Hey,
Im doing an essay and was hoping to gain different opinions on the topic.
Ive chosen to write about the contrasting views on marriage displayed between genders in pride and prejudice.
e.g. (debateable) Mr Bennet encouraging his daughters to marry for love vs Mrs Bennet encouraging them to marry for financial stability.
ANY opinions would be greatly appreciated!
thanks!!!
Charlotte marries for security, Jane and Elizabeth and for mutual love and respect, Lydia for romance, Miss Bingley for desire and status, and one day, Mary for erudition.
Mr Bennet marries for no good reason, Darcy for love, Mr Bingley on advice and for love, Wickham under duress, and Mr Collins for respectability.
There's a very interesting point of view we receive from Col. Fitzwilliam. We learn about it when Elizabeth is visiting with the Collins'. Because the Col. is from a rich family but will not inherit, he must find a rich bride if he is to sustain his lifestyle.Originally Posted by p&p2008
Also there's an interesting discussion (or maybe it's a letter) between Elizabeth and her Aunt Gardiner about Wykham's desire to marry for money and society's way of judging it differently, than a woman who marries for money.
I'm pretty sure Mr. Bennett married Mrs. Bennett because she was physically attractive.
As I said.
Either way, there is a tough boat to float here. The Bennets clearly they both love each other,but you cannot prove either. I think the symbolism here that comes into play clearly shows a deep physical attraction.
Last edited by glory; 08-12-2008 at 06:03 PM. Reason: because i forgot something in it -.-
Symbolism isn't the way Austen rights, she is all about grammar and irony. you'll need quotes from dialogue and narration to prove anything.
You said there was "no good reason".
In other words, you did not state a reason.
Since the book stated the reason, I informed the OP what it was.
Therefore it is impossible that what you said is what I said.
If you want to be technical, one could argue that many of the other motives you mentioned are also not "good reasons" for anyone to marry.
"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 an end to all real affection for her."
Thanks for the quote, which I also had in mind. Let me paraphrase. The young and too impressionable Mr Bennet, enchanted by some pretty peer of the opposite sex with the facade of a sense of humour, blundered into an entirely disappointing marriage, in which only the two older daughters were redeeming features. He spent his time rambling or in the study, avoiding his garrulous wife where possible.
The quoted passage continues:
Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of a disposition to seek comfort, for the disappointment which his own imprudence had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, than as her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement.
It is singularly true of Mr Bennet that he 'marries for no good reason'. Ah, Austen humour! In contrast, the other marriages in 'Pride and Prejudice' deliver more or less according to expectations beforehand.
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