Jane Austen presents changes in social status through marriage in Pride and Prejudice. Towards the beginning of the story, Mr. Darcy states, “it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world…” when he discusses the Bennet sisters with other people of high status (Austen 37). Mr. Darcy’s statement shows the small possibility of a girl of lower status marrying a man of a high status and wealth. During the nineteenth century, nearly all women of any status need to marry to be taken care of (Gao 385). High-class women need to marry to be cared for and to retain their high status (Gao 385). For a middle-class lady to live a happy life, she must marry well (Gao 384). An ideal man of this time has social
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Marriage is beneficial to both the male and female. The man inherits land and fortunes from his wife’s family. The woman is cared for by the man and may enjoy the luxuries of his wealth and estate if he is an upper class man. For example, Elizabeth is able to enjoy the luxuries of marrying Mr. Darcy, an upper class man. Another instance of the importance of inheritance and marriage occurs when Mr. Collins wants to marry one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. Mr. Collins is a cousin that will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennet dies. With the inheritance, Mr. Collins wants a wife and believes he will marry one of the Bennet sisters. Austen shows the importance of wealth and higher social statuses when looking at marriage in her story. Jane Austen is not attempting to persuade anyone to marry for money, but uses satire to point out the reasons why it is wise to marry with money and prevent a social and a financial downfall (Gao 386). If love enters the picture, it is a bonus on top of avoiding financial …show more content…
For example, Nelly Dean and Joseph play a vital role in the upbringing of the Earnshaw family’s children (Tytler 45). Nelly Dean acts as a housekeeper and Mr. Earnshaw’s confidant (Tytler 45). Since servants like Nelly Dean and Joseph are trusted with maintaining the higher class families’ estates and personal matters, they often insert their opinions. Some characters, such as Mr. Earnshaw, see great value in a servant’s opinion and rely on it. Other characters in Wuthering Heights choose to ignore a servant’s advice or see this opinion as a threat to their higher position. Although Nelly’s opinions as a servant are often ignored, she still sees her importance at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange and never wishes to have a position other than of service (Tytler 48). On the other hand, some servants slack off whenever the master is not around (Tytler 50). One example of a servant slacking off occurs when “Zillah is constantly gadding off to Gimmerton since Papa went” (Brontë 237). Some servants appreciate the respect they receive from their masters, while other servants act disobedient because they feel their lower-class status makes them worthless. Nelly appreciates her value and importance in the households she serves; however, Zillah is an example of a servant who lacks morals and ethics. It appears that the hierarchical system is the reason why some servants appear to be on
Marriage is beneficial to both the male and female. The man inherits land and fortunes from his wife’s family. The woman is cared for by the man and may enjoy the luxuries of his wealth and estate if he is an upper class man. For example, Elizabeth is able to enjoy the luxuries of marrying Mr. Darcy, an upper class man. Another instance of the importance of inheritance and marriage occurs when Mr. Collins wants to marry one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. Mr. Collins is a cousin that will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennet dies. With the inheritance, Mr. Collins wants a wife and believes he will marry one of the Bennet sisters. Austen shows the importance of wealth and higher social statuses when looking at marriage in her story. Jane Austen is not attempting to persuade anyone to marry for money, but uses satire to point out the reasons why it is wise to marry with money and prevent a social and a financial downfall (Gao 386). If love enters the picture, it is a bonus on top of avoiding financial …show more content…
For example, Nelly Dean and Joseph play a vital role in the upbringing of the Earnshaw family’s children (Tytler 45). Nelly Dean acts as a housekeeper and Mr. Earnshaw’s confidant (Tytler 45). Since servants like Nelly Dean and Joseph are trusted with maintaining the higher class families’ estates and personal matters, they often insert their opinions. Some characters, such as Mr. Earnshaw, see great value in a servant’s opinion and rely on it. Other characters in Wuthering Heights choose to ignore a servant’s advice or see this opinion as a threat to their higher position. Although Nelly’s opinions as a servant are often ignored, she still sees her importance at Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange and never wishes to have a position other than of service (Tytler 48). On the other hand, some servants slack off whenever the master is not around (Tytler 50). One example of a servant slacking off occurs when “Zillah is constantly gadding off to Gimmerton since Papa went” (Brontë 237). Some servants appreciate the respect they receive from their masters, while other servants act disobedient because they feel their lower-class status makes them worthless. Nelly appreciates her value and importance in the households she serves; however, Zillah is an example of a servant who lacks morals and ethics. It appears that the hierarchical system is the reason why some servants appear to be on