Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice spends about a year, or twelvemonth, in the Bennet home discovering the depths of society. Set in England in the early 1800's, this book reads of the social standards during the Age of Enlightenment. It shows the emphasis on marriage, or, namely, whom you marry. This story consists of three marriages. The first is socially based, the second is based on mutual admiration between two people, and the third represents one man's love and fight for a woman. This novel shows how marriage and love can arrest or improve social status and how love overcomes adversity. The first marriage is that of the youngest Bennet, Miss Lydia. She is imprudent and spontaneous. On a trip to the home of her aunt and uncle, she elopes with Mr. Wickham, a militia man. Mr. Wickham has no intention of marrying her. This is a tragic social step. It is thought that the real motive for this elopement is not of love. To this Mrs. Gardiner then says, "It is really too great a violation of decency, honor, and interest, for him to be guilty of it" (375). Only a few chapters later, Mr. Wickham is persuaded financially to marry Miss Bennet. Neither has any way of supporting the intemperate lives they live. These two extravagant you
ng people do not, however, end happily. Mr. Bennet refuses to see his daughter after her marriage. Despite the financial help occasionally given by Jane Bingley and Elizabeth Darcy, they are rarely invited to see their family, as they often overstay their welcome. In the final chapter it is said, ". . . His affections for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer"(520). This marriage based entirely on an attraction between a good-looking, charming man and an impetuous, stupid girl of sixteen resulted in a poor social appearance and exclusion from many close family relations. Marriage and love are great social indicators. Should people marry whomever they love and forget society, love will overcome society. If society is only found through love, than society will be improved, but when love is found for society, society will fail the lovers. The next marriage is that of Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. This pair is a match from their first encounter. Jane is Mr. Bingley's obvious favorite. When they meet at a social function, they often enjoy many private conversations. Unfortunately, Miss Bingley has better social expectations for her brother. She pressures the household to quit Netherfield, a small esta
Some common words found in the essay are:
Elizabeth Rosings, Bourgh Lady, Elizabeth Darcy, Age Enlightenment, Miss Lydia, Bingley Jane, Netherfield Darcy, Bennet Neither, Miss Bingley, Jane Bingley's, de bourgh, bingley jane, lady de, lady de bourgh, marriage love, society society, jane bennet,
Approximate Word count = 828
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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