Jane Austen's novels focus on the transitional period in a young woman's life when she moves from her parents' home to that of her husband, as described in Fanny Burney's
Evelina. Marriage at the time was seen as permanent, so finding the right partner was crucial for securing a stable position in society. However, if a woman sought happiness and wanted to preserve her moral integrity, she needed patience and courage, as Austen advised her niece,
Fanny Knight, who was still single at twenty-five. As Elizabeth observes, Jane’s disappointment is due in part to the actions of her parents. Their leniency also allows Lydia to act recklessly, nearly causing disaster. Mr. Bennet eventually acknowledges his role in Lydia's mistakes, while Mrs. Bennet blames others. It is through the intervention of Darcy and Mr. Gardiner that Lydia's honor is saved and the family avoids disgrace.
Lydia's marriage , 1895). Lydia Bennet's impulsive attraction to Wickham nearly brings disgrace to her family and could have led to her downfall if circumstances hadn't forced a marriage. Lydia is carefree and focused solely on enjoying herself, treating her elopement as a joke. She doesn't consider the consequences of her actions and views marriage as an achievement, regardless of her husband's character or financial situation. For Lydia, the status of being married is more important than any other factor. Lydia's naïveté and flirtatious nature lead her into a relationship with Wickham, a man who takes advantage of her innocence. While she feels validated by the marriage, it is clear that Wickham is not genuinely committed to her, and over time, he will likely grow bored and seek other distractions.
Other cases When lack of money is added to an unsuitable marriage, problems often emerge quickly and happiness is short-lived. For example, in
Mansfield Park, the Price family struggles with a modest income and poor living conditions. The father is coarse, the mother is overwhelmed, and the children are unruly. Fanny, upon returning home, faces the difficult reality of their situation. Only through the help of their wealthy uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram, do the children have any hope for a better future. In
Emma, Austen describes Mr. Weston's unhappy first marriage. His wife, who came from a wealthy family, loved him but could never let go of her sense of superiority. After her death, Mr. Weston was left with financial ruin and had to send their son to live with his uncle to help recover his fortune.
Marriages of convenience Marriages of convenience, arranged to satisfy family interests, remained the most common type during this period, not only among the aristocracy or heirs of estates. These are conventional marriages, as marriage is considered a duty, and traditional in the sense that spouses fulfill the roles expected of them by society. Such unions can be tolerable under certain conditions, with financial comfort being among the most important.
General cases For some young women, the status of being honorably married is more important than the character of the man they marry. In
Sense and Sensibility, Mrs. Jennings arranges socially acceptable marriages for her daughters, providing generous dowries for Mary, the eldest, and Charlotte, the youngest. However, the couples are mismatched, as
Elinor Dashwood observes “the strange unsuitableness which often existed between husband and wife.” Sir John Middleton, a rural man with simple tastes, shares little in common with his elegant but overwhelmed wife, except a mutual enjoyment of hosting guests. Mr. Palmer, intelligent but somewhat snobbish, marries a young, pretty woman who tends to see everything in an overly positive light, which helps him cope with her lack of depth. In
Pride and Prejudice, Louisa Bingley’s dowry supports Mr. Hurst, a gentleman of little ambition, whose lifestyle revolves around eating, drinking, and playing cards. These couples, though mismatched, find a balance that allows their marriages to function, with the women generally avoiding conflict with their husbands. In
Persuasion, Charles and Mary Musgrove settle into a tolerable routine, appearing to be a happy couple. Charles is practical and good-natured, while Mary tends to complain and quarrel. Mary was Charles’s second choice; he had initially proposed to
Anne Elliot. Jane Austen suggests that had Anne accepted, she would have greatly improved Charles’s social and intellectual position. noting that it is “about as unhappy as most other married people’s.” She also mentions her aunt, who was unhappy with her unfaithful husband and disliked the sea. This marriage serves as a negative example for the young Crawfords, whose values have been shaped by their environment.
