1、1. Introduction Jane Austen is a famous British women novelists in the nineteenth-century . Pride and Prejudice is her masterpiece. This work reflects the British towns state of human life and explore the love and marriage of the 18th century to early 19th century. It is based on daily life for the

2、material and through the different description of the true love story. There are four different types of marriage in the novel,and they are related to the author Jane Austens life and background, personal experiences and insights of great love relationship. As we know, love is the eternal theme of h

3、uman life. Everybody needs love, but not everyone owns love. Marriage is one of the important ways to certify two peoples love. But the divorce rate is higher and higher. This will inevitably cause our thinking and attention. Is it anything wrong with peoples views of love and marriage. Jane Austens

4、 opinions can give us lots of thinking, although the time she lived is far from ours. Therefore, this paper aims to help people realize the ideal marriage through analyzing Jane Austens novel Pride and Prejudice. Primarily employing the techniques of exemplification, induction and comparison, the au

5、thor of this article is going to divide the whole dissertation into four chapters. The first one is a general introduction. The second one is a introduction about the author and a literature review. The third one,which is the most important part, compare two of the marriages in Pride and Prejudice a

6、nd summarizes the authors views on marriage.In the end comes a conclusion,which show my opinions about Jane Austens views.2. Literature Review2.1 About the authorJane Austen (17751817) is a famous British women novelists. Her work focuses on womens marriage and squire family life. She used a womans

7、meticulous observation and lively and humorous write the text world around her small world truly.Austen never married until she died. Since living in the rural town, come into contact with small and medium landowners, priests and other people and their quiet, comfortable living environment, and ther

8、efore her works without major social conflicts. Her works, relaxed style of humorous and full of comic conflict, are popular among readers. From the 18th century to early 19th century, the boring sentimental novel and Gothic novel is full of the British literary scene. But Austens novel, unconventio

9、nal yet to be demonstrated at the impact of industrial revolution, showed the middle class in capitalism of English daily life and rural scenery. Her works often ridiculed the comic scenes of peoples stupid, selfish, snobbish, and ridiculously blind self-confidence contemptible weakness. Generally s

10、peaking, Jane Austen was a writer of the 18th-century, though she lived mainly in the nineteenth century. She holds the ideals of the landlord class in politics, religion and moral principles; and her works show clearly her firm belief in the predominance of reason over passion, the sense of respons

11、ibility, good manners and clear-sighted judgment over the Romantic tendencies of emotion and individuality. As a realistic writer, she considers it her duty to express in her works a discriminated and serious criticism of life, and to expose the follies and illusions of mankind. She shows contemptuo

12、us feelings towards snobbery, stupidity, worldliness and vulgarity through subtle satire and irony. And in style, she is a neoclassicism advocator, upholding those traditional ideas of order, reason, proportion and gracefulness in novel writing. As a novelist Jane Austen writes within a very narrow

13、sphere. The subject matter, the character range, the social setting, and plots are all restricted to the provincial life of the late 18th-century England, concerning three or four landed gentry families with their daily routine life: relationships with members of their own family and with their frie

14、nds, dancing parties, tea parties, picnics, and gossips. In her novels, there is little reflection on the events that stirred the whole Europe at the time, no thrilling adventures, no abstract ideas, no romantic reveries, and even no death scenes. Everything in her novel results in an observation of

15、 a quiet, uneventful and contented life of the English country. Here lie her very weak points as well as strong points. Such narrowness apparently comes from the writers own limited experience and knowledge; yet, by writing within the small area of her experience and by never stepping beyond the lim

16、its of her knowledge, it allows the writer to have a close study of characters and a detailed description of recurring situation so that she can portray them with absolute accuracy and sureness. It is no exaggeration to stay that within her limited sphere, Jane Austen is unequaled.2.2 Synopsis Pride

17、 and Prejudice, originally drafted as First Impressions in 1796, is the most delightful of Jane Austens works. First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has consistently been Jane Austens most popular novel. It portrays life in the genteel rural society of the day, and tells of the initial misund

18、erstandings and later mutual enlightenment between Elizabeth Bennet (whose liveliness and quick wit have often attracted readers) and the haughty Darcy. The title Pride and Prejudice refers (among other things) to the ways in which Elizabeth and Darcy first view each other. The original version of t

19、he novel was written in 1796-1797 under the title First Impressions, and was probably in the form of an exchange of letters.According to Jane Austen, our first impressions are usually wrong, as is shown here by those of Elizabeth. In the process of judging others, Elizabeth finds out something about

