Characterreflectsone'smarriageorattitudestowardslove
-----FourdifferentmarriagesinPrideandPrejudice
Outline
Thesissentence:JaneAusten,bydescribingfourdifferentmarriagesinPrideandPrejudice,expressedherviewpointthatone’scharacteroftenreflectshisorhermarriageandattitudestowardslove.
ThecombinationofvulgarCollinsandmediocreCharlotteresultsinadespicablemarriage.
Collinsisavulgar,pompousandrapaciousmanwhoissubservienttohisparsonessandalwaysarrogantbeforehisinferiors.
HispompousandrapaciouscharacterdeterminesthathisproposaltoElizabethisafailure.
HisvulgarandservilecharacterandhisridiculousconceptofloveleadtohisquickmarriagewithCharlotte.
Charlotteisavainandmediocregirl.
HermediocrecharacterandperceptionresultinhermarriagewithCollins
.
Hervaincharacterbringsaboutherfalsedescriptionofhermarriedlife.
ThecombinationofdissoluteWickhameandempty-mindedLydiaresultsinasex-orientedmarriage.
Wickhameisadissoluteandcunningvillainwhoischangeableinhisloveandcrazyaboutmoney.
1.Heisathoroughgoingmoney-pursuerandloveimposter,
whichdeterminesthetransferofhislovefrompoor
ElizabethtowealthyMiss.King.
2.Hismeancharacterandcontemptiblebehaviorbringabout
hiselopementwithLydia.
Lydiaisanempty-mindedanduncertainflirtwhoalways
seeksherownfunandsexualexcitement.
Herdissipationandfoolishnessleadtoherromanticdeeds
withofficialsinMeryton.
2.Herignoranceanddissipationleadtoherelopementwith
Wickhame.
C.Theirmarriagerepresentscapitulationtopersonalclaims.
ThecombinationofpleasantBingleyandmildJaneresultsinahappymarriage.
Bingleyisacordialandsimpleyoungmanwhoiseasytoapproachandconstantinlove,buthelacksstrengthandindependenceinhismarriage.
1.Hiscordialandsimplecharacterandhisattitudestowards
loveleadtohisquietromancewithJane.
2.Hisweakandeasily-ledcharacterleadtohispartingwith
Jane.
Janeisakindandmildgirlwithintroverteddisposition.Sheisconstantinherlovebutlacksstrengthandself-confidence.
1.Herkindandmildcharacterandherattitudestowardslove
determinehersteadyromancewithBingley.
2.Shelacksstrengthandself-confidence,whichmakesher
readilybelievethatBingleyloveshernomore.
C.Theirmarriageishappy.
ThecombinationofdecentDarcyandsensibleElizabethresultsinasuccessfulmarriage.
Darcyisagoodmanofintegritywithproudappearance.Heisconstantinhisloveandwillingtomakesacrificeforhislover.
HistruelovetoElizabethleadstohisfirstproposaltoElizabethregardlessofherhumblefamilyandherinferiorposition.
HisdecentcharacterandtruelovetoElizabethresultinthefactthathedidhisutmosttorescueWickhameandLydiafromtheirtrouble.
Elizabethisanintelligentandsensiblegirl,whoisself-dignifiedandpronetohastyjudgements.Sheisalsobraveanddiscreetinherlove.
Herintelligence,braveryanddiscretioninlovebringaboutthefactthatsherefusedCollins’firstproposalagainsthermother’swill.
Thefactthatsheisself-dignifiedandpronetohastyjudgementleadstoherrefusalofDarcy’sproposal.
Hersensibilityandrightloveconceptbringabouthersuccessfulmarriage.
C.Theirmarriageleadstoareconciliationofpersonaland
socialclaims.
Characterreflectshisorhermarriageandattitudestowardslove
----fourdifferentmarriagesinPrideandPrejudice
AmongallthenovelswrittenbyJaneAusten,PrideandPrejudicehasbeenvaluedasthemostsuccessfulandpopularmasterpiece.Thisnovelispeopledwithcharactersofherownsocialclass:Theladiesandgentlemenofthelandedgentry.Theplotofthisnovelrevolvearoundtheintricaciesofcourtshipandmarriagebetweenmembersofherclass,whichisgreatattractiontomanyreaders.DeeplyimpressedbyfourdifferentmarriagesinPrideandPrejudice,Imadeananalysisofthosefourtypesofmarriagesandcametoanconclusionthatone’scharacterreflectshisorhermarriageandtheirattitudestowardsmarriage.Thefourcouples,variedintheircharacters,presenteduswithfourdifferentdistinctmarriages.