The Charlotte Lucas case , 1895). Marriage, in many ways, functions as a business arrangement where financial stability and social status take precedence. This is evident in the marriage of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins, which can be seen as a "marriage of convenience." Charlotte marries him with a sense of practicality, recognizing that marriage is the only viable option for a well-educated but financially disadvantaged young woman. She strategically redirects Mr. Collins’ attention toward herself, relieving Elizabeth of an unwanted proposal. Charlotte enters the marriage with realistic expectations, while Mr. Collins marries out of a sense of duty, believing his new position entitles him to a wife. Charlotte’s motivations are grounded in securing a stable home, while Mr. Collins imagines he is in love. She openly admits to Elizabeth that she is not motivated by romance, and while the narrator acknowledges her desire to secure a stable life, it also comments on the limitations of her situation. Elizabeth, however, feels that Charlotte has sacrificed her personal values for practical gain. From a different perspective, some critics argue that Charlotte’s decision was a sensible one given her circumstances. At the margins of the novel, Austen hints at a future for Charlotte that includes a gradual rise in social status. Through her marriage to Mr. Collins, she secures a more comfortable position as a rectors wife, gaining a status similar to, though lower than Elizabeth’s; though should Mr Collins inherit the Longbourn estate, their status would be similar.
Marriages of convenience The Austen family loved charades, and one attributed to Jane Austen touches on this theme: You may lie on my first by the side of a stream, And my second compose to the nymph you adore, But if, when you've none of my whole, her esteem And affection diminish — think of her no more!
"Such things are so common" Jane Austen disapproved of marrying for money, but she also recognized that financial interests and mercantile motives were common in her society. Her novels often feature marriages driven by wealth, such as General Tilney in
Northanger Abbey and Mr. Elliot in
Persuasion, both of whom married for fortune. General Tilney married Miss Drummont, who brought a large dowry, while Mr. Elliot married an heiress, carefully considering her fortune before committing. The cynical William Elliot's past is revealed to
Anne by Mrs. Smith: "He wanted to make his fortune quickly and was determined to do so through marriage." He wed a well-bred and well-dowered heiress, prudently ensuring the exact amount of her fortune before committing. Mrs. Smith adds that "such things are so common that when someone, man or woman, marries for money, if you live in society, you hardly notice it." Austen also portrays characters who pursue marriage for financial gain. Wealthy women, like Caroline Bingley or
Mary Crawford, see marriage as a strategic move, while poorer women, like Isabella Thorpe, are desperate to find wealthy suitors but often fail. Mrs. Clay, an opportunist, tries to win the attention of Sir Walter Elliot’s heir, Mr. Elliot.
Lucy Steele is a skilled social climber, using flattery and manipulation to secure Edward Ferrars, but when he is disinherited, she shifts her focus to his wealthier brother. Austen often criticizes such characters, portraying them as selfish and shallow, with futures filled with domestic strife. Other characters, like
Miss Augusta Hawkins and Mr. Elton, are more focused on securing a match for their social advancement.
Willoughby marries Miss Grey for her large dowry, and while he regrets losing
Marianne Dashwood, he enjoys a degree of happiness in his marriage. Finally, characters like
John Dashwood and Mr. Elton marry women who suit their ambitions, leading to relationships that, while based on convenience, appear superficially harmonious, similar to Charlotte Lucas’s practical marriage to Mr. Collins.
The Maria Bertram case 's Conduct Manual gives advice on how to become a "good wife." Maria Bertram in
Mansfield Park is an example of someone who marries out of pride and spite. She soon becomes dissatisfied with him, feeling trapped in her new situation. Her marriage, like that of many women in her time, is seen as a means of securing financial stability rather than emotional fulfillment. The marriage ends in scandal, as she succumbs to her feelings for Henry Crawford, leading to social rejection. In the era’s
conduct books, such as
Hester Chapone's
Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, there were warnings about marriages based solely on financial gain or social status. but this mindset could undermine the possibility of forming genuine, lasting relationships. == Role models ==