18th Century and Marriage

When looking at the novel Pride and Prejudice in order to fully understand the events that took place and the full effect of the decisions of particular characters when must first understand the context in which it was written. Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen during the 18th Century. Jane Austen was the daughter of a clergyman (a male minister of the church) and was one of 8 children in her family. She was formally educated until the age of 11, which was a relatively good education for a women in those days as many women did not receive any education. After the age of 11 she then continued self study in literature through the use of books in her family library. Although Jane Austen was never married, marriage in the 18th Century was seen as the only way a women could ever gain any freedom from their family.


In the 18th Century marriage was more often than not for wealth and security rather than love, which may seem outrageous to the 21st century women of today but back then because females did not have as many rights and as much power. A women was almost entirely dependent on the male in their lives whether it be their father, brother or husband. So in order to ensure they were to be looked after particularly when they were no longer young a thought of as 'beautiful', it became the top priority between the ages of around 16-25 to find a fit husband.  Who could over them financial security, the opportunity to have a child and possibly (depending on what social standing the husband possessed) advancement of class.

Social Classes

Class was a significant factor to consider before marriage, as it was perceived as improper and unusual to marry beneath your class. Marriage was often about moving up a class (particularly if you were from a lower class) as it was secure and could provide a better future for you and your children. The three main classes in the 18th century were the Aristocrats, the Middle Class and the Lower Class. The Aristocrats, which was the social standing Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley had (although Mr Bingley was a very low level Aristocrat), these people were at the top of English Society. They consisted of dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, barons and were often born into an wealthy families who had been wealthy for quite a few generations meaning they did not have to work for their fortune. The Middle Class which was the class the Bennet and Lucas family, was the class that had the majority of people in it. The Middle Class was made up of people who were relatively wealthy but had to work for their money who consisted of: clergymen, barristers, merchants, lower-ranking military officers and shop keepers.The clergyman were considered to be the wealthiest in this category and were therefore seen at the upper end of the middle class (for example the Bennet family).  The lower class consisted of the poor and labourers such as craftsmen, domestic service provider (maid, butler, cook e.t.c), farmers and the unemployed.

Diagram of 18th Century Social Classes

In the 18th Century your position in the social classes influenced whether or not you were even considered to be a suitable husband and the people you had to chose from. For example in the beginning of the novel when Mrs Bennet found out that a wealthy single male (who was part of a higher class) was moving to their town she expressed how she wanted her daughters to be top contenders and pushed her daughters to make an acquaintance with him as he was very good potential suitable husband due to his wealth and reputation. "A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!" (J. Austen, 1813: 6). 

The 18th Century Upper Middle Class Women

From our 21st century perspective, the concerns of Pride and Prejudice may seem rather ridiculous. Who cares if the Bennet girls ever get married? Can't they just go on living their fabulous single lives?

Well, no. In the early 18th century there was no such thing as moving out of your parents' house, no such thing as building a career then worrying about marriage later, and marriage was literally the most important decision a woman could make. 

The Bennet sisters are all upper middle class women who were all brought up relatively privileged by having a house keeper, cook and maids so they never learned any domestic skills. This meant that they were looked upon as 'proper' upper class ladies as they had not had a need to learn peasant duties. However it also mean that if one of them were never to marry their lives would be extremely difficult, as they would have to live off an allowance from their family and would have trouble trying to take care of herself having not learnt any domestic skills. Also because of the Bennets social standing none of the daughters could take one of the few jobs available to women to supplement their allowance as there were few respectable jobs they could take up. Which left marriage as the only honorable provision for women in the class of society to which the Bennet family belonged. 

This is why Mrs. Bennet  desired all her daughter's to be married as she did not want any of them to become an old maid and have to live a rough life. However not all character shared this same view particular Lizzie (Elizabeth) as she wanted to marry for love, not wealth or status. This was shown when Lizzie found out about Miss Lucas engagement to Mr. Collins and thought it was ridiculous of Miss. Lucas to accept the proposal. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins, was the most humiliating picture!- And to the pang of friends disgracing herself and sunk her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen (J. Austen, 1813: 123). 

This video is a modern adaptation of the first few chapters of Pride and Prejudice showing Lizzie's opinion and view on Mrs. Bennets desire to marry off all her daughters.

Marriage: Is it for love or money?

These days most people marry for love. But is love really enough? Does it overcome our desires for security and privileged living?

Money Money song with Lyrics by Abba

Well in the 18th Century many people sure didn't think love was enough and the idea to marry for wealth and security was extremely common. In the novel Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Miss Lucas, Mr. Collins and many other character's shared this opinion that people should marry for security and respectability rather than love. Miss Lucas even stated to Elizabeth that  “I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home, and considering Mr. Collins’ character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” (J. Austen, 1813:330).  As a divorce was virtually impossible and extremely looked down upon back then, many of these wealth and security over love marriages often resulted in unhappy marriages, like Mr and Mrs Bennets marriage. Women simply could not divorce their husbands even if he was constantly drunk or abused her, unless the husband brought his mistress to live in their house. Therefore marriage settlements were drawn up so if the husband was to unexpectedly leave his wife or died, the wife would be able to get some money (usually the dowry previously paid to the husband upon marriage) to be able to use to take care of herself or to leave to her children.

Elizabeths Views on Marriage

Above is a modern Facebook profile of Elizabeth Bennet showing her views on marriage.

Breaking News: Lydia Bennet Elopes with Mr Wickham!

To help understand the full effect of Lydia's surprise marriage and what effect it would have had especially on the Bennets reputation if Mr Darcy had not fixed the situation. Below is a modern mock newspaper article with the most likely reaction this news would have had.

Breaking News: Lydia Bennet Elopes with Mr Wickam!

By Miss Kate Burge 

Miss Lydia Bennet and Mr Wicham pictured above.

News has just come in that apparently Miss Lydia Bennet daughter of Mr. and Mrs Bennet has eloped with bachelor Mr Wickham. Miss Lydia Bennet who has apparently been living unmarried with Mr Wickham for 2 weeks now, and known for her terribly flirty attitude particularly towards the military officers that visit Netherfield. It is said that she was supposed to be staying with a relative in the country but instead stayed alone with Mr Wickham! To think what sort of family this rebelious child has come from, letting her spend 2 weeks with a single man alone and unmarried. One would hope this nature does not  run in the family and is not present in her fellow single sisters. Also what sort of person must this Lydia Bennet be to defy her parents like this whilst unmarried and in the care of them. Thankfully for her and Mr. Wickham however, the young Mr. Darcy (who is rumoured to have interest in one of Lydia's sisters Elizabeth) came to their rescue by convincing Mr. Wickham to do the only respectable thing and marry Lydia. Who agreed after some convincing and signed a marriage agreement ensuring that Lydia would be taken care of if something were to happen to Mr Wickham. In this agreement Mr. Wickham asked for a very reasonable price for Lydias dowry which was just above the amount Mr Bennet would spend on Lydia each year anyway. After this latest fiasco I myself must reassess my association with the Bennets' as if this is any indication of their family it may be unwise to continue any association with them.