The Influence of Women’s Love Values on Their Marriages in Pride and Prejudice
Abstract
Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, was one of the most famous novels in the Romantic Time in Britain. In this novel, females’ attitudes and choices towards marriage, to a certain degree, reflected women’s love values at that time. And different love values will witness different marriages. Elizabeth, keeping her sense and being prudent when facing the man she loved, achieved her ideal marriage. Jane, being serious in love, got a happy ending with Mr. Bingley. Charlotte Lucas, a shrewd woman compared with Elizabeth, got a marriage for herself, although there was no love in it at the beginning. On the contrary, hasty Lydia, a woman of easy virtue, led an unfortunate life at last.
With the development of people’s living standards, the divorce rate in some countries is becoming higher and higher. And no matter in which country women are, they are the most victims when their marriages have broken up. Although marriages can be influenced by a great deal of factors, women’s love values will play a more important role. Combined with the background of the novel, beginning with the description of women’s marital status at present, then based on the main plot of the novel and by analyzing the characteristics of the four females (Elizabeth, Jane, Lucas, Lydia), their pursuits for love and choices for marriage, this paper aims to prove that a woman’s disposition will have great influence on her love values, and her love values will greatly affect her future marriage.
Only when a woman has chosen her marriage based on correct and healthy love values, can she get the most suitable marriage and enjoy her blessing marriage.
Key words: divorce rate; women’s dispositions; love values; marriage
The Influence of Women’s Love Values on Their Marriages in Pride and Prejudice
Outline
Thesis Statement: Women’s dispositions affect their love values, and their love values will greatly influence their future pictures of marriage.
I. Introduction
The High Divorce Rate
A Brief Introduction to the Four Marriages in Pride and Prejudice
II. The Analysis of Females’ Love Values in Pride and Prejudice
A. The Inspiration from Elizabeth’s Getting Ideal Marriage
B. The Enlightenment about the Combination of Jane and Bingley
C. The Pondering over the Marriage of Charlotte and Mr. Collins
D. The Reflection on Lydia’s Unfortunate Marriage
III. Conclusion
