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1、10 English class 2 College of foreign languagesHebei united universityNov.2011RESEARCH ON THE MARRIAGE IN PRIDE AND PREJUSICE杨森： 201009010222陈小静：201009010210刘轩宁：201009010213张修桥：201009010217朱靖涛：201009010227Research on the Marriage in Pride and PrejudiceCONTENTSPart Introduction.3-4Part Literature Rev
2、iew.3 2.1 Jane Austen, the Writer 3 2.1.1 Jane Austens Life 3 2.1.2 Jane Austens Writing Style and the Use of Scenery3 2.1.3 Jane Austens Works.4 2.2 Background .4Part A general Understanding of This Novel.4-7 3.1 Capsule Summary.43.2 Analysis of Main Characters.5Part Study on the Marriages in the N
3、ovel .7-12 4.1 Obstacles to Marriage 7 4.2 Different Kinds of Marriage in the Novel.84.3 Theme of the Novel .10PartConclusion12PartBibliography.12Part Book List.12IntroductionPride and Prejudice is an excellent example of Jane Austens art; some even called it the most typical of her novels. This nov
4、el is written in 1813. In the nineteenth century, marriage is the only way for women to gain their social status and acknowledgement in Britain. As a female writer who only focuses on love and marriage, Jane Austen projects her own view of marriage into her works. She describes the marriage and rela
5、ted activities in a relaxing and humorous way in her masterpiece Pride and Prejudice. The whole novel described five different marriages, happy or unhappy, Therefore, analyzing marriage in Pride and Prejudice can help readers to deeply understand the connotation of the novel and authors view of marr
6、iage, know the marriage situation of the society in that age. Literature Review2.1 Jane Austen, the Writer 2.1.1 Jane Austens lifeJane Austen was born December 16th, 1775 at England. She was the seventh child and the second daughter. She was called “the most perfect artist among women. Receiving a b
7、roader education than many women of her time, she started to write for family amusement as a child. She was brought up in an intelligent but restricted environment, and only know knew a very small section of humanity lived. Her background was that of the lesser gentry who lived in the country in com
8、fortable pleasant surroundings. Although Austen didnt married, her social life was active and she had romantic dreams. Jane Austen does not write to many works, she wrote five vovels: Sense and Sensibility(1811), Pride and Prejudice(1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma( 1815) Northanger Abbey (1818),
9、and a Short fiction：Lady Susan (1794).2.1.2 Jane Austens writing style and the use of sceneryJane Austen is good at writing the love story between the young man and the young lady. Her writing style is always humorous, with the use of irony and satire. She is opposed to the values of sentimental or
10、gothic novels. And she keeps to the values of the 18th century. So her world is neither urban country nor industrial nor modern; it is usually a small world, a village or country town, in a relatively isolated rural area. Because of her limited experience, for her, as most Augustans, “the proper stu
11、dy of mankind is man” and not nature, or physical setting. The setting in her novel is generally only backdrop. 2.1.3 Jane Austens worksJane Austen does not write to many works, she wrote five novels: Sense and Sensibility(1811), Pride and Prejudice(1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma( 1815) Northang
12、er Abbey (1818), and a Short fiction：Lady Susan (1794).2.2 BackgroundSocial climate:The story of Pride and Prejudice took place in the time of the Regency in Britain. At that time, Britain was at the period of transition from the earlier stage of Capitalism to Capitalist Industrialization. In the co
13、untryside, the aristocratic family still held great power and right that country squires were likely to fawn upon them. However, as the development of Capitalism and the expand of the rank of rich people, the distinction between social strata was becoming smaller and smaller, while money was getting
14、 more and more important in peoples mind about social value. Part A general understanding of this novel 3.1 capsule summaryThe arrival of a new neighbor, wealthy Mr. Bingley, promise to solve a problem for the Bennet family: they see him as an eligible bachelor for one of their five marriageable dau
15、ghter, Jane. The next oldest, Elizabeth, however, takes an instant dislike to Bingleys friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, who appears to be proud, supercilious man. While Janes affair progresses, Elizabeth is courted by a Mr. Collins, an unlikeable churchman who is a cousin of Mr. Bennets and the legal heir
16、 of the small Bennet estate. When Elizabeth refuses his proposal, Collins turns to her best friend, Charlotte Lucas, who surprises everyone by accepting; she has found a comfortable, secure life at the cost of marrying an obsequious fool.Janes chances of winning Bingley are diminished when he leaves