20、 herself: her blindness, partiality, prejudice and absurdity. In time she discovers her own shortcomings. On the other hand, Darcy too learns about other people and himself. In the end false pride is humbled and prejudice dissolved. In addition, there are 4 more marriages include Jane and Billy,Char

21、lotte and Collins, Lydia and Wycombe and the old Bennett. 3.Views about marriage in the novel3.1 Comparison of two of the marriages Through comparing Elizabeths marriage and Lydias marriage to search the differences about freedom and equality. On the analysis of the two couplesmarriages in Pride and

22、 Prejudice we find that Elizabeth and Darcy are much happier than Lydia and Wickham. Elizabeth and Darcy not only are independent in thought, personality and economy, but also are equal in their attitudes. All of these determine that they will have a happy marriage. In the estate society, their stat

23、uses are not equal but they can smash the bonds of tradition and can treat each other equally. Elizabeth desires independence and equality strongly. It is a challenge to Darcy. After Elizabeth rejects Darcys proud proposal. Darcy receives her challenge and they unite happily. However Lydia and Wickh

24、am are creations of capitalist society. They are selfish and like seeking fame and wealth. Their marriage doesnt have the foundation of independence and equality. Lydia searches for moment enjoyment and Wickham hopes to gain fortune by marriage. They marry with Darcys help,but live a dependent life,

25、 which needs the help of others. Thus the marriage with the love of independence and equality is happy,which it is an eternal theme from time immemorial. It will brighten all the couplesway, leading them to happiness.3.1.1 Two marriages Elizabeth was the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice, might hav

26、e many brilliant and many thoughts. She had some qualities that were quite different from other ordinary girls. She hoped that marriage could be based on love. Finally she married Darcy, won both love and money. Elizabeth refused two proposals from Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, even when she knew she w

27、ould lose her fathers heritage, and lose the richest man she had ever seen before. Maybe it was all because Elizabeth was a woman who wanted to pursuit happiness but not money. That was the reflection of Austens mind. After Elizabeth knew the truth, confesses their engagement to her elder sister, Ja

28、ne asked her how long she had loved him? She replied, I must date it from my first seeing his Beautiful grounds at Pemberly. Though she was joking, we all know thats not because she attracted by it. That means Mr. Darcy couldnt win her heart unless he changed his proud manners.Lydia, the youngest da

29、ughter of the Bennet family, was uncontrolled in her love affair and marriage. She eloped with the Wickham, who originally wanted to make his fortune by marrying a rich woman. With the help of Darcy, they got married at last. Their marriage was obviously a disgraceful and unhappy one. Jane Austen ce

30、rtainly did not appreciate their marriage.3.1.2 Differences of the show of the independenceElizabeth and Darcy are independent not only in thought and economy. But Lydia and Wickham lack of independent factors which the above mentions. In ThoughtElizabeth and Darcy are independent in thought

31、while Lydia and Wickham are not. Elizabeth possesses the quality of strong reason and keen observation. She has her own attitude towards marriage. She knows the happy marriage should be based on true love and should choose mate carefully and seriously. She ignores money and refuses Collinsproposal.C

32、ollin is a priest .His manner is serious and his behaviors are very formal, and he is follower of the rich and powerful, He is swell with pride when he is recommended to Lady Catherine and then has a good house, a large enough income .He thinks it will surely succeed in proposing to Elizabeth. But E

33、lizabeth doesnt like him and says to him, “It is impossible for me to do otherwise than refuse your proposal.” (Austen 78) Elizabeth disagrees with her best friend Charlotte to marry Collins for only seeking for material enjoyment.She feels that“Charlotte the wife of Mr.Collins, was a most humiliati

34、ng picture!And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.”(Austen 90) Elizabeth doesnt only take a fancy to the appearance of a man .She admires handso

35、me Wickham first .In the process of her observing and understanding, she finds out that Wickham has only empty appearance and fawns on rich ladies, Wickhams attention to her is over from then on.She also disagrees with Lydia to seek for moment enjoyment .After Lydia and Wickham elope, She says to Ly

36、dia, “I dont especially like your way of getting husbands.”(Austen 223)Elizabeths independence in thought is also reflected in rejecting Darcys proud offer.She is an independent woman and cant endure Darcys pride and looking down upon her family.She thinks that both sides should love each other deep

37、ly.This is her belief and never shakes .Darcy is independent in thought, too. He has money and rank .He should marry a girl who has the same condition. This is what Miss Bingley and his aunt Lady Catherine think.Miss Bingley tries the best way to win Darcy, but he still dislikes her and doesnt marry