ThefirstmarriagepresentedbeforeusisthemarriageofCollinsandCharlotte.Collinswasaconceitedandfoolishyoungman.HewouldinherittheestateofLongbourn,thepropertyofMr.Bennetuponhisdeath,whichamountstodeprivingfivedaughtersofMr.Bennetofeverything.Therefore,thefivedaughterswouldhavenotenoughmoneytosupporttheirlifeunlesstheyareluckyenoughtomarrywell-to-dohusbands.Collinswasvulgarandservile,seldomopenshismouthwithoutmentioninghispatroness,LadyCatherinedeBourgh.Her“affabilityandcondescension”(JaneAusten58)issoimpressiveuponhimthathefeltgreatlyflatteredonlyby“hervisitinhishumbleparsonage”.(JaneAusten59)
Collinswaspompousandnarrow-mindedmanwhoneverpossesshisownconceptionoflove,heintendstogetmarriedmerelybecauseitwastheparticularadviceandrecommendationofLadyCatherinedeBourgh.Tobeginwith,hemadeuphismindtomarryoneofthedaughtersofMr.BennetasawayofreconciliationwiththeLongbournfamily.ThebeautifulJane,undoubtedly,ishisfirstchoice.ButwhenhewasinformedthatJanehadbeenprivatelyengaged,heswiftlychangeJanetoElizabeth,whois“equallynexttoJaneinbirthandbeauty”(JaneAusten62).Nomutualacquaintanceandlovebetweeneachother.MarriagetoCollinswasonly“arightthingforeveryclergymanineasycircumstances”and“advicefromLadyCatherinedeBourgh”(JaneAusten95).JaneAustengaveusafullstatementofhisbackgroundandcharacter.“Mr.Collinswasnotasensibleman,andthedeficiencyofnaturehadbeenbutlittleassistedbyeducationorsociety.Thegreatestpartofhislifehavingbeenspentundertheguidanceofanilliterateandmiserlyfather,andthoughhebelongedtooneoftheuniversities,hehadmerelykeptthenecessaryterms,withoutformingatitanyusefulacquaintance.Thesubjectioninwhichhisfatherhadbroughthimup,hadgivenhimoriginallygreathumilityofmanner,butitwasnowagooddealcounteractedbytheself-conceitofaweakhead,livinginretirement,andtheconsequentialfeelingofearlyandunexpectedprosperity.”And“therespectwhichhefeltforherhighrank,andhisvenerationforherashispatroness,minglingwithaverygoodoptionofhimself,ofhisauthorityasaclergyman,andhisrightsasarectormadehimaltogetheramixtureofprideandobsequiousness,self-importanceandhumility.”(JaneAusten61)
HischaractercanbevividlyreflectedinhisfirstproposaltoElizabethanddeterminesthathiscourtwasafailure.WearenotsurprisedathisfailurewhenwereadhisridiculousproposaltoElizabeth:“Butthefactis,thatbeing,asIam,toinheritthisestateafterthedeathofyourhonoredfather.Icouldnotsatisfymyselfwithoutresolvingtochooseawifefromamonghisdaughters,thatthelosstothemmightbeaslittleaspossible,whenthemelancholyeventtakesplace.”(JaneAusten95)Howrapaciousandpompousheis!Toacquirethewealthaswellasawife!Whataridiculousideaofhismarriageconceptionitwas!
HavingbeenrefusedbyElizabeth,hequicklymarriesCharlotte.“InasshorttimeasMrCollins’longspeecheswouldallow,everythingwassettledbetweenthemtothesatisfactionofboth.”(MordecaiMarcus274)WecanseefromherethathislovetoCharlottewasbynomeanssincereandgenuine.ToCollins,Charlottewastheonlychoicehecouldmake.Hewastheverymanwhowasincapableofnormalpersonalfeelings.Hiswholecharacterhasbeenabsorbedbyhissocialmask,andherelatesonlyhissocialselftoothersocialsurfaces.ThusCollinsdidnotexactlycapitulatetosocialclaims,forheneverrecognizedpersonalclaims,andhewasblindtothefactthathisownpersonalclaimsweredistortedsocialclaims.Abriefanalysisofhiscombinationofarroganceandservilitywillexplainthisdistortion.Collinsvaluedonlysocialpower,andsohesoughtsecuritybycringingbeforehissuperiors.Tohispotentialinferiorshewasarrogantandrude,whichbehaviorexpressedangeratthosewhowouldnotrecognizehissocialpowerandvindincativecompensationforhiscring.Aslongasawifecouldbesettled,itdoesn’tmatterwhetheritwasCharlotteorElizabethoranyoneelse.
