1、On the Relationship between Money and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice傲慢與偏見(jiàn)中金錢(qián)與婚姻的關(guān)系 Name: Du Jingjing Class: 1202 Students Number: 2012030206On the Relationship between Money and Marriage inPride and PrejudiceAbstract: The present paper, by the novel Pride and Prejudice, which is a great 19-century

2、realistic novel, shows Jane Austens opinion of marriage, from which we also can see the executive concern with money of relationship in the English society at that time. Marriage, a special relationship, is also based on money. We all know that love is the basis of marriage, but at that time, in suc

3、h a historical social environment, a good economic situation is necessary. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen describes a variety of marriage relationships and her penetrating vision tells people that the essence of bourgeois marriage is nothing but money transactions, benefit trade. The thesis is

4、the analysis of the nature of the marriages based on Jane Austens ideal love marriage and points out the practical significance of the novel located.Key Words:Marriage; Money; Love傲慢與偏見(jiàn)中金錢(qián)與婚姻的關(guān)系摘要：傲慢與偏見(jiàn)是19世紀(jì)一部偉大的現(xiàn)實(shí)主義小說(shuō)，作者簡(jiǎn)·奧斯汀在文中通過(guò)對(duì)愛(ài)情的描述表達(dá)了對(duì)愛(ài)情的觀點(diǎn)。在文章中我們看到了當(dāng)時(shí)英國(guó)社會(huì)對(duì)經(jīng)濟(jì)地位的一種偏執(zhí)的想法，而婚姻作為一種特殊的社會(huì)關(guān)系也是建立在

5、經(jīng)濟(jì)基礎(chǔ)之上的。我們知道，愛(ài)情是婚姻的基礎(chǔ)，但是在當(dāng)時(shí)的社會(huì)，經(jīng)濟(jì)在婚姻中同樣扮演著很重要的角色。簡(jiǎn)·奧斯汀在傲慢與偏見(jiàn)中描寫(xiě)了各種不同的婚姻關(guān)系，用最透徹的眼光向人們表明，資產(chǎn)階級(jí)婚姻的實(shí)質(zhì)無(wú)非是金錢(qián)交易、利益的結(jié)合。是經(jīng)濟(jì)、數(shù)字決定人們的生活和命運(yùn)，決定著婚姻關(guān)系。本文即是在分析資產(chǎn)階級(jí)婚姻觀本質(zhì)的基礎(chǔ)上探究簡(jiǎn)·奧斯汀的理想婚姻觀，以小說(shuō)中人物的發(fā)展過(guò)程為主線，闡述了資產(chǎn)階級(jí)婚姻的實(shí)質(zhì)，并指出了小說(shuō)的現(xiàn)實(shí)意義所在。關(guān)鍵詞：婚姻；金錢(qián)；愛(ài)情II1. Introduction1.1 The Background of Austen Jane Austen (1775-181

6、7) was born in Hampshire, a country priest family located in Hants, the village of Kingston, Sidemen in north England. She was a beautiful, talented middle class woman with extraordinary temperament and good cultivation. Her six novels-Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbery, M

7、anshifeierde Manor, Emma, Persuasion “all describe more than marriage” (Wang, 2005: 64). However, her marriage is in blank within her 42 years lifetime. Going through the best time of the life, she ultimately doesnt meet the right person in her life and finally gives up her love. With these sweet an

8、d bitter experiences she writes the great work Pride and Prejudice.Jane Austen was mostly tutored at home, and irregularly at school, but she received a broader education than many women of her time. She started to write for family amusement as a child. Her parents were avid readers; Austens own fav

9、orite poet was Cowper. Her earliest-known writings date from about 1787. Very shy about her writing, she wrote on small pieces of paper that she slipped under the desk plotter if anyone came into the room. In her letters she observed the daily life of her family and friends in an intimate and gossip

10、y manner: “James danced with Alethea, and cut up the turkey last night with great perseverance. You say nothing of the silk stocking;I flatter myself, therefore, that Charles has not purchased any, as I cannot very well afford to pay for them; all my money is spent in buying white gloves and pink pe

