Pride and Prejudice, a novel by Jane Austen, details an epic love story of two people who overcame every obstacle to be together, Darcy and Elizabeth. This contrasts another relationship in the book between Mr. Collins and Charlotte whose marriage is socially acceptable. This brings up the question of which Austen considers to be the higher power, social grounds or love. The fact that Darcy and Elizabeth end up happily together despite many struggles suggests that Austen regards love as a higher power than any social power. Austen defines love as a unworldly power that overcomes all rules of society.
The non central characters represent what happens when one chooses social power over what Austen believes to be more important, love. Mr. Collins and Charlotte do not have a great love story like Darcy and Elizabeth. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins purely for his social class and money. Charlotte doesn't let her heart choose who she …show more content…
This supports the fact that love should come before any other factor in marriage. Austen subtly critiques the social views of that time by making the couple that follows them miserable “In as short a time as Mr. Collins's' long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.” This passage contains many statements that are overly dramatized in order to
The non central characters represent what happens when one chooses social power over what Austen believes to be more important, love. Mr. Collins and Charlotte do not have a great love story like Darcy and Elizabeth. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins purely for his social class and money. Charlotte doesn't let her heart choose who she …show more content…
This supports the fact that love should come before any other factor in marriage. Austen subtly critiques the social views of that time by making the couple that follows them miserable “In as short a time as Mr. Collins's' long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.” This passage contains many statements that are overly dramatized in order to