The novel, Pride and Prejudice opens with the statement, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (1). Jane Austen proposes this statement, yet through the course of the novel it seems as though she really implies the opposite; A single woman with no fortune needs a husband to improve her societal ranking. In this era, women possessed no fortune and they had to marry into wealth to be well of and have a good reputation. Jane Austen hints at the idea of feminism and voices her opinions about marital norms through character interactions and conversations. Set in the Regency Era, Pride and Prejudice implies the importance of marrying for financial security and societal ranking rather than love, underlining the importance of Austen’s feminist views portrayed in Elizabeth Bennet’s character.
As the mother of five unmarried daughters, Mrs. Bennett’s self-worth is dependent on marrying all of her daughters to well-off suitors. During the Regency Era, women were expected to be good wives and housemakers. Specifically for Mrs. Bennet, “the business of her life was to get her daughters married” (3). Her pride was dependent on whether or not her daughters marry, but specifically marry into wealth. When there were rumors around town about “a single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year” she remarks, “what a fine thing for our girls!” (1). She concludes that this man will be a great suitor for one of her daughters and is based on the amount of financial security he has to offer them. When her two daughters finally get married, “happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which [she] got rid of her two most deserving daughters. . . with delighted pride” (270). Up until this moment, she was lost in a world of anxiety and jealousy towards other women whose daughters are already married. The marriages of her daughters change Mrs. Bennet and allow her to feel accomplished and valued.
The lack of immense marital love between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet displays to their daughters that marrying for financial security is of the utmost importance. The Bennets’ relationship consists of an increased societal ranking for Mrs. Bennet and amusement for Mr. Bennet; “To his wife, he was very little otherwise indebted, than as her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement" (165). There was no real heart-throbbing love in this relationship. Mr. Bennet sees his wife as an anxiety induced, crazy, ignorant woman and enjoys joking with and teasing her. The Bennet girls grew up seeing this type of relationship and are constantly reminded of the advantages of marrying for wealth, as she did. Elizabeth is not “blind to the impropriety of her father’s behaviour as a husband” (165). While Elizabeth takes notes on her parent’s relationship, the other Bennet girls seem to find no fault in his behavior. This relationship serves as a foundation for how the Bennet girls, especially Elizabeth, view marriage.
When Elizabeth Bennet turns down the proposal from the most eligible suitor, Mr. Collins, due to her emotions and lack of love she receives societal disapproval. Mr. Collins is a well-off, stable man and the heir of Longbourne. Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth and she rejects his proposal despite his continued persistence. Elizabeth, who is smart and vivacious, does not want a relationship like her parents’. She believes that love is an essential part of marriage, which is why she rejects Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins states, “it does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy of your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life. . . highly in its favor; and you should take it into further consideration. . . another offer of marriage may ever be made you” (77). Mr. Collins, like other men, understand that women marry for wealth and status and is confused why his offer and belongings are insufficient to Elizabeth. Elizabeth is highly criticized and shamed by her mother for not accepting his offer. She explains if she goes around rejecting men, she will never have a husband. While Elizabeth finds no faults in turning down a loveless marriage proposal, Mrs. Bennet’s self-value is hurt.
After being rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas who accepts his marriage proposal and prioritizes financial security over marital love. Charlotte Lucas, a twenty-seven-year-old, is becoming regarded as old and her financial security is coming into question. Women in this era are not allowed to inherit land or money and need a man to provide for them. Charlotte realizes this and readily accepts Mr. Collins’ hand in marriage, only a day later than Elizabeth’s rejection. Both Elizabeth and Charlotte recognized that this marriage is based on money rather than love. Charlotte states, “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance” (15). Charlotte views marriage as a key factor in a woman’s life, vital to survival. Without a man, she, like many women in this era, believe that she is incapable of surviving. Throughout the course of her life, she has not thought “highly of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune” (87). This shows that women were told that their worth was dependent on marriage, which validates Charlotte’s reasons for accepting the marriage. This relationship portrays that financial security and societal ranking are prioritized over marital love.
While both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet forgo accepting societal suggestions and prejudice, their love of each other prevails. Mr. Darcy comes off as arrogant and proud and he gains a negative reputation amongst everyone. While Elizabeth first judges Darcy’s actions and dismisses them as rude, she comes to realize she actually loves him. Due to Mr. Darcy ’s elitist status and immense wealth, Lady Catherine de Bourgh wants her daughter to marry him. Although Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a woman that no one disagrees with, Elizabeth stands up to her and implies that her happiness is in her control. Upon the proposal, Elizabeth talks with Jane and says, “that we are to be the happiest couple in the world” (262). Elizabeth defines her happiness not by financial security, but rather marital love. Yet, Mrs. Bennet only recognizes that her daughter is marrying the most eligible suitor and speaks about “how rich and how great [Elizabeth] will be!” (262). Mrs. Bennet’s objections to Mr. Darcy’s character were quickly subsided and replaced with amiable thoughts when her daughter marries him. This shows that Mrs. Bennet is incapable of seeing past wealth due to societal norms. Jane Austen uses this relationship to hint at the idea of feminism by giving Elizabeth the voice to speak up and obtain true happiness.
Jane Austen builds up to the marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. In each prior marriage, Austen portrays the notion that marriage during the Regency Era was strictly for business and financial security. In each of these marriages and relationships, Elizabeth’s character was present offering a different perspective. Unwilling to accept the marital norms, Austen gives Elizabeth a feminist voice and opinions to shine a light on this idea. While Mrs. Bennet and Charlotte both adapt their views and accept that marriage is a necessity for survival, Elizabeth refuses to adapt her view and challenges this gender inequality. Elizabeth’s feminist perspective ultimately prevails and allows her to marry for love.