11、rsian.” (Austen in a letter to her sister Cassandra in 1796.)1.2 The Background of Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice, similar to other Austens satire in the novel is the mercenary and the ignorance of the people, a common criticism of the 18th century. Characters in the novel which best carries

12、 these qualities are: Mrs. Bennet, a foolish woman who talks too much and is obsessed with getting her daughters married; Lydia Bennet, the youngest of the Bennet daughter who is devoted to a life of dancing, fashions, gossips and flirting; and Mr.Williams Collins, the silly and conceited baboon who

13、 is completely stupefy by Lady Catherine in every aspect of his life that he has forgotten his own morals and duty. The tone of the novel is light, satirical, and vivid.In this great book, the author deeply elaborates her point about love and marriage. Therefore, in order to analyze these points of

14、views, we should firstly start from her great work.“At that time, according to the social conditions in Britain, a good marriage for a young woman was critical. This phenomenon was closely associated with the British society and the status of woman and man. Women were considered to be inferior to me

15、n in terms of intelligence and capacity. The central life of women was forced to be staying at home; their roles were to deal with the family affairs, such as taking care of the children and serving for the husband.” (Zhu,1995:34)People usually thought that women should be submissive to their husban

16、ds. The virtues of women were patient and deferential. Although the status of women was low, few of them expressed dissatisfaction about their own destiny. At that time, many middle-class young women had three options:getting married; staying at home as old maids or working as the family female teac

17、hers. The income of family female teacher was very low, and the status was low as well. It was difficult for women to change or escape this status; no one would like to be a maid or being single all ones life (the current circumstance forced them to think so). Therefore, in terms of young women, esp

18、ecially those who didnt have enough properties, to get married was the only way for them to gain respect, stability and social status.Austen presented four marriages in Pride and Prejudice, in which she also satirized the bad phenomena, like marriage based on money and social status. Through the fou

19、r marriages, Austen clearly showed her point of view on marriage and love.2. The Four Marriages and the Revealed Concept of Love and Marriage in Pride and PrejudiceThe stories are about the ordinary lives, and the ordinary feelings. The work mainly describes four marriages. Two are the main and the

20、other two are the secondary.“Darcy and Elizabeths love and marriage is the main theme of this work. After undergoing many setbacks, Darcys arrogance and Elizabeths prejudice eventually eliminate, the lovers finally get married. The marriage of Elizabeths sister Jane and Darcys friend Bingley is anot

21、her clue. They deeply love each other, but they are multi-blocked, after their departure, Jane misses Bingley very much. The two marriages reflect another point of view in a positive way that marriage should be based on true love, which is the ideal marriage in the authors opinion. However, the marr

22、iage between Charlotte and Collins is an indifferent marriage; while marriage between Lydia and Wickham is a faulty marriage, which helps to make the plots more tortuous and richer.”(Zhu,1985:12) 2.1 Charlotte and CollinsIn Pride and Prejudice, the first part is the marriage of Charlotte and Collins

23、, whose marriage is natural but indifferent. They get married without any expectation. Charlotte is William Lucass daughter, who is the neighbor of Lizzy Bennett. She is born in a poor family and very mediocre in every aspect. So she has not got married even until she is 26 years old. She may be a t

24、ypical questionable girl. “However, there are five daughters in the Bennett family. The five daughters are gradually growing up to the age for marriage. So both of the two families rival mutually, especially in the eyes of the ordinary women, such rivalry was particularly tedious; she does not give

25、birth to a boy but five girls. The familys property couldnt be given to a daughter according to the custom at that time, and the family without a son can grant the wealth to the nephew. So one of Bennett nephews-Collins can inherit the family wealth. Therefore, Mrs. Bennett has great expectations on

26、 her nephew. Though the family is not so rich. Collins is the only one who can inherit the whole property. For this reason, Mrs. Bennett feels at ease, and then she has great hope on Collins and likes him. With the hope of one of his relatives, Collins becomes a priest. And then he goes to his uncle