Charlotteseemstomeisamediocreandvainyounglady.SheacceptedCollinssolelyfromthepureanddisinteresteddesireofanestablishment.HermediocreperceptionandeagernesstogetmarriedpreventherfromdetectingCollins’pomposityandfoolishness.Wecanalsoseeherattitudestowardsloveandmarriagefromherwords“Happinessinmarriageisentirelyamatterofchance.Ifthedispositionsofthepartiesareeversowellknowntoeachother,oreversosimilarbefore-hand,itdoesn’tadvancetheirfelicityintheleast.Theyalwayscontrivetogrowsufficientlyunlikeafterwardstohavetheirshareofvexation;anditisbettertoknowaslittleaspossibleofthedefectsofthepersonwithwhomyouaretopassyourlife.”(JaneAusten110)Thatisherideaofmarriage,whichaccountsforherquickmarriagewithCollins.Besides,Collinsistheonlyalternativetopenuryandsocialisolation.
Charlotte’slettersabouthermarriedlifetoElizabethfullyrevealedhervaincharacter.She(Charlotte)wrotecheerfully,seemedsurroundedwithcomforts,andmentionednothingthatshecouldnotpraise.Thehouse,furniture,neighborhood,androads,werealltohertaste,andLadyCatherine’sbehaviorwasmostfriendlyandobliging.SheknewthatElizabethhadlookeddownuponherforherchoice,asnoonecouldunderstandthestrangenessofMr.Collins’makingtwooffersofmarriagewithinthreedaysand“anywomanwhomarriesCollins,aconceited,pompous,narrow-minded,sillyman,can’thaveaproperwayofthinking.”(JaneAusten110)Actually,shemarriesforthesakeofmarriagebutshepretendstobehappy.CharlotteispitiableandCollinsiscontemptible.“Theirmarriagepresentsacompleteabandonmentofpersonalclaimsinfavorofsocialclaims.”(MordecaiMarcus275)
ThecombinationofdissoluteWickhameandempty-mindedLydiaresultsinasex-orientedmarriage.
Wickhamefirstappearsusasaverycharmingfellow.Buthischaracter,onthecontrary,wasmeanandwicked.“Acuriousdegreeofsexualattractionoftengoeswithalively,unreliabledisposition,whichmayeitherbesomewhatsuperficialbutperfectlywell-meaning,ordrivenbycircumstancewhichithasnotthestrengthtowithstand,becomethatofascoundrel.”(DouglasBush591)Wickhamewaswellonthewaytobeingascoundrel;buthissexualfascinationwassogreatthatElizabethBennet,whowasnormallyofaverycriticalturnofmind,sawatfirstabsolutelynothinginhimbutmadehimseemthemostcharmingmanhehadevermet.Wickham’sconstantattentiontoElizabethmadeherfeelsurethatshewasinlovewithhim.Wickham’slove,however,wasshort-lived.Soonafterhewasreportedtocourtanotherlady,MissKing,whopossessedtenthousandpounds.Asharpcontrastemergedbetweenhisagreeableappearanceandmeancharacter.Heregardedloveasnothingbutatooltoacquirewealth.
HiselopementwithLydiaisverysudden.Itreallyleavesussomeroomstocontemplatehisrealmotivation.Lydiawasnotrich.ItseemedthatWickhame’selopementwithherwasbeyondunderstanding.Nevertheless,furtherreadingclarifiestheobscurityandtellsushiswholecharacter.Therearetwomotivationsbehindit:1.Hewasadissolutemanwhoneverceasedseekingsexualpassion.2.Heavailedhimselfofachancetofleehiscreditors.HisflightwasrenderednecessarybydistressofcircumstancesratherthanbyhisaffectiontoLydia.
