How does Austen Show the Reader that Virtue is Necessary for Happiness in Marriage?

Jane Austen’s most famous book “Pride and Prejudice” was written in 1797 and published in 1813. This book was one of the first representatives of literary realism, although it also represents the novel of morals.

Jane Austen’s most famous book “Pride and Prejudice” was written in 1797 and published in 1813. This book was one of the first representatives of literary realism, although it also represents the novel of morals. Jane Austen united the satirical description of modern society (modern for 1800s) with the actual reproduction of the reality in its typical characteristics. Her books were considered to be the masterpieces and her simplicity of the plot and deep psychological exposure of the characters’ souls made Jane Austen the “First Lady” of English literature.

In “Pride and Prejudice” Mrs. Austin touches upon the theme of the happy life in marriage. The novel begins with the line “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” This defines one of the main themes of the novel – the Elizabeth’s wish to be happy in marriage; she wishes for the kind of marriage that is different from her parents’.

The marriage of those times was not the same as it is today. During Renaissance age in Europe, the love-match marriages were forbidden and this type of marriage appeared in the times of “Pride and Prejudice”. People were obliged to marry according to demands of their parents in order to keep the promises that they gave to some other family.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were a typical married couple of that time. The engagements were fast and young people often did not have an opportunity to spend enough time alone with each other. Thus, as Lizzy was saying “Yes, these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Ving-un better than Commerce.” Although, Mr. Bennet chose his wife by his own will, Mrs. Bennet’s estimation was negligible according to the spirit of that age. The refusal of the offer of marriage was a disgrace to the family of the bride. However, the Bennet’s family was relatively happy. The problem was that Mr. Bennet was lazy and indifferent and Mrs. Bennet was too active.

They make a good couple, because they are antipodes and, as everybody knows, the opposites attract. There was the moment in the book when Mrs. Bennet told her daughter that if she will not marry Collins, her mother will not speak to her. At the same time Mr. Bennet told her that if she will marry him, the father will not speak to her either. Despite these facts, the Bennet family could be considered happy in marriage, they are in phase with each other because of twenty three years of living together.

The other characters in “Pride and Prejudice” were also married and their relationships were described by Austin. For example, Lydia Bennet repeated her parents’ error to marry out of passion and youth imprudence. She escapes with Wickham and then, when the luster fades, Lydia started begging Elizabeth and Darcy for a court appointment for Wickham. However, the other characters get married for sufficiently appropriate person for each of them.

The majority of men judge a woman by her family. Thus, this was one of the greatest obstacles between Elizabeth and Darcy. His letter of objection to the marriage of his friend and Elizabeth’s sister says: “to that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father. Pardon me. It pains me to offend you.” However, Elizabeth recognized the truth of Darcy’s concerns, but nevertheless, she eventually marries him, and at the end of the novel, Jane Austin let the reader see that they will be happy in marriage, but this marriage will be different from Elizabeth’s parents’ marriage.

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