27、s home, wanting to be one son-in-law of Bennett. Because he has hears a lot about the situation of the five daughters of his uncles family; he is coming to try his luck here. In his mind, if he could be one son-in-law of his uncles, then he could get the property of the family. At first, he suggests

28、 ,Mrs. Bennett that the 26-year old Jane has captured his attention. After informed that the eldest daughter Jane has a boyfriend, he thinks that the second daughter Elizabeth would be an agreeable alternative. Eventually, Elizabeth refuses him with sharp tongue. But Collins quickly finds comfort fr

29、om Charlotte who desires to get married and believes that the marriage is the only way for her to gain respect and also is the only ending of a woman. And then they get married as quickly as the lightning. A mediocre love, a dull marriage has been established easily. Such marriage is superficial wit

30、hout love in it. It was a practical marriage without happiness.2.2 Lydia and WickhamThe second marriage is between Benettes third daughter Lydia and Wickham, the son of the housekeeper of Mr.Darcy. At first, he is well-treated by the family and the friends. However, he comes down in the world becaus

31、e of his misbehavior. He gets into debt. He is a man without any responsibility. He wants to get married in order to become rich so he can change his social status. In his opinion, love is only recreation. For his purpose ,he entices Lydia who is young, innocent and vainglorious.“ Lydia, with perfec

32、t indifference, continued to express her admiration of Caption Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning to London.” (Austen, 1813: 58) Lydia hates to work hard, and is spoilt by her mother, and getting love and praise of a boy is her dream. So Wic

33、kham gets to love easily.“When Wickham wants to reach his aim-getting wealth by love and exalts her beauty hypocritically, she forgets who she is and feels she is the most beautiful and happiest girl in the world.” (Fu, 2002: 43) Their love does not get the permission from the parents, and then they

34、 elope. As Lydia is young and empty-minded, she never gives love a serious and proper consideration, so when Elizabeth hears the news, she believes that their love is false, Wickham would not marry Lydia, because she is not charming and has nothing to attract him, and he is only fond of the wealth o

35、f her family. They dont understand the real meaning of marriage; they only want to satisfy their aspirations. So we can say this is a kind of love and marriage without true love and responsibility. Such a couple only wants the present happiness but not everlasting and unchanging. Of course, such kin

36、d of marriage is doomed to be a tragedy.2.3 Jane and Mr. BingleyThe third marriage is of the eldest daughter Jane and Mr. Bingley. Bingley is a friend of Darcy. “ Mr.Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principle people in the room, he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance,

37、was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves.”（Austen, 1813: 79) And Jane “ her look and manners were opening, cheerful and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convi

38、nced from the evening, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment.”(Austen, 1813: 127) Under the influence of Mr. Darcy, Bingley begins to doubt Janes affection to him; he leaves her without saying good-bye. Later, when all the mi

39、sunderstandings have been solved, he comes back to Jane with Darcys help. The marriage of the able man Bingley and the beautiful girl-Jane is ideal in most peoples eyes. Of course, the couple meets many setbacks, such as the misunderstanding of Darcy and Bingleys selfish sister. At last, the lovers

40、get married as the misunderstanding between Elizabeth and Darcy has been solved.2.4 Darcy and ElizabethThe fourth marriage is the main theme of the work. That is Darcy and Elizabeths marriage. In the beginning, Elizabeth rejects the pursuer-Darcy, because she does not like him, even looks down upon

41、him though Darcy loves her very much. In Elizabeths eyes , he is arrogant and unreasonable because he is rich and has high social status. Realizing that, Darcy begins to get rid of those bad habits quietly to meet her taste and make a good impression on her. Because of Darcys perfect behavior and go

42、od education, Elizabeth gradually eliminates the bias on Darcy. Then they spontaneously fall in love. So when Darcy shows his love to Elizabeth again, Elizabeth accepts, and they get married and have a happy family life.The marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth reveals the characteristics that consti

43、tute a successful marriage. One of these characteristics is that the feeling cannot be brought on by appearances, and must gradually develop between the two people as they get to know one another. In the beginning, Elizabeth and Darcy were distant from each other because of their prejudice. The seri