Lydiawasastout,well-growngirloffifteen,afavoritewithhermother,whoseaffectionhadbroughtherintopublicatanearlyage.Shehadhighanimalspirits,andasortofnaturalself-consequence,whichtheattentionsoftheofficials,towhomheruncle’sgooddinnersandherowneasymannersrecommendedher,hadincreasedintoassurance.Lydiawasanempty-mindedanduncertainflirtwhoneverceasedseekingherownfunandsexualexcitement.Theonlyinterestsinherlifeweretoflirtwithred-coatedofficialsinamilitiaregimentintheneighborhood.Lydia’smindsweremorevacantthantheirsisters’,andwhennothingbetteroffered,awalktoMerytonwasnecessarytoamusetheirmorninghoursandfurnishconservationfortheevening.And“Lydia,withperfectindifference,continuedtoexpressheradmirationofCaptionCarter,andherhopeofseeinghiminthecourseoftheday,ashewasgoingthenextmorningtoLondon.”(JaneAusten58)Shewassotemperamentalthatshecriedbitterlywhensheheardthatred-coatedofficialswouldleavethelocaltownandrejoicedwhensomenewred-coatedofficialscomein.
AsLydiawasyoungandempty-minded,shenevergiveloveaseriousandproperconsideration.Herthirstsforcarnaldesireandunrestrainedlifedeterminehersex-orientedmarriage,Wickhamewasseductiveandpleasingoutwardly,butmeananddirtyinwardly.WhileLydia,foolishanddissipated,onlyenchantedbyhisgloriousappearance,seenothingofhisrealintentionandpersonality.“AttheoppositeextremetoCollinsandCharlotte,WickhameandLydia,whoyieldalmostcompletelytopersonalclaims”(MarkSchorer72)
ThecombinationofpleasantBingleyandmildJaneleadstoahappymarriage.
Bingleywasapopularpersoninthenovel.Hehadapleasantcountenanceandeasyunaffectedmanners.Wesoonfoundthathewasagreeablebothinappearanceandcharacter.InthefirstballatNetherfield,webegantomakeacquaintanceofhispersonalitythroughhisbehavior.“MrBingleyhadsoonmadehimselfacquaintedwithalltheprincipalpeopleintheroom,hewaslivelyandunreserved,dancedeverydance,wasangrythattheballclosedsoearly,andtalkedofgivingonehimselfatNetherfield.Suchamiablequalitiesmustspeakforthemselves”(JaneAusten79)ThesepersonalstrengthcertainlywonJane’sadmiration,shethoughtthatHewasjustwhatayoungmanoughttobe,andsensible,good-humored,lively,andsheneversawsuchhappymanners!–somuchease,withperfectgoodbreeding!Bingley’fallsinlovewithJaneattheirfirstballandtheirromanceflourishesquietlyandsteadily.HisaffectiontowardsJanewasobviouslysincereandunaffected.WhenJanesufferedanillnesshisanxietyforJanewasevident,andhisattentionstoherselfmostpleasing.And“diffusenessandwarmthremainedforBingley’ssalutation.Hewasfullofjoyandattention.Thefirsthalf-hourwasspentinpilingupthefire,lestsheshouldsufferfromthechangeofroom,andsheremovedathisdesiretotheothersideofthefire-place,thatshemightbefartherfromthedoor.Hethensatdownbyher,andtalkedscarcelytoanyoneelse.”(JaneAusten104)WecanfeelBingley’srealconcernandaffectiontowardsJanefromthesedetails.Hewascordialandconstantinhislove.
Pleasantandmodestashewas,Bingleywasfarfromthemanwhowasstronganddetermined.Whentheirromancewentsmoothly,hissuddendeparturenearlyendshishappylove.ThecauseofhisdeparturestemsfromhisrelationshipwithDarcy.BingleywasendearedtoDarcybytheeasiness,openness,ductilityofhistemper,thoughnodispositioncouldofferagreatcontrasttohisown,andthoughwithhisown,heneverappeareddissatisfied.OnthestrengthofDarcy’sregard,Bingleyhadthefirmestreliance,andofhisjudgementthehighestopinion.HisattachmenttoJanewasobvious,buthewassomodestandpliablethathebelievedDarcy’srepresentationofJane’sindifference;which,addedDarcy,hegenuinelybelievedhimself.DarcysawthatJanelikedBingley,buthedidnotbelievehertobeinlove,andthereforeliabletobeinjuredexceptinaworldlysensebyBingley’swithdrawal.WecanseethispointfromhislettertoElizabeth:“Her(Jane)lookandmannerswereopen,cheerfulandengagingasever,butwithoutanysymptomofpeculiarregard,andIremainedconvincedfromtheevening,thatthoughshereceivedhisattentionswithpleasure,shedidnotinvitethembyanyparticipationofsentiment.”(JaneAusten127)UndertheinfluenceofMr.Darcy,BingleybegantodoubtJane’saffectiontohim,heleftherwithoutsayinggood-bye.Later,whenallmisunderstandingclarified,hecamebacktoJaneatDarcy’sassistance.Bingley’sindecisivecharacterdeterminesthathishappinesswerecontrolledbyothers.
