Marriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen In pride and Prejudice there are many different marriages that occur. There are also, various, different incentives for these marriages. In comparing Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship with, Lydia and Wickham, and Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins the reader begins to see the different reasons in which the partners marry. The reader can base their views on the priorities of each relationship. If a reader was to read of a marriage based on financial security like Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas’ they may have preconceived ideas about how the relationship will work if love is not involved, they may form prejudices on the marriage based on their own beliefs and ideals. Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship could be seen as the ideal state between two extremes because they are marrying for love and financial security whereas Lydia and Wickham’s marriage is one of physical attraction and emotions. On the other hand Charlotte and Mr Collins are marrying for financial security alone, which is in direct contrast to Lydia and Wickham’s relationship. Lydia and Wickham emotions dominate their reason. Their marriage is one of ‘little understanding of one another’s characters,’ no ‘good dispositions’ no ‘similarity in feeling and taste’ and we later find out no ‘financial security.’ This is outside opinion of what is going on. Lydia does not listen to Elizabeth’s as Elizabeth expresses her distaste of Wickhams character. Lydia’s indiscreet and impulsive attachment receives heavy condemnation from the people around her. Wickham becomes disinterested in Lydia after there initial attraction, whi… … middle of paper … …keable. Elizabeth sees him in a different light and the pair begin to fall in love. Later on in the book as the pair become better acquainted Darcy re-proposes Elizabeth this time agrees seeing the error of her quick judgement, (though I do think her rejection of Darcy, and his earlier rejection of her contributed to the changing of his character which encouraged her to say yes.) The couple’s hard work and perseverance led to this marriage being so successful. I think that Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage is the ideal state between two extremes because the love of money and fear of loneliness, and the love of love only led to the couples being forced into unhappy marriages. A good middle ground like Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship (or Jane and Bingley’s) leads to a happier marriage for the couples.
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