44、es of events which they both experienced gave them the opportunity to understand one another and the time to reconcile their feelings for each other. Thus, their mutual understanding is the foundation of their relationship and will lead them to a peaceful and lasting marriage. This relationship betw

45、een Elizabeth and Darcy reveals the importance of getting to know ones partner before marrying.3. The Different Understanding about Love and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice3.1 The Marriage Based on Feelings of LoveBingley and Janes marriage is based on love and rational respect. Jane is the handsome

46、st of the Bennets daughters that is why she is the daughter Mrs. Bennet had the highest hopes for. She is humble and unassuming. In a partner, she looks for sensibility, good humor and liveliness. Bingley is rather impressive. He has pleasant countenance and easy affected manner. He is easygoing and

47、 much influenced by his best friend, Mr. Darcy. When he proposes to Jane, he does this after Darcy gives his consent. They both are kind, nice, and optimistic people. They always see the bright side of things. Mr. Bennet thinks the couple is so nice and easygoing that people might take advantage of

48、them. We later see that the Wickhams do take advantage. They spend long periods of time in their house and Lydia often writes to Jane asking for money.On the first ball organized by Mr. Bingley in the Niger Park, Jane-the eldest daughter of the Bonnets is favored by the host. But the reserved person

49、ality makes her show nothing to Mr.Bingley , so she almost loses Bingley, which also makes her feel sad and regret. For example, Mrs.Bennet often gives comments on the marriage in public, especially on the benefits of the marriage, which almost frightens Bingley away. This good marriage based on lov

50、e feelings between lovers. They both make a good impression on each other. This love is based on true feelings.3.2 The Marriage Based on Vanity and CarelessnessLydia is impulsive, credulous and blindly following. She is so temperamental that she cries bitterly when she hears the red-coated officials

51、 would leave the local town and rejoices when some new red-coated officials come in. Wickham, the man without any responsibility, wants to chase Lydia mostly for fun. Lydia elopes with Wickham because of an impulse. They spend money without restraint, and they are unable to make ends meet. For sake

52、of Elizabeth, Darcy gives them a sum of money, so they can get out of difficulties. At the same time, this swindler prepares to climb another woman for a sum of money. Clearly, this couples marriage is unfortunate caused by vanity and carelessness.3.3 The Marriage Based on Money or BenefitAlthough M

53、rs. Bennet has been described as a comedy character in the work gaining a lot of sarcasm and derision, her universally acknowledged truth-all the wealthy bachelors want to marry a lady-has been proves to be truth which proves another fact that its the wealth and the number of the wealth that decide

54、the fate of life and marriage. (Xin, 2009: 17)Charlotte knows that the marriage without property would eventually end up with disappointment and suffering.when Collins is rejected by Elizabeth, he immediately turns to Miss Charlotte. Although Collins is a foolish priest, and he cannot gain a womans

55、love, Charlotte accepts him, because her only purpose is to get married. Almost all the girls born in a poor family without good education always think marriage is the only way to get descent, although there is no true love in marriage. She selects the most reliable way by marriage, thus she would n

56、ot be exposed to the cold temperatures and suffers hunger in the future. She mow gets home.“Charlotte is like a hunter catching a fairly plump fish-Collins.”(He，2001：45)But if he doesnt meet a setback from Elizabeth, and the encouragement of Charlotte,I am afraid that he would not be so willing to p

57、ropose marriage to Charlotte. The man like Bingley who has numerable money needs a beautiful wife, the poor man needs a wife with a huge wealth, like Wickham; It was lucky for Charlotte that she could gain the marriage with Collins although their marriage is not happy at all.In these marriages, it i

58、s quite interesting that the women with poor background really get married with those rich bachelors. But not all the marriages are filled with happiness. In marriage, money is very important. Collins is the heir of Bonnet family; he doesnt know what love is. He would state some of the inappropriate remarks at any time. Charlotte gets married for money. Eventually she gets nothing but a rich man, though she has economic security. She doesnt care about her husbands accompanying and love. She encourages him to clean up the garden more. She sets his living-room