Janewasthemostmild,kindandmodestgirlinthisnovel.Hercharacterisvividlyshowedinmanypartsofthenovel.“Complimentsalwaystakeyou(Jane)bysurprise,andme(Elizabeth)never”and“Oh,You(Jane)areagreatdealtooaptyouknow,tolikepeopleingeneral,youneverseeafaultinanybody,alltheworldaretoogoodandagreeableinyoureyes.I(Elizabeth)neverheardyouspeakillofahumanbeinginmylife.”(GeorgeSaintsbury194)WecanseefromherethatitisquitenaturalforJane,sokindandinnocent,fallslovewiththepleasantandsimpleBingley.SheadoredBingleyverymuch.Buthertranquilityandintroversionnearlyconsumedherfelicity.Janewassoexcessivelydemurethatevenwhenherheartwasflutteringwithromanticpassion,hermannershowedonlygenteelpleasureandpoliteness.ItwasgenerallyevidentthatJanewasyieldingtothepreferencewhichshehadbeguntoentertainforhimfromthefirst,andwasinawaytobeverymuchinlove;butsheconsideredwithpleasurethatitwasnotlikelytobediscoveredbytheworldingeneral,sinceJaneunitedwithgreatstrengthofafeeling,acomposureoftemperandauniformcheerfulnessofmanner,whichwouldguardherfromthesuspiciousoftheimpertinent.JanecherishedherfeelingstowardsBingley,yetshechosetoconcealit.Shetriedtocontrolherpassion,lestanyonefindit.Darcy,therefore,coulddetectnoattachmentsfromhersereneappearanceandformstheideathatBingleywasinvolvedinanunrequitedlove.Then,greateffortswereensuredtoseparateBingleyfromJane.
HavingbeeninformedofBingley’sdeparture,Janewasingreatdistress.Butshepretendedtobeallrightandsaidnothingabouthersadness.Herweaknessandobediencehadbeenthoroughlyexposednow.“‘Youdoubtme’,criedJane,slightlycoloring“Indeedyouhavenoreason.HemayIliveinmymemoryasthemostamiablemanofmyacquaintance,butthatisall.Ihavenothingeithertohopeorfear,andnothingtoreproachhimwith.ThankGod!Ihavenotthatpain.Alittletimetherefore–Ishallcertainlytrytogetthebetter.’”That’sallherinterpretationandsolutionstothewoundoflove,“alittletime”(JaneAusten134)caneasehermind,cureherwound.Whatapassiveattitudetowardsloveitis!Theyfinallygotmarriedandlivedhappilyeverafter,whichweretheresultsofDarcyandElizabeht’sefforts.AsIanalyzedbeforethatWickhameandLydia’smarriagerepresentscapitulationtopersonalclaims.ItisdifficulttofitBingleyandJaneintothispatternbecauseimmobility,notcapitulationorprogressiveadjustment,characterizesthemuntiltheyareunitedbyoutsideforces.Theymay,however,beconnectedtothepatternbynotingthattheypossesstraitsnecessaryforadjustmentbutdonotseethisuntilitispointedouttothem.Theyarealsorelatedtothepatternbytheirinabilitytoassertpersonalclaimsandresistcertainsocialclaims,whichinabilityresultsinpassivityratherthaninadjustmentorcapitulation.Inthethematicstructuretheycanbeplacedtowardsthecenter,butbelowDarcyandElizabethinarealmofimpercipience,passivity,andchance.
