Marry For Love
...us, narrow-minded, silly man”(115). Elizabeth’s rejection to Mr. Collin’s marriage proposal would have been a shock to society in 1813, as in marrying, women not only fulfill themselves as individuals, but also establish the principle values of society. Mr. Collins is a socially desirable man and would provide Elizabeth a home, respectability and long term stability. However, on a personal level, Elizabeth realizes that Mr. Collins would have brought her to insanity and that she could never love such a man. We realize how important it is to marry for love and we empathize with Elizabeth. While on the other hand, her mother feels it is a disgrace to the family for refusing Mr. Collins offer for marriage; “if you go on refusing every offer of marriage, you will never get a husband -- and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead” (94). This statement reflects the situation for women in the novel and during this period. No professions were open for women of the middle classes, so independence on the woman's hand almost never occurred. The only “profession” available was that of being a governess, which meant educating the daughters of a family, but this was a job with low working conditions and lowly paid. Therefore middle class women had to marry their life into money, happiness and a secured future and that is why Elizabeth’s mother was infuriated at Elizabeth for the refusal of Mr. Collins proposal. Later on in the novel, we discover that Elizabeth finds love in her life. Her marriage with Darcy reveals the characteristics which constitutes a successful marriage. One of these characteristics is that love cannot be brought on by appearances, and must gradually develop between the two people as they get to know one another and start loving each other. In the beginning, Elizabeth and Darcy is distant from each other because of their prejudice. Darcy’s immediate opinion of Elizabeth is that she is “tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt [him]” (13). Mr. Darcy is not remotely attracted to Elizabeth and yet when he learns of her true personality he admits that he loves her; “My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you” (157). Darcy's proposal of marriage to Elizabeth, demonstrates how his feelings toward her transformed since his earlier dismissal of her as "not handsome enough.” At this moment in the novel, Elizabeth's only thinks of Mr. Darcy's arrogance, his attempts to interfere in Bingley's courtship of Jane, and his suspected mistreatment of Wickham. Her judgment of Darcy stems from her initial prejudice against his snobbishness, just as his pride about his high social status hampers his attempt to express his affection. Hence, she refuses the marriage as she felt that the proposal was out of pride; not knowing the unexpected change of heart she would had in the future. As we move on in the novel, we find that a series of events which they both experience gives them the opportunity to understand one another and the time to reconcile their feelings for each other. He grows so passionate for her that he believes his love is strong enough to spend the rest of his life with her. Thus, their mutual understanding is the foundation of their relationship and will lead them to a peaceful and lasting marriage. The relationship between the two Elizabeth and Darcy reveals Jane Austen’s values on love not being centered around beauty or immediate attraction but rather, knowing the personality of your partner before you devote your life to them. Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship proves to us that happiness in a marriage can only be achieved if the couple feels love for one another. On the other hand, the marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet is quite different from the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth. The marriage between the Mr. and Mrs. Bennet represents, very early on in the novel, Jane Austen’s opinion on the outcomes of marrying for incorrect reasons. Mr. Bennet married his wife because she was beautiful in her youth and her ability to supply him with children. Eventually though, her beauty faded and so did their enjoyment of each other. Mr. Bennet was seduced by good looks and youth and the effect of this is that Mr. Bennet isolates himself from his family, finding refuge in his library or through mocking his oblivious wife. This becomes his only happiness. Mrs. Bennet in contrast enjoys gossiping about neighbors and finding future husbands for her daughters. Mr. Bennet has a very witty sense of humor and often ridicules of his wife, which is the only enjoyment he gains from Mrs. Benn...