17、 for London. His sister Caoline and Darcy contrive to him there in order to prevent any further progress of this affairs with Jane, who is not in Bingleys social class. Elizabeth finds another reason for disliking Darcy when she hears from a fop named Wickham, who has flattered her shamefully, that
18、Darcy had ruined his prospects years before.On a visit to Collins parsonage, Elizabeth meets Darcy again, and is astonished when he proposes. She refuses and berates him for his treatment of Jane and Wickham. He explains in a letter that he had not realized the depth of Janes affection for Bingley,
19、hence had not seen the separation as a calamity. As for Wickham, that young man is really a scoundrel who had attempted to seduce Darcys sister and to get her money. Elizabeth begins to suspect that she had misjudged Darcy; her doubt is reinforced when she meets him again at his estate and finds him
20、 to be a gracious host who is virtually worshipped by his employees.Their reconciliation is jeopardized, however, by the sudden elopement of Wickham and Lydia, the youngest Bennet girl. The Bennets are in a position where they must pay Wickham to marry their daughter. Surprisingly, however, the sum
21、Wickham demands is relatively small. It is soon revealed that Mr. Darcy has paid an additional amount to the scoundrel.Elizabeth realizes from this that Darcy is in love with her. Shortly, Bingley arrives at the village again to renew his acquaintance with Jane. Darcy and Elizabeth apologize to each
22、 other for their initial pride and prejudice. And, in spite of protests from their families, Bingley and Darcy marry Jane and Elizabeth and take them off to comfortable futures.3.2 Analysis of main charactersElizabeth Bennet: Elizabeth Bennet is the second of the five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Benne
23、t. Elizabeth is the most logical and level-headed of the Bennet daughters, and that makes her her fathers favorite. Although Elizabeth is thoughtful, intelligent, and practical, she comes to realize that she is just as capable of letting her own feelings get in the way of her good sense as her feath
24、er-brained sisters. Elizabeth realizes her grave mistake when she understands that she has greatly misjudged both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham. Indeed her main problem may be her “vanity” or “pride” rather than her “prejudice”. Out of that vanity is destroyed that the prejudice evaporates. In the proce
25、ss, she wins the affections of every reader.Jane Austen said if Elizabeth, the second daughter, that “I think her as a creature as delightful a creature as ever appered in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know.”(Letter to Cassandra, Jan. 1813)Jan
26、e Bennet: Jane is the eldest daughter, hence Miss Bennet. she is the most attractive of the Bennet daughters, and very desirable to impressionable bachelors like Bingley. Some critics have estimated Jane as equal in importance to Elizabeth, but she is better seen as foil to Elizabeth. She is “perfec
27、t” in only a superficial way; that is, she surpasses Elizabeth in outward appearance, but she has none of the wisdom or strength of character that Elizabeth has. Jane Austen does not bother to develop Jane Bennets character fully: she is virtually absent through the middle portion of the book, and s
28、he is portrayed constantly as a character who reacts, rather than acts.Charles Bingley: Bingley is a rather wooden, flat character. Good looking, mannerly, friendly, easy in society, he has little depth. He recognizes that he has little strength of character. His love affairs with Jane progresses fa
29、irly smoothly, with no realization on his part of the turmoil he is causing. He agrees with Darcy that he has been easily led, and is given to changing his interests from moment to moment. He can love Jane, abandon her, rediscover her as easily as he abandons or rediscover the joys of fox-hunting, o
30、r of going to the theater. With Jane he will have a simple, uncomplicated, and bland marriage.Fitzwilliam Darcy: Mr. Darcy is Bingleys best friend as well as a very wealthy, handsome, and proud bachelor. Darcy is viewed as rude and conceited by all the inhabitants of Meryton as well as Elizabeth Ben
31、net. As the book proceeds, we come to discover the truth about Darcy. We see that he is superior to Bingley as a suitor for the heroine. He is more complex, sensitive, and intelligent than the other males in the story. He shares with Elizabeth certain mature qualities: he is as contemptuous as she o
32、f family concerns, social ceremonies, and individualism appeal to him because of the same qualities in him. He and she agree that they do not perform well for others.Mrs. Bennet: Mrs. Bennet is Elizabeth Bennets pushy, ignorant, and embarrassing mother whose greatest aspiration is to have her five d