ThecombinationofdecentDarcyandsensibleElizabethresultsinasuccessfulmarriage.Igivethismarriagemuchpreferenceovertheotherones,asitisagreatinspirationtousandanidealonewearelookingfor.Darcyfirstappearstousasahandsomebutveryproudperson,coldandill-mannered.“Darcysoondrawtheattentionoftheroombyhisfine,tallperson,handsomefeature,noblemien.”And“hewaslookedatwithgreatadmirationforabouthalftheevening,tillhismannersgaveadisgustwhichturnedthetideofhispopularity;forhewasdiscoveredtobeproud,tobeabovehiscompany,orabovebeingpleased!”(WuWeren125)Asamatteroffact,hewasagoodman,amanofintegrity,withthesombreattractivenessofawickedone.HislovetoElizabeth,nourishedbyday-to-dayencounterswithher,grewsteadilyandquickly.HeadmiredElizabethforherintelligenceanddisposition,triedtounderstandherbyeverypossiblemeans.Themoreheunderstood,themorehelovedher.HisfirstproposaltoElizabethistheculminationofthewholenovel.Darcy.Sufferedbyhislong-suppressedfeeling,decidedtomakeaproposaltoElizabeth.Itwasnoeasythingforhimtocourtherregardlessofherhumblefamilyandherinferiorposition.ButhisardentadmirationforElizabethbeatshisconsciousnessandsocialposition.Whilehisarrogancespoiledthechanceofbeingaccepted.Hechosetotellherthathelikedheragainsthischaracter,againsthiswillandreason.Hissenseofherinferiority,ofitsbeingadegradation,ofthefamilyobstaclesseriouslyoffendedElizabeth.Sosheindignantlyhurledhisproposalbackinhisface.Embarrassedandruffled,hedidn’tlosethecontrolofhimself,heactedlikearealgentleman,heaskedElizabethtoforgivehimforhavingtakenupsomuchofhertime,andaccepthisbestwishesforherhealthandhappiness.HislovetoElizabeth,undoubtedly,wasardentandsincere,evenElizabethherselfwasquiteastonishedathiscourtandsorryforthepainhehadsuffered.“Herastonishment,asshereflectedonwhathadpassed,wasincreasedbyeveryreviewofit.ThatsheshouldreceiveanofferofmarriagefromDarcy!Thatheshouldhavebeeninlovewithherforsomanymonths!Somuchinloveastowishtomarryherinspiteofalltheobjectionwhichhadpreventedhisfriend’smarryinghersister,andmustappearatleasewithequalforceinhisowncase,wasalmostincredible!”(JaneAusten174)
Darcy’ssteadycharacterandnoblemindsdeterminethathislovewasnotmereovernight’simpulse.Afterhavingbeenaccusedofarroganceandselfishofthefeelingsofothers,Darcydecidedtomakeachangeofhimself.InordertowinthefavourableimpressionofElizabeth,heinvitedElizabeth,herauntanduncletovisithisPemberley.NoeffortssparedonthepartofDarcy,wecanfindhismannersremarkablyimprovedandhisbehaviorstrikinglyaltered!Thatheshouldevenspeaktoherwasamazing!–buttospeakwithsuchcivility,toinquireafterherfamily!Neverinherlifehadsheseenhismanners,solittledignified,neverhadhespokenwithsuchgentlenessastothisunexpectedmeeting.WhatacontrastdiditoffertohislastaddressinRosing’spark,whenheputhisletterintoherhand!Sheknewnotwhattothinknorhowtoaccountforit!Ofcourse,shecouldaccountforit!Lovewastherealcauseofallthoseamazingalternations.
WecangetabetterunderstandingofDarcy’scharacterthroughLydiaWickhame’scase.HecertainlyhaddeepaversiontoWickhameforhehadseducedhissisterinvainandslanderedhimmaliciously.However,hisaffectionforElizabethoutweighedanythingelse.HedidhisutmosttorescueL:ydiaandWickhamefromtheirtrouble.HemetLydiaandWickhameseveraltimes,extricatethemfromtheirdebtsandassistthemintheirmarriage.Withoutconsiderationofhumiliationandsocialposition,hedidallthesethingssecretlyandconsciously.TheonlymotiveheprofessedwasthathisconvictionofitsbeingowingtohimselfthatWickhame’sworthlessnesshadnotbeensowell-known,astomakeitimpossibleforanyyoungwomenofcharacter,toloveorconfideinhim.Butwewerealldeeplytouchedbytherealmotivebehindthis.
Elizabethismyfavoriteheroine.“Shewasayoungwomanverymuchaddictedtomakingspeeches,verypertoften,fondofhavingthelastword,andpronetohastyjudgements,withreallynothingbutherprettinessandacertainsharpsmartnessoftalktorecommendher.”(Margaretoliphant290)Shewasself-dignifiedandsensible,valuedtrueloveassomethingnobleandlofty,butnevertradeself-esteemwithlove,nevertrademoneywithlove.
