniary marriage to be tolerable and bearable. Austen also critiques middle-class vanity and materialism, but she is not cynical or a reformist.