Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

In pride and prejudice there are three main marriages that are focused on. The marriage of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Lydia and Mr. Whickam, and Jane and Mr. Bingley. The marriage of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is very different from the marriage of Jane and Mr. Bingley. The reason that the marriages are so different is because they both married for different reasons. Elizabeth is The second daughter in the Bennet family, she very intelligent and witty. Elizabeth has very good qualities she is lovely, clever, and can hold conversations. These traits would make it seem like she lives in a high class society, but she lives in the middle class of society. Mr. Darcy whom she marries is the son of a wealthy family and the master of the great estate of Pemberly. He is Intelligent and witty also but he has the tendency to judge too hastily and harshly. Because of Darcy’s wealth from birth he looks down on people from lower social classes than him. It is easy to see that Elizabeth and Darcy have many things in common, which is necessary in a relationship that will work. Jane Austen first titled the book First Impressions, this title is relevant to their marriage because Darcy’s first impression against Elizabeth was to look down on her because she was not as wealthy as him. The title comes into play again when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth for the first time, Elizabeth said no because of the first impression she had on Darcy when he was being prejudice against her. “Elizabeth was much too embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” Elizabeth feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances.305” This quote was important because this was the second time Darcy proposed to Elizabeth and this is when the reader finds out that Elizabeth is marrying Darcy for love not because of money or property.

The other important marriage in the book is between Jane and Mr. Bingley. Jane is the sister of Elizabeth, she is the oldest and the most beautiful of the Bennett’s. Jane is more quite and shy that Elizabeth, but has never said anything bad about someone else and always thinks the best of others. Charles Bingley who is Darcy’s friend is also very wealthy but, sees no difference in people from different classes. Both of them are always cheerful, friendly and good natured. They fit together perfect, these are the two people that are thought to get married throughout the whole book. People would think that Jane wouldn’t be in love with Bingley rather than wanting to marry