Set in late 18th Century Regency England, Pride and Prejudice is the portrait of the struggles of women finding the inevitable 'husband' and of a society that believes in male superiority. Through Elizabeth Bennet's lively intelligence and desire in finding 'a man she truly loves' there is the contrast of her best friend, Charlotte Lucas marrying for convenience. Austen depicts the views of love and marriage in a time that matrimony to a gentleman of wealth was the goal of most women's lives: 'A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment'.
             We can see the importance of marriage from the start of the novel, Its influence over the characters and events of the novel is hinted at in the ironic opening sentence: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife'.
             Through Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen portrays the commonly held beliefs about marriage at the time. She does this through her use of characters and their individual views on marriage and love. Society's view of marriage is evident through the many characters who express monetary views of the sacred institution. She uses Elizabeth Bennet to show the contrast between marriage for love and marriage of the era. Elizabeth Bennet's views were very much disregarded at that time. Jane Austen uses this contrast to show happiness is more often found in Elizabeth Bennet's idealistic views than in taking a 'chance' with a man of 'good fortune'.
             Elizabeth Bennet's idealistic views are that she wants to 'marry for love'. Many girls may feel similarly to Elizabeth Bennet but in the serial climate of the time of Pride and Prejudice, if a good marriage was offered she would accept. For example, Charlotte Lucas.
             Charlotte Lucas is the eldest child ...