Marriage in "Pride and Prejudice"

Paper Summary:

The paper identifies Jane Austen's perspective on marriage in her personal life, Charlotte Lucas' views on marriage, and the views of other characters in "Pride and Prejudice". The paper discusses the different feelings regarding marriage and posits that, ultimately, each person has the right to choose his own path. The paper concludes that Jane Austen marvelously captures the struggle of the heart and the mind in the quest for love and fulfillment.

From the Paper:

"Jane Austen's perspective on marriage in her personal life is opposite to that of Charlotte Lucas. Furthermore the novel Pride and Prejudice was written in a period where marriage was considered as securing a social position that would benefit both families involved. The concept of love rarely entered the equation of courtship and marriage (www.pemberley.com). This perspective is clearly evident when Austen was the same age as Charlotte Lucas and given a proposal of marriage by "Harris Bigg-Wither...But in spite of the temptation of marriage ...She decided not to marry him without love" (Grey, 1986: 287)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Craik, W. A. Jane Austen: the six novels. London: Methuen, 1965.
• Grey, J.David. The Jane Austen Companion. New York: Scribner, 1986.
• Irvine, Robert P. Pride and Prejudice. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2002.
• "Jane Austen -- Letters -- Brabourne Edition." The Republic of Pemberley. 19 July 2008 <http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/brablets.html#letterqot>.

More papers on Marriage in "Pride and Prejudice":

• Analytical Essay # 55045 : "Marriage in "Pride and Prejudice"
• Analytical Essay # 117502 : "Representations of Marriage in "Pride and Prejudice"
• Book Review # 115476 : "Marriage in "Pride and Prejudice"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: