The Business in Marriage
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice recognized the thought and belief that
marriage is the surest route to happiness for women. It perceived how love was not the
most important factor in a marriage; instead it was regarded as a business that is
dependent on the assurance of the wellbeing of a woman and her family.
Marriage being treated as an order of business was evident in the movie through
Mrs. Bennet’s persistence in marrying off her daughters. She made it her life goal to be
able to marry her daughters-off to people who can ensure their future and that their
needs are met. A prime example of this is how Mrs. Bennet was persistent in marrying
Jane off to Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet’s attitude in marrying off her daughters was
uncalled for, although her actions may be rooted in the societal norms of her time, she
always had a choice to break free from these norms. The actions and precautionary
steps she took, however, was her own way of looking after her daughters wellbeing and
future, it was her trying to keep them alive in a patriarchal society. This is why in
Austen’s literary work, she critiqued the traditional views of patriarchy and strict class
structures through the protagonist, Elizabeth, who breaks societal norms and follows
her heart. A person’s social status at the time was an important factor in a union and as
marriage being regarded to as a form of business in between two families, It was
evident throughout the relationship of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The effect of the
difference in their social status was shown through the different remarks of Mr. Darcy’s
Aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The upbringing of Mr. Darcy had also affected his
ideas of what an educated and successful woman should be. These are some of the
many reasons that affected Elizabeth’s relationship with Mr. Darcy. The difference in
their social standing and upbringing brought upon different conflicts of ideas and beliefs.
This may have been as well the cause of the main characters flaws which are their pride
and prejudice which are the main themes and the title literary piece. Elizabeth’s
prejudice towards Mr. Darcy stems from her own pride which clouded her judgement
and treatment towards Mr. Darcy. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy doesn’t come free from
having taken pride within himself as when he saw the impropriety of the actions of
Elizabeth's family, he took great pride in his own virtuous behavior. The main characters
faults of pride and prejudice towards one another became their own undoing. Elizabeth
regards to herself as a good judge of character however her pride allows her to fall
victim towards her prejudice towards Mr. Darcy. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy’s pride
and high regards to himself allowed and led people to have a general thought and
understanding of him. That is why these two characters must learn to humble
themselves and admit their mistakes in order to live their own happily ever after.
Jane Austen’s work, Pride and Prejudice, were futuristic in terms that it tackled
different social constructs about the role of women in society, considering that women’s
role did not change until centuries later. The prevailing themes of both pride and
prejudice were found within the characters flaws which were also some of the ways that
the storyline tackled the different societal injustices and flaws to the system of marriage
as well. Pride and Prejudice does not only tackle the injustices evident in today's society
but the universal flaws of people, pride and prejudice, and the irony of our own undoing
that follow.