The opening lines of Jane Austen 's novel, Pride and Prejudice immediately address two of the piece 's central themes; marriage and wealth. In regards to the gentry and the aristocracy, the classes on which the novel is centred, the two ideas are correlated since one requires wealth to be married and marriage could provide wealth. However, while the novel is focused on a female protagonist and the lives of her sisters it does not open with "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a husband". By using the perspective of a female protagonist who questions society 's constructs around love, marriage and class Austen is able to provide a subtle criticism of the nineteenth century
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There is a little consistency between the Bennet girls, with the exception of Mary they are all considered reasonably attractive, as well as good tempered, moderately accomplished and while not entirely parallel with Darcy 's extensive list they are still thought desirable enough for three of them to be married at the end of the novel. When a potential candidate is being considered, these are all qualities that are taken into account if a woman in involved. The first thing always addressed when a male character is mentioned is their annual income. The reader knows almost right away that Darcy makes the most out of the three available men, providing an income of ten thousand a year, though his character means that while the promise of fortune is tantalizing he does not seem to be worth the aggravation given that he is described as "the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world"(7)). Bingley obviously holds the most appeal but given that he is "good looking and gentleman like" (6) and therefore the easiest prospect, there is a stiff competition for his attentions as seen by Mrs. Bennet 's worries in chapter one and the fuss he creates at the ball. Collins is entirely unlike both Bingley and Darcy, described as "not a sensible man" (52) and "absurd" (51) but after having acquired a fortune and making his way into the world Mrs. …show more content…
The strict expectations that existed in regards to gender are also present in regards to class. Darcy would have been considered the modern equivalent to a millionaire in his day and his interest in Elizabeth would have been highly unusual considering that "Mr. Bennet 's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year which...was entailed in default of heirs male" (20). This means that Elizabeth exists in an entirely different economic class than Darcy and that he would benefit very little from their union given that Elizabeth would not inherit anything from her father nor would her dowery be exceedingly large. The only thing Darcy would have to gain from their union would be the pleasure he has from Elizabeth 's company. Marrying for love was also considered unusual, as shown by the marriage between Charlotte and Collins. Theirs is a union of necessity on Charlotte 's part and she tells Elizabeth "I am not romantic...I ask only a comfortable home" (96). Charlotte is very much in a similar economic situation to that of Elizabeth, and her thoughts on marriage, which would have been recognized by the audience, were usual to a woman of the period. Elizabeth, being the heroine of a romance, would be considered slightly unusual and her opinions even more so were they to be reflect in
There is a little consistency between the Bennet girls, with the exception of Mary they are all considered reasonably attractive, as well as good tempered, moderately accomplished and while not entirely parallel with Darcy 's extensive list they are still thought desirable enough for three of them to be married at the end of the novel. When a potential candidate is being considered, these are all qualities that are taken into account if a woman in involved. The first thing always addressed when a male character is mentioned is their annual income. The reader knows almost right away that Darcy makes the most out of the three available men, providing an income of ten thousand a year, though his character means that while the promise of fortune is tantalizing he does not seem to be worth the aggravation given that he is described as "the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world"(7)). Bingley obviously holds the most appeal but given that he is "good looking and gentleman like" (6) and therefore the easiest prospect, there is a stiff competition for his attentions as seen by Mrs. Bennet 's worries in chapter one and the fuss he creates at the ball. Collins is entirely unlike both Bingley and Darcy, described as "not a sensible man" (52) and "absurd" (51) but after having acquired a fortune and making his way into the world Mrs. …show more content…
The strict expectations that existed in regards to gender are also present in regards to class. Darcy would have been considered the modern equivalent to a millionaire in his day and his interest in Elizabeth would have been highly unusual considering that "Mr. Bennet 's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year which...was entailed in default of heirs male" (20). This means that Elizabeth exists in an entirely different economic class than Darcy and that he would benefit very little from their union given that Elizabeth would not inherit anything from her father nor would her dowery be exceedingly large. The only thing Darcy would have to gain from their union would be the pleasure he has from Elizabeth 's company. Marrying for love was also considered unusual, as shown by the marriage between Charlotte and Collins. Theirs is a union of necessity on Charlotte 's part and she tells Elizabeth "I am not romantic...I ask only a comfortable home" (96). Charlotte is very much in a similar economic situation to that of Elizabeth, and her thoughts on marriage, which would have been recognized by the audience, were usual to a woman of the period. Elizabeth, being the heroine of a romance, would be considered slightly unusual and her opinions even more so were they to be reflect in