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Learning of Love and Marriage in Jane Austen's Time from Pride & Prejudice

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Learning of Love and Marriage in Jane Austen's Time from Pride & Prejudice

'Pride & Prejudice' was written in the 18th century by a new author called Jane Austen. Her book can help us have a realistic insight to the social life of her time. It is generated around the Bennet household, a family who live in Meryton. The main theme narrows down to character's relationships, marriages and 18th century society. I hope to give a clear insight to how this novel helped me reach an understanding of different relationships.

Relationships can come about through many circumstances and situations. Their bases can also differ. In the novel we can see some may be arranged, others based on love, as can be seen …show more content…

Even if someone is beautiful, if they come with no good personality then a marriage is almost certain to fail. Mr. Bennet is not at all like her and they have a personality clash, his gentleman qualities and her lack of social etiquette do not go well together. Mrs. Bennet often embarrasses and puts the family to shame at big events such as balls when she gloats about how Jane got the most dances with Bingley at the ball.

Furthermore marriages based solely upon security and position are bound to fail too. This is seen through Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collin marriage. She says she married him for the money: 'I ask only for a comfortable home', and to gain a higher status: 'considering Mr. Collins character, connections and situation in life'- she believes she will live a happy life. Socially what Charlotte wanted is important. In society it was important to be married to someone well off to be socially acceptable. Though money is important, from their relationship we can see it was only for social status that they both agreed to marriage. They both satisfied each other's needs. After they were married we can see from Elizabeth's visit to Charlotte that the marriage isn't how a marriage should really be. When Mr. Collins shows them their garden explaining 'to work in his garden was one of the most

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