Pride and Prejudice 5

A major theme in Pride and Prejudice is that of marriage, love, and how the two are intertwined.  There are some, such as Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet who believe that one should embrace marriage "solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment" (Austen 106).  In this instance, marriage and love are two separate entities and should remain separate.  The purpose of marriage, according to Charlotte, Mrs. Bennet, and some of society at this time, is to marry a man who can take care of you monetarily.  On the other hand, those like Lizzy are challenging that belief in society.  She declines Mr. Collins's marriage proposal because she does not love him and because it is not an arrangement that she wants.  This goes against societal norms because she is expressing her own opinions, especially when they are not the common opinions regarding marriage as an arrangement of security and social status.  Jane's opinions are somewhere in between the two radical viewpoints.  She seems to really enjoy the presence of Mr. Bingley, but at the same time, he would be a good provider for her monetary and social status.