Marriage

“Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humor which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had, very early in their marriage, put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished forever, and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown.” (Page 228)

Marriage, during the Victorian era, was far less romanticized than it is today. In most cases, love was considered unimportant. Marriages were often handled as though they were business deals, and as a result, relationships were more about friendship than intimacy. In Victorian society, there were also several guidelines to marriage. One of the most prominent rules was that people were encouraged to marry within their social class. It was generally frowned upon to marry a person from a lower class. Austen gives this information to show what was common for the time period. She uses Mr. Bennet as an example of a person marrying someone within their own class. She also uses him to show that even though a couple may not be completely in love, they can still be mutually content. This connects to Elizabeth and Darcy as well. Elizabeth begins with a negative outlook on Darcy, but she manages, in the end, to like and accept him. Their relationship essentially contradicts the social norm. Darcy chooses to marry someone below him, and their union has more to do with the affection they have for one another.

"Marriage in the Victorian Era." College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of Florida. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/agunn/teaching/enl3251/vf/pres/ziegenfuss.htm.