Marriage

MARRIAGE

• The importance of marriage is clear from the opening sentence 

Austen says 'Its is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in posession of good fortune must be in want of a wife'. This is deeply ironic and sets off Austen's satirical tone throughout the novel. The word 'truth' suggests that this is the only interperatation. The phrase 'universally acknowledged' suggests that everybody knows that this statement is true and viable. The phrase 'good fortune' stresses what a woman might be looking for in a husband, and the phrase 'must be in want', shows the expectation that men chose their wives and must want to marry. Austen is mocking the way that everyone assumes that a young, rich man moving into an area must want to marry one of their daughters. This is ironic as in the Regency, a single woman without a fortune actively seeked a husband.

• Many people marry for other reasons than love

For many characters, marriage has important benefits - it can improve their lives financially and socially, and give women more freedom. Unmarried women couldnt live alone, so Charlotte marries so she can be independant of her family and in control of her 'home and housekeeping'. This suggests that Charlotte now has control over her life and is independant from her family, but with Mr Collins. Charlotte also has an unsentimental view of marriage. She states the she is 'not a romantic' and only asks for a 'comfortable home'. This shows the reader that Charlotte did not marry for love and only married to be provided with social security. 

Marrying someone higher up the social ladder could also benefit your whoe family as well as improving your social status. For example, Mrs Bennet thinks Jane's alleged engagement will help the other sisters marry well because itll…