{In this analysis of Pride and
Prejudice, we explore the central theme of love and marriage.
Jane Austen's portrayal of relationships and social
class offers a timeless commentary on 19th-century society.}
'Pride and Prejudice' has been penned by Jane Austen.
It is generally and frequently remarked that it is one of the mostly and widely
read and well- reputed novels. Its main story deals with the problems of love
and marriage. Although it is said that some of the other points have also
been discussed in this novel but its reputation mainly rests on the fact that
it is a great fictional work related to the theme of love and marriage. The
main concern of the novelist in this novel is love and marriage. Different
shapes of love and marriage have been shown in the novel.
Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet are two main characters
of this novel and the authoress throws light on their marriage. Mr. Bennet
married Mrs. Bennet just because she was extremely beautiful and fascinative.
He at once took a fancy to her and married her of his own accord. He was of the
opinion that;
“Beauty should be the only criteria for a happy and successful conjugal life.”
He launched himself on the
matrimonial adventure and learnt a lesson that it was just a fallacy in the
notion that beauty is a guarantee of a happy life. When he came to know this
basic and fundamental principle of love and marriage, it was too late to amend.
He was disillusioned. His wife was a very foolish lady. She had no taste for
what was very desirable for Mr. Bennet. He loved books and belongs to spend a
lot of time in the company of books.
“There was no good relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.”
They were quite different from each
other. Mr. Bennet found an outlet and he began to keep himself away from his
wife. He began to take delight in ridiculing his wife. In short, the
relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet can in no way be regarded as enviable
and recommendable. They were drawn apart from each other with the passage of
time. Their marriage suggests that;
“Beauty is not at all sufficient for an enviable matrimonial life.”
Mr. Collins and Charlotte are married. Their marriage is also a failure. Mr. Collins is a kinsman to Mr. Bennet and the property of Mr. Bennet is subject to entail to Mr. Collins because Mr. Bennet has no male child. Lady Catherine, the patroness of Mr. Collins suggests him to marry and he decides to do so. He thinks, this in the fitness of things to marry one of the Bennet sisters and in this way, some of their loss will be prevented. He decides to marry Jane but he is informed that she is in love with Mr. Bingley. He diverts attention towards Elizabeth and proposes her. Elizabeth refuses quite plainly and Charlotte Lucas and Collins are married. This marriage is not enviable one because it is based on material needs. Charlotte Lucas' conversation with Elizabeth is worth quoting here;
"I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."
Charlotte Lucas is a woman of twenty-seven and she wants a security of a home, it is matter for her who and what type of the man may be. Their marriage is not based on the rare passion of love. They marry each other just because they need each other. They marry each other on the grounds of material requirements.
"Their marriage proves to be unsuccessful."
Lydia and Wickham also married
to each other. It is again an unenviable and undesirable marriage. Their
marriage is based on infatuation. Lydia loves Wickham more than he loves her.
Wickham marries her only for the sake of money. He is a flirt and jilts young
girls in different ways.
“It is his habit to pretend to be in love with each and every girl he meets.”
Lydia takes a fancy to him and wants
to get married with him. She is so stupid and silly that she does not know what
should be liked and loved in a man. She is narrow-minded and thinks (like her
father) that the bodily beauty, charm and fascination are the things which are
compulsory for a happy marriage. She elopes with him. Darcy traces them out and
gives some money to get married. He is already in debt therefore, readily
accepts the proposal. Darcy arranges their marriage in order to save the honour
of Elizabeth's family.
“Their marriage is also a failure because it is based on infatuation.”
Jane and Bingley are married to
each other. Their marriage can also in no way be regarded as an ideal
one because both of them are simpleton and are not aware of the cruelties of
the people. When Jane is told by Elizabeth that Darcy and Caroline
are at the back of their separation, she is not ready to agree with her. Same
is the case with Bingley. When Darcy tells him that the Bennet family is
not respectable enough to be married, Bingley believes it and goes to London.
Both are too good to exist in this world. Mr. Bennet remarks about them that
they will be easily cheated by their servants.
“Their marriage is not recommendable or enviable.”
Darcy and Elizabeth's love affair
is very different from those of others. Love between them develops slowly and
gradually. A number of difficulties sneer at them but they undergo the process
of development of love quite successfully. When Darcy proposes her and says to
her that he will provide her with the matrimonial things, she refuses to accept
his proposal. Money has never been her primary requirements. She is indifferent
to material things. She loves Darcy truly and whole-heartedly. Darcy also loves
her from the core of his heart. Their marriage is based on true and pure love.
“Their marriage is enviable and ideal one from every point of view.”
The above discussion enables us to conclude that the theme of the novel is love and marriage. The main concern of the novelist is solely love and marriage.
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