HerrefusalofCollins’pompousproposalisamirror,whichreflects,forthefirsttime,herperceptionandcharacter,andherattitudestowardslove.Elizabethlivedinanacquisitivesociety,asocietywhichtreatsapennilessoldmaidlessasajokethanasanexasperatingburdenuponherfamily.Elizabeth,ifshewerenotluckyenoughtomarryarichman,wouldhavenotenoughmoneytosupportherfuturelife,whichshewasfullyaware.Nevertheless,sheturneddownCollins’proposalagainsthermother’swill.Becausenoloveeverexistedbetweenthem.Collinsfoolishnessandfalsenesssickenedher.WehavealreadyobservedtheinsistentsignificanceoftheentailandCollins,whowouldinherittheestatewhenBennetdied.InproposingtoElizabeth,themagnanimousCollinssaidthatheknewthatshewould,afterherfather’sdeath,hadnomorethanathousandpoundsinthefourpercents.Suchhieroglyphics,whichCollinsaskedtothreatenElizabeth,butnothingcouldshakeherfirmness.Herchoiceprovedtobewiselater.CollinsthenmarriedCharlotte,whosemarriagewasconsideredbyElizabethasunaccountableandridiculous.ShethoughtthatCollinswasaconceited,pompous,narrow-minded,sillymanandthatwomanwhomarriedhim,couldn’thaveaproperwayofthinking.
ThencametheproposalofDarcy,yetherprejudicesagainstDarcyensuredthesameresults.TherewerethreethingsElizabethseriouslyholdsagainstDarcy:ShethoughthehadspoiledJane’schanceswithBingley;thathehaddonethisbecausehedespisedthesocialpositionofthefamily,andthathehadruinedWickhame’scareerwithoutduecause.Inspiteofdeeply-rooteddislike,shecouldnotbeinsensibletothecomplimentofsuchaman’saffection,andthoughherintentionsdidnotvaryforaninstant,shewasatfirstsorryforthepainhewastoreceive.Obviously,Darcy’sproposalwasmoreimpressingthanthatofCollins,asitderivedfromthetrueaffection.ButhishaughtywordsinsultedElizabeth’sself-esteem.Shewasbynomeanstosacrificeherself-respecttoacceptDarcy’scourt.Shehurledhisproposalsharplyanddecidedlyinhisface.“IhadnotbeenforamonthbeforeIfeltthatyouwerethelastmanintheworldwhomIcouldeverbeprevailedontomarry.”(JaneAusten154)Ruffledandvexedashewas,hewasstillimpressedbyhercourageandfrankness.Asamatteroffact,herharshrefusalofDarcy’sproposalincreasedhisadmirationinsteadofreducinghispassions.
Elizabeth,however,wasawittyandsensiblelady.ShetriedtofindtherealcharacterofDarcythroughherownobservationandunderstanding.Later,shewasinvitedtovisitPemberley,Darcy’shome.AtPemberley,Elizabeth’sunderstandingofDarcydeepened.Shenevertookanybody’swordslightlywithoutgivingthemherproperconsideration.HavingbeeninformedofDarcy’sgreatassistanceinWickhameandLydia’scaseandWickhame’struecharacter,Elizabethbecamemorefavorablyinclinedtohimthaneverbefore.
ThencametheLadyCatherine’svisit.ShewasDarcy’saunt,andcametoclarifytherumorthatDarcyhadengagedwithElizabeth.HopingtomarryherowndaughtertoDarcy,shehadchargeddownwithcharacteristicbadmannerstoorderElizabethnottoaccepthisproposal.ThespiritedgirlwasnottobeintimidatedbythebullyingLadyCatherineandcoollyrefusedtopromisenottomarryDarcy.“Ifthereisnootherobjectiontomymarryingyournephew,IshouldcertainlynotbekeptfromitbyknowingthathismotherandauntwishedhimtomarryMissDeBourgh.Youbothdidasmuchasyoucouldinplanningthemarriage.Itscompletiondependedonothers.IfDarcyisneitherbyhonornorinclinationconfinedtohiscousin,whyisnothetomakeanotherchoice?AndifIamthatchoice,whymaynotIaccepthim?”(JaneAusten231)
Finally,ElizabethmarriedDarcy,areallysuccessfulmarriage.
