Love, Marriage and Interest Since the very beginning of the book, the most famous Jane Austen’s quote “ IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife,” welcomes the focus of love and marriage in the novel. During the Victorian Era, being in a happy marriage was more complicated than it may seem. People would not constantly marry because of love and affection, there was interest and ranks involved in a marriage. They would usually do this for stability and to ensure the family would escalate in rank or live richly and secure in wealth. In Pride and Prejudice, there were five couples, which clearly represented the power of interest and love and how it would affect the marriages.
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Charlotte was a homely and plain twenty-seven year old, and she was running out of hopes in finding a husband, since she was getting old for young men to propose. Charlotte only asked for a comfortable home, a higher social position, and better wealth when she decided to accept Collins's proposal, but she did not marry for love. “Mr. Collins… was neither sensible nor agreeable… But still he would be her husband… marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune.” (Chapter 22). Charlotte also once explained to Elizabeth, “ I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr.Collins character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people state.” (Chapter 22). Collins was much more in the same boat as Charlotte was. He did not know what love was, in fact, in the novel it almost looked like he transferred his feelings towards Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte, when he was refused by Elizabeth. Mr. Collins, with a very suitable home and a sufficient income, he only intended to marry because he could not stay a single man in his position as a clergyman. His reasons to marry were, “First… it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly… it will add very greatly to my happiness, and thirdly… that is particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness.” (Chapter 19). This marriage was solidly based on stability in life and
Charlotte was a homely and plain twenty-seven year old, and she was running out of hopes in finding a husband, since she was getting old for young men to propose. Charlotte only asked for a comfortable home, a higher social position, and better wealth when she decided to accept Collins's proposal, but she did not marry for love. “Mr. Collins… was neither sensible nor agreeable… But still he would be her husband… marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune.” (Chapter 22). Charlotte also once explained to Elizabeth, “ I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr.Collins character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people state.” (Chapter 22). Collins was much more in the same boat as Charlotte was. He did not know what love was, in fact, in the novel it almost looked like he transferred his feelings towards Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte, when he was refused by Elizabeth. Mr. Collins, with a very suitable home and a sufficient income, he only intended to marry because he could not stay a single man in his position as a clergyman. His reasons to marry were, “First… it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly… it will add very greatly to my happiness, and thirdly… that is particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness.” (Chapter 19). This marriage was solidly based on stability in life and