Plan for a whole text response on the theme of marriage

1. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
MARRIAGE
L.O: To work collaboratively and plan a response to a
whole text question

2. Title: Discuss Austen’s presentation of the
theme of marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”.

3.  You need to be aware of the contrasting attitudes towards
marriage that exist in the novel, for example marrying “to advantage”
and marrying for love.
 In this essay you should look at various characters’ marriages and
thinking about what conclusions we can come to regarding Austen’s
opinions on the subject of marriage.

4. THE CONTEXTUAL IMPORTANCE
OF MARRIAGE
 Read your groups contextual summary of the background
information.
 Your task is to summarise your information to present to
the rest of the class.

5. INTRODUCTION
 Define the concept of marrying to advantage (Money,
connections, social status and security). Establish the contrast
between this and marrying for love.
 Focus on the opening chapter of the novel, outlining Mrs
Bennet’s mission in life and the reasons why she is so keen on
her daughters marrying.
 Link this point to a general outline of the position of women
at the time Austen wrote the novel

6. CHARLOTTE LUCAS & MR
COLLINS
 Good example of marrying for security rather than for love.
 Charlotte’s attitudes towards marriage seen in Chapter 6:
unromantic / realistic.
 Mr Collins’ attitudes towards marriage are similarly unromantic
(despite going through the motions of declaring his ‘love’ for Elizabeth
when he proposes to her – Chapter 19), as he quickly shifts his
attentions on to Charlotte.
 See also Chapter 22 for why Charlotte marries Mr Collins.

7.  ‘Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.’

8. KEY QUOTATIONS –
CHAPTER 6
 ‘In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more
affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly;
but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him
on.’
 ‘When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in
love as much as she choses.’
 ‘Your plan is a good one,’ replied Elizabeth, `where nothing is
in question but the desire of being well married;’

9. ELIZABETH & MR
DARCY
Reasons for Elizabeth’s refusal of both Mr Collins’
and Mr Darcy’s proposals of marriage  wants to
marry for love.
Darcy also believes in marrying for love 
proposes to Elizabeth, despite his misgivings
(Chapter 34)
Darcy’s (and Elizabeth’s) defiance of Lady
Catherine’s objections to their rumoured
engagement (Chapter 56)  Contrast concept of
marrying for love to Lady Catherine’s emphasis on
marriage being an alliance which unites property and
pleases family; marriage as one’s duty to one’s
family. Lady Catherine sees marriage as a
person’s duty to their family. She wants
Mr Darcy to marry her daughter so that
the ownership of their property and lands
stays in the family.

10. Key Point:
What would Charlotte’s opinion be of
Elizabeth’s romantic ideals?
How practical / realistic is Elizabeth
being, considering the status of
women at the time?

11. LYDIA & MR WICKHAM
 There is a lack of propriety, sense and consideration for others in this marriage, even
though Lydia does marry for love.
 The lack of fortune on either side is seen as a huge obstacle for their future
happiness.
 Focus on the purpose this marriage fulfils within the narrative:
~ serves as a foil (contrast) to the marriages of Jane and Elizabeth, as they have
everything the Wickham's lack – love, money, connections, social status, respectability
etc.
~ solving the problem of their elopement gives Mr Darcy the opportunity to prove his
love for Elizabeth and for her to show how her feelings for him have changed.

12. CONCLUSION
 In her presentation of the various marriages, what do you think Jane Austen
is trying to say to the reader about marriage?
~ Marry for love? (chance of future happiness slim, if they lack money,
connections etc.)
~ Marry for advantage? (chances of future happiness? Mr and Mrs Collins!)
~ Fall in love with someone rich and well connected? (ideally, yes  Elizabeth
and Jane seem assured of happiness) However, how realistic is this?
 Link back to context – what do we know about Austen’s romantic life?

13. HOMEWORK
 Complete the whole text question
 Discuss Austen’s presentation of the theme of marriage
in “Pride and Prejudice”. (40 minutes)
 For Tuesday 3rd May