CollinsandCharlotteseemassuredofamoreorlessindispensablesocialequilibriumwhichWickhameandLydialack.WickhameandLydia’smarriagebasedongreatsexualsatisfaction.TherelationshipbetweenBingleyandJaneprovidesthenovelwithlessmovementthandoCollins-CharlotteandWickhame–Lydia,butitprovidesmoresubtleandperhapsmorerevealingcontraststotheDarcy–Elizabethrelationship.ThecontrastbetweenBingley–JaneandDarcy–Elizabethenablesustofeelpoiganantmodulationseachtimewecompareonecouplewiththeother.BingleyandJanepossesspersonalattractivenessanddignity,socialgraces,andameasureofgoodsense,buttheylackinsight,strength,andself-confidence.Jane’sindifferencetowardsBingleyandherquicknesstobelievethathehaslostinterestinhershowinabilitytoassertpersonalclaimsandtoresistexcessivesocialclaims.Bingleysimilarlylacksself-confidence,andheyieldseasilytocriticismofJane’ssocialposition.Ifwecan’timagineBingleyandJaneactingmuchdifferently,weatleastarestronglyconcernedandsympatheticwiththeirweakness;wewishthattheyhadthestrengthofDarcyandElizabeth.UnlikeBingley-Jane,Darcy–Elizabetharedeepandstrongenoughtohopeforeachother’scontinuedaffectionevenaftercircumstanceshavebornestrongevidenceagainstit.Also,theyareabletostandupagainstexcessivesocialclaims.DarcybecomeswillingtoassociatehimselfwiththeBennetfamily(LadyCatherine’soppositionisamuchslighterobstacle).Althoughtheexcessivesocialclaims,whichElizabethmustresistmightbeslighter,theyarenotnegligible.First,shemustresistanoverbearingverbalstormfromLadyCatherine(whichsurelywouldcrushaJane),andthenshemustassertherclaimtoDarcydespiteherrealizationofherfamily’struenarture,oflesserimportanceareherembarrassmentsininformingherfamilythatshewillmarryDarcyandherpaininobservingDarcyinassociationwithhermotherandyoungersisters.ContrastbetweenthesetwocouplesarerevealsdangersthathovernearforDarcyandElizabeth.ElizabethcouldnotactasdoCharlotteandLydia,butwecanimagineheryieldingtohopelesspassivity.DarcycouldnotactasCollinsorWickhamedo,butwecanimaginehimpermanentlystiffeningintotheinflexiblepridehedisplayedincondemningElizabeth’sfamilytoherface.SuchactionwouldscarcelyparallelBingley’sbehavior,buttheweaknessitwoulddisplaywouldhaveeffectslikethoseofBingley’sweakness.Mostimportantofall,Darcy’sandElizabeth’sdifferencesfromBingleyandJanesuggesttousthepowerofwillwhichDarcyandElizabethdevelop,theabilitytoeducatethemselveswhichliesattheheartofthenovel.
Inthisnovel,JaneAusten,bydescribingfourdifferentmarriages,expressedherviewpointthatone�scharacterreflectshisorhermarriageandattitudestowardslove.AtthecenterstandDarcyandElizabethwhosestrugglesleadtoareconciliationofpersonalandsocialclaims.FartoonesideofthemstandCollinsandCharlotte,whodemonstrateacompleteyieldingtosocialclaims.AttheoppositeextremestandWickhameandLydia,whorepresentcapitulationtopersonalclaims.AlthoughtheCollins�CharlotteandWickhame�LydiamarriagesdramatizethepossiblefateofagirlinElizabeth�ssocialposition,theirchiefpurposeistoshowbycontrastthedesirabilityandintegrityoftheadjustmentbetweenDarcyandElizabeth.OnlyBingleyandJanehelptodramatizealternativeswhichweresignificantlypossibleforDarcyandElizabethandthustoshowthestrengthrepresentedbytheiradjustment.
WorksCited
Austen,Jane.PrideandPrejudice.WaltonStreet:OxfordUniversityPress,1970
Bush,Douglas."Mrs.BennetandtheDarkGods:ThetruthaboutJaneAusten,"TheSewaneebReviewAutumn,1956:591
Marcus,Mordecai."AMajorThematicPatternin'PrideandPrejudice',"Nineteenth-CenturyFictionDecember,1961:274-79
Oliphant,Margaret."MissAustenandMissMitford,"Blackwood'sEdinburghMagazineMarch,1870:290
Saintsbury,Geroge.PrefacesandEssays.London:MacmillanandCo.,Limited,1933.
Schorer,Mark."PrideUnprejudiced,"TheKenyouReviewWinter,1956:72
Wu,weiren.HistoryandAnthologyofEnglishLiterature(part2).BeiJing:ForeignLanguageTeachingandResearchPress,1988.
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