Pride And Prejuidice

The novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, contains a great deal of satire used to express Austen’s attitude toward marriage in the 19th century. Austen uses satire to describe various types of marriages and the reasons behind them. She makes it clear that marriages are based upon many different factors. Austen satirically desribes how marriages can stem from economic reasons, sensual pleasures, and true love.

Marriage out of economic compulsion is evidenced by Charlotte’s marriage to Collins. Charlotte’s reasons for marriage have nothing to do with love or happiness at all. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” – Pg. 21. The reader can assume that happiness is not a priority for marriage to Charlotte, but later on, Charlotte’s true motives for marriage are revealed after accepting Collins’s marriage proposal: “I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happi

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There are other marriages that have nothing to do with love or happiness. The satire in this marriage is that even though both lovers initially had indifferent or displeasing feelings for each other, they had later found themselves in love with each other. Austen’s satire in Lydia’s marriage is shown by the ill-mannered behavior of both Lydia and Wickham. Darcy has no real interest in Elizabeth at first, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me” –Page 12,

but as the story progresses he finds more interest in Elizabeth, “He began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes…He was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing, and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. By running away with Wickham, Lydia totally disrespected her family by acting in a childish and even wild manner.

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. As shown by Lydia and Wickham’s engagement, some marriages are caused by the seeking of sensual pleasure. “… she (Elizabeth) was all surprise, all astonishment that Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he cold marry for money…but she was convinced that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. Austen describes these types of marriages through Darcy and Elizabeth. “He resigned all claim to assistance in the church…and accepted in return three thousand pounds…his life was a life of idl!

eness and dissipation. Lydia’s behavior is very appropriate and satirical, considering Wickham’s disreputable character.

Approximate Word count = 768
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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