Pride and Prejudice 4

A detailed Summary of Pride and Prejudice 4

Throughout Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the conflict between reason and emotion is conveyed through the marriage of several different characters. In the marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, it is quite clear that the two have never experienced much love and is done mostly for financial benefit and out of infatuation. Similarly, the marriage between Charlotte and Mr. Collins is done out of convenience, but unlike Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the two do not seem to mind the lack of passion in their relationship. However, the marriage of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is a perfect example of matrimony where there is a strong bond of love. The unity of Elizabeth and Mr.Darcy is Austen's ideal marriage because of their inherent passion and mutual respect for one another.

The marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet demonstrates the struggle amid reason and emotion, or lack there of. Mrs. Bennet's motivation in marrying Mr. Bennet is knowing that he will be able to provide for her with his wealth. Their marriage is extremely dull since the two cannot even communicate with each other. "Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to

Mr. Darcy too, shares the same feelings of fondness towards Elizabeth. In fact, when Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth he tells of "how ardently I admire and love you" (Austen 123) in spite of "the inferiority of your connections" (Austen 125). Although Mr. Darcy's explanation is far from romantic, it does demonstrate how in love he is with Elizabeth since he is willing to overlook her family's shortcomings. Furthermore, when news of Lydia's shocking elopement is known by all, Mr. Darcy aides Elizabeth's family by making sure that the Lydia's marriage takes place so that no further shame is brought to the family. This courageous act on Mr. Darcy's part proves how much affection he has for Elizabeth since he is willing to provide assistance for a family who is not only of a lower social class, but more importantly he assists a man whom he abhors vehemently.

The implementation of marriage in Pride and Prejudice helps to present the struggle between reason and emotion. The unity of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well as Mr. and Mrs. Collins demonstrate the lack of rationalism and sentiment within these marriages. On the contrary, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's marriage is a perfect example of matrimony where reason and emotion are at equilibrium. Through these marriages, Jane Austen shows how the only acceptable marriage is one where there is a balance between respect and love.

Unlike the marriages of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Collins, the matrimony of Elizabeth and Darcy is based on entirely different reasons. It exemplifies a marriage where there is perfect balance between reason and emotion. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy admire each other's mind and not just one another's external beauty and financial soundness. This can be seen when Elizabeth rejects Mr. Darcy's first proposal because at the time she is repulsed at "your conceit and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others" (Austen 126). Such an event proves that Elizabeth must have highly regarded Mr. Darcy since she refuses to marry him the first time despite his attractive appearance and profound wealth. Moreover, Mr. Darcy definitely holds Elizabeth in the highest of regards since almost no one is to his pleasing. He even op

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Approximate Word count = 1489
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English