“If marriage is such a blessed state, how come, you might say, that there are so few happy marriages?” (Astel 2421). Marriage is a major theme of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, a key motivation for many of her characters. Set during the Napoleonic Wars (1797–1815), the novel presents marriage as a formally unified institution; however, personal motivations for getting married differ greatly. In Some Reflections on Marriage, which predates Austen's novel by more than a hundred years, Mary Astell explores the dysfunctional motivations that lead to marriage and the results that can be expected. Applying her views to marriages in Pride and Prejudice suggests that the women in Austen's novel would have done better to take her advice into consideration; according to Astell, most unions are conceived with wrong motivations and therefore will not bring happiness to their participants. Astell's feminist perspective on marriage was radical at the time. Nowadays, as a typical happy ending in both novels and films, marriage “represents in their [feminists'] view submission to a male narrative imperative” (Newman 693). Indeed, Karen Newman argues that the fairy-tale ending of Pride and Prejudice does not devalue the work from a feminist perspective, but that the novel's attention to conflicts in women's situations in the early eighteenth century is more valuable than "parody[ ing] male models of action” (705). Exploring Austen's novel from seemingly contrasting feminist perspectives will show the intricate commentary on women's position in society that this work advocates, from the developing plot to what appears to be a happy ending. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In Some Reflections on Marriage, Astell argues that the first inquiry of a man looking for a wife concerns her value; how rich is she, how many acres of land will she bring him? These considerations are expressed in particular by Mr. Darcy, as he explains to Elizabeth Bennet his attempt to prevent Mr. Bingley from making a marriage proposal to his sister Jane. . Darcy calls “the situation of your mother's family” (Austen 228), meaning their lower social class and unmoderated wealth, “questionable” (228). Marrying for wealth is a motivation that emerges several times in Austen's work: Wickham, who ends up marrying Lydia Bennet, agrees to do so only after Darcy promises to pay off his debts and the Bennets guarantee him a small income. Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins, which Elizabeth refused, reflecting that marriage is "the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their most agreeable condom from need". (163). Charlotte does not romanticize her marriage; living a relatively comfortable life is his primary goal, and happiness is a secondary consideration. Some Reflections Upon Marriage places the primary focus on the goal of being happily married, and so the concluding statement on the topic of marrying for wealth clashed with Charlotte's point of view: "But just as property should be regarded, so it should not be the main thing, much less the only consideration; happiness does not depend on wealth” (2421). Astell argues that there is no big difference between “marrying for the sake of money, or for loveof beauty; in both cases man does not act according to reason, but is governed by irregular appetites” (2422). Perhaps the clearest example of marriage for the sake of beauty is the union between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet; "[Mr. Bennet] fascinated by youth and beauty . . . had married a woman whose feeble intelligence and illiberal mind had put an end very early in their marriage to any real affection for her" (262). Astell adds that, as well as overshadowing someone's less attractive personality, beauty also has a tendency to fade. Darcy's love for Elizabeth is centered on her intelligence and personality; for many this would seem convincing as a basis for a happy marriage. However, Astell argues that the greatest attraction of wit is its surprising, light and inexplicable nature; it has “no true excellence and value in itself” (2422) and therefore will not entertain for long. Especially in the case of Elizabeth, with its frankness which in some moments she may be described as irascible, it is not improbable that Darcy would “provoke such a wife to exercise her wits, that is, her spleen upon him, and therefore it is not difficult to imagine how much she will please him” (2422). Even Lydia Bennet, whose elopement with Wickham results in a less than scandalous scene, can be seen as motivated by love. As previously mentioned, Astell recognizes the need to consider an asset; both Lydia and Wickham have no money to their names when they decide to flee. Lydia's motivation to marry for love can only end in regret, according to Astell: "there can be no true kindness among those who can agree to make each other miserable" (2421). During the time period in which Pride and Prejudice was set, women could not properly be said to have a choice regarding who they wanted to marry; all they could do was refuse or accept the offers made to them (Astell 2422). Astell encourages women to learn, educate themselves and improve themselves; women should be taught that finding a husband is not the highest plan they can have. This feminist view is supported to some extent by Elizabeth; she not simply rejects Mr. Collins's relatively wealthy proposal because she knows their marriage will not be a happy one, but she also rejects Mr. Darcy's first proposal, ignoring her considerable wealth and status, which would raise her to the highest ranks of society. society and ensure a comfortable life. Both times Elizabeth values ​​her deep dislike for the person of her suitor more than the advantages that marriage would bring. These decisions show that Elizabeth refuses to be motivated by wealth when it comes to marriage and reveal that getting a husband is not her first priority. Finally, realizing that she has judged Darcy's character too rashly, she relents and agrees to marry him when he proposes to her for the second time. Elizabeth also falls into the trap of marrying for love, although some argue that she is more motivated by wealth than she lets on (Newman 698). The only reason a woman marries, according to Astell, is a heroic self. sacrifice as service to God and humanity, an act that could earn her a place in Heaven after this life; none of the women in Austen's novel seem to have this motive. Everyone seems to have a selfish perspective, marrying to provide a comfortable life, to avoid scandal, or to conclude a search for happiness. Also, aside from Elizabeth and Darcy, none of the couples seem to waste time getting married. In Charlotte's case, Mr. Collins' affection is transferred from Elizabeth to her within a matter of days, resulting in an engagement the next day. Astell states the following: "It is less surprising that women get married. 2016.