How does Jane Austen show her views on the marriage conventions of the nineteenth century Essay

First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has consistently been Jane Austen’s most popular novel. It portrays life in the genteel rural society of the day. Jane Austen is considered by many the first real novelist, she had a very unique style of writing when she wrote all of her books, this is what I believe appealed to her readers, the style that she used was described as ‘comedy of manners’. The comedy of manners satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, often represented by stock characters, such as Mr. Collins. It has been the blueprint for romantic fiction in the writing world. Marriage is a pivotal theme in Pride and Prejudice, the conventions were different in the nineteenth century they were expected to marry for their own financial security. They also had to be married to a higher ranked man but within the same range of class, for example in the book when Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins, they did not love each other but it suited them both to marry. Charlotte Lucas wanted a husband who could financially support her and Mr. Collins was on the hunt for a suitable young wife. He already had asked his cousin and main character in the book Elizabeth Bennet to marry him, she reluctantly disagreed but her mother was not concerned about her feelings, Mrs. Bennet wanted to see all her daughters married Austen uses a lot of different techniques through out the book, she uses a range of satire which is a form of humour where the writer or speaker tries to make the reader or listener have a negative opinion about someone, by laughing at them, making them seem ridiculous or foolish etc. Jane Austen also uses a lot of irony in this book it is a form of humour. When the speaker or writer says one thing but wants you to understand something different, they are being ironic, and example in the book would be where Mr. Bennet has a conversation with his wife about Bingley, he is a very satirical and ironic character because of his extreme politeness and playful innocence, which in result upset Mrs. Bennet. That provides humour for the reader as a result of her dramatic character. Mrs. Bennet’s character is not ironic in the least, but it is the blending of both characters that bring about the irony. Such foils points out to the readers the ridiculousness of human nature. One empathises with Mr. Bennet; his suffering and dissatisfaction is shown through his desire for privacy, his cynical view of mankind, irresponsibility towards his daughters and his indifference, resentment and sarcasm towards his wife. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. These lines can be read as a statement of fact, Austen is saying that this is just how her contemporaries think, and it is very likely that many of her readers have nodded their agreement to this wise recognition. There is also a sense, however, that such a widely-held view runs the risk of stupidity: some men in possession of a good fortune may see no reason at all for taking a wife, and in any case are not likely to enjoy being viewed as a prize by mothers of eligible daughters. In Pride and Prejudice this is indeed how Mrs Bennet will treat Mr Bingley, and her insensitive presumption begins the novels comedy. Mrs. Bennet has a certain attitude towards marriage; I think Austen wrote Mrs. Bennet in to the story as someone who she is the total opposite too. I think Jane Austen expresses herself through Elizabeth in this novel, she saw herself as a revolutionary woman. In the words of Mrs. Bennet â€Å"If I can see one of my daughters happily married at Netherfield†¦ I shall wish for nothing more,† in this quote she is implying that she does not care about her daughters happiness, mainly for hers. She disguises it very well though, it is made out that she wants what is best for her daughters but she wants her own fortune when she is older. Mr. Collins’ attitude is to get married to a presentable woman in his standard of class. He firstly asks his cousin Elizabeth to marry him, she says no, but he continues to insist, finally he gets the point and asks her best friend to marry him. Mrs. Bennet wanted her daughters married and tries to encourage Elizabeth. Charlotte Lucas (Elizabeth’s best friend) accepts his proposal. I think that Mr. Collins asked Charlotte because I think he may want to make Elizabeth envy them. The quote I choose to make my point with is from chapter 19 and reads â€Å"May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning? Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, â€Å"Oh dear! -Yes-certainly. I am sure Lizzy will be very happy-I am sure she can have no objection, Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs.† And, gathering her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called out: â€Å"Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself.† â€Å"No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.† And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added: â€Å"Lizzy, I INSIST upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.† Elizabeth would not oppose such and injunction-and a moment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again and tried to conceal, by incessant employment the feelings which were divided between distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off, and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins began.† Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Collins, I think her attitude is to be financially secure, I also think she is a little envious of her best friend Elizabeth. I think this quote portrays just that â€Å"The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases and again during the chief of the day was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. â€Å"It keeps him in good humour,† said she, â€Å"and I am more obliged to you than I can express.† Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself.† Elizabeth has a very strong personality she is independent, and very strong headed. There are many quotes that I could select for this, but my selected quote would be â€Å"You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner.† I chose this quote because this shows that she does not marry just for money, it is a very respectable deed. Darcy is a very arrogant and rich man; he seems to have a very odd relationship with Elizabeth. He is almost perfect in the eyes of a woman; he was rich, handsome, clever and witty. â€Å"And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William- â€Å"indeed, sir, I have not any intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.† This quote shows how arrogant Darcy is. In conclusion I think that Austen’s final message regarding marriage is that one should not marry for money, but marry for love. She portrays herself in my opinion through Elizabeth and Darcy was a dream couple.