1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary.
During the time in which Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice, marriage customs were much different than those