33、aughters married off. Mrs. Bennet does not approve of Elizabeths logic and practicality, and Elizabeth is her least favorite daughter.Part Study on the Marriages in the novel 4.1 Obstacles to marriageIn pride and prejudice the plot of marriage is extended by the fact that there are two young ladies
34、in a small village being courted by two bachelors. But there are obstacles in their marriage. And the obstacles to the marriage of these two couples are both external and internal.External obstacles: first, there is the economic status of Bennet family; the two bachelors must be willing to accept th
35、e disadvantages of marrying into a lower class. Then there are the rather vulgar members of the Bennet family, especially Mrs. Bennet, who do their worst to drive off these would-be husbands. The elopement of Lydia and Wickham is a manifestation of the vulgarity out of which Elizabeth and Jane have
36、come, and Jane have come, and they rightly fears the danger of being abandoned by their suitors. A melodramatic obstacles is provided by the stratagems of Darcy and Caroline, who for a while do their best to keep Bingley from Jane. Caroline also does her best to hail Darcys growing interest in Eliza
37、beth.Internal obstacles: the internal obstacles are in each of the major characters. Darcy is too haughty and outwardly repellent, and deceives others by his appearance; he is proud and officious in hindering the progress of Bingleys affairs with Jane. Elizabeth is too quick to judge others and imme
38、diately develops a prejudice against Darcy. Bingley and Jane are both too malleable, and hence have their love affairs manipulated by others.All of these obstacles are overcome-especially Darcys pride and Elizabeths prejudice-the way is made clear of their marriages. The novel pleases us because of
39、our sense of obstacles being met and overcome, and the triumph we share with peoplewe like. Once again the Cinderella myth is completed and we are satisfied.4.2 Different kinds of marriage in the novelJane Austens main subject in this novel is courtship and marriage. There are seven marriages in pri
40、de and prejudice, all of them undoubtedly intended to reveal first of all the requirements of “good” and “bad” marriage.A “bad” marriage: a marriage based on economics Charlottes marriageCharlotte is Elizabeths best friend, but they have different choices on marriage.Although Charlotte is a well-edu
41、cated girl but she doesnt have much property. She isnt as beautiful as other girls. She realizes that marriage isnt equal with happiness, but it is inherently like a safe to a woman. And Charlotte is different from Elizabeth. She has no wealth. She is unremarkable, but she is smart. She thinks it is
42、 a chance about whether marriage life will be happiness or not. As an already 27 years old woman, her choice of marriage is entirely out of realistic consideration. When she first met Collins, she saw his folly, and when he asked her to marry him, she also clearly know Collinss certainly not a reaso
43、nable person, and do not let people like. But she still accepts the proposal, for marriage has been her goal, as to find that kind of guy, married life is less concerned about how well educated, education but property for the young woman, it not marry is the only a decent way to happiness, and altho
44、ugh can doubt and married also must be their most agreeable can from poverty refuge. For money and marriage, Charlotte by marriage just wants to get a rich husband, thus she can have the economic security. Marriage for them is a task, but Collins couples obtain from the marriage what they want: Char
45、lotte gets stable of rich life; Collins also gets a warm home. This is their understanding of marriage.Another “bad” marriage : the marriage based on superficial qualitiesLydias marriageBennetts daughter Lydia is a simple, frivolous and vanity girl, the young age and keen on social, and proud of it.
46、 Her feelings always kept fluctuating, wavering. Wickham is a handsome appearance, actual moral corruption, very luxury, and treachery. First he deceived rich Darcy miss, he failed. Centuries later, he joined the first to Elizabeth, then and all the gold to rich miss launch to pursue, finally unexpe
47、ctedly and Lydia elopement.Lydia and Wickham is absurd combination of extremely. Their relationship is completely built on lust and appearance, no love foundation, say, is neither practical nor romantic. The marriage between them is conditional, and it is in Darcys help, the two talents grudgingly married. But two extravagant, consider eyes comfortable and happy, cares in the future, they often depend to Jane or Elizabeth write for help, hoping their put to pay bills. Wickham to Lydia love