38、 her.Lady Catherine is a noble woman, and she has a very large fortune .She deems that her daughter suits him very much, Darcy and her daughter will unite the two estates by marriage.But Darcy is not interested in her.He loves Elizabeth , her charmful appearance, intelligent and character. His admir

39、ation to Elizabeth is prevented so much. When Elizabeth goes to Mr Bringleys on foot and looks after her sister Jane .Bringleys sisters make fun of her and her family at the back. .Even Miss Bingley says to Darcy, “I am afraid that this adventure has rather lessened your admiration for her fine eyes

40、.” (Austen 34 )But Darcy replies “Not at all,They are brightened by the exercise,”(Austen 34)At Pemberley when Miss Bingley notices that Darcy admires Elizabeth, she merely intends to confuse Elizabeth and make her show some feeling that may harm her in Darcys opinion .But it affects nothing to Darc

41、y. She continues to criticize Elizabeths appearance, behavior and dress. Darcy can no longer controls himself and says. “For many months I have considered her as one of the best looking women in my acquaintance.”(Austen 191).His love to Elizabeth is prevented by his sense of family status too.He has

42、 tormented but with the effect of Elizabeth he triumphs over himself and loves Elizabeth more.On the other hand,Lydia lacks the independence. Lydia is Elizabeths youngest sister.She is empty-headed and idle.She always manages to learn some news and searches the officers .She doesnt possess the quali

43、ty of independence and is easily tricked by a deceitful man .She only needs encouragement to form an attachment to anybody. Sometimes one officer has been her favorite and sometimes another. It is the best proof that she runs away with Wickham.However Wickham doesnt love her really and has no intent

44、ion to marry her. His enthusiasm is not stable and his thought is lack of independence. Sometimes he loves good-looking Elizabeth. Sometimes he seeks for rich Miss Marry King and lures Darcys sister to flight with him for revenging himself on Darcy. At last he runs away with Lydia because he wants t

45、o escape from his debts and leave Brighton with a woman companion. Lydia and Wickham arent independent in thought and easily drift with their own desire and tides. In Economy Elizabeth and Darcy are independent in economy while Lydia and Wickham need the help of others .Elizabeth shares a par

46、t of five thousand pounds among her parentsinheritance.Darcy has rich family property and ten thousand a year . After they marry, they can support the family more enough and frequently help Mr.and Mrs.Wickham. Mention Lydia and Wickham,when they marry, Lydias property is nearly as same as Elizabeth,

47、 as her father says“ one hundred a year during my lifeand fifty after I am gone.” (Austen 222)Wickham is in debt. It is Darcy who helps him pay off the debts and obtains a good position in the army, then gives a thousand pounds to Lydia.When their marriage starts, they arent independent in economy.E

48、ven after they marry, they still ask for help. Elizabeth frequently sends some relief from her own private money ,and for Elizabeths sake,Darcy helped Wickham. They always stay at Bingleys family so long that even Bingleys good temper fails him. Its not praiseworthy to live such a dependent life.3.1

49、.3 Differences of the show of the equality Elizabeth and Darcy treat each other equally after marriage, while Lydia and Wickham dont . Of course Elizabeth and Darcy unite with the foundation of equality. After their marriage they mutually respect and love each.Even Gorgiana , Darcys sister often lis

50、tens with astonishment at Elizabeths lively, joking way of talking to her brother. Darcy receives Elizabeths advice and offers to end the quarrel between Lady Catherine and him.Darcy respects Elizabeths relations too. He still helps Wickham whom he doesnt like only because he is the husband of Eliza

51、beths sister.But Lydia stubbornly sticks to her own view to love Wickham. Lets look at how the novel describes, “ Wickhams affection for Lydia was just what Elizabeth had expected it to be -not equal to Lydias for him.”(Austen 234) She guesses that their running away together has been caused by the

52、strength of her love rather than by his.But “Lydia was extremely fond of him .He was her dear Wickham on every occasion No one was to be compared with him . He did everything best in the world .” (Austen 234)In Lydias eyes love is all her pursuit except all the others including equality . In Wickham

53、s eyes Lydias value is not herself but the comfortable life that it depends on Lydias brotherin-low. Their marriage isnt based on equality from the first to the end.3.2 Summary of the authors views on marriage Summing up the above points of view, the author Jane Austen admitted that most women eventually acknowledged , the only purpose in life is to find the ideal man. It is why that her work always has a value, which is the eternal human nature. Whether it is the 19th century rural England or the 21st century Manhattan, or whether