Jane Austens Portrayal of Marriage Essay - 900 Words

Jane Austen is a well known and loved author. Some of her novels of romantic fiction have been turned into films and they have aroused intense emotional attachments among the readers and viewers. Her books have become the basis for the true love romance story since their appearance on the literary scene. Today, Jane Austen is as popular as ever and revered as much as any literary figure in history because of her realism and biting social commentary. Austen’s plots highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing and economic security, and moral issues. Marriage was crucial because it was the only accessible form of self-definition for girls on society. Some critics suggest that her novels are based on her own life,†¦show more content†¦(51) Catherine considers the fact that â€Å"They are such a very different things. People that marry can never part, but must go and keep house together. People that dance only stand opposite each other in a long room for half an hour† (51). She fails to understand Henry’s metaphor but he defends his point with a series of logical appeals. Even he points out the many similarities of the two, Catherine feels uncertain about taking a stance. Here it is described that men goals were not a molded woman but an intelligent and freethinking wife. And there here again is a referring to the relation of the author’s life and her story. The character of Catherine Morland also shows that Austen had a strong opinion about marriage without love â€Å"And to marry for money I think is the wickedest thing in existence.† (86) Jane Austen’s portrayal of marriage in Persuasion reflects her view of the ideal marriage as one which is founded in common responsibilities and equality but still upholds the couple’s duties and obligations to society and family. The marriage of Admiral and Mrs. Croft exemplifies Austen’s belief that both partners should rely on each other. Admiral Croft steers for most of the time, but Mrs. Croft occasionally â€Å"gives the reigns a better direction herself† (62). However, Austen was not so nave as toShow MoreRelatedEssay about Jane Austens Portrayal of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice1877 Words   |  8 PagesJane Austens Portrayal of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice Marriage plays an extremely important role in Jane Austens novel Pride and Prejudice. The novel begins with the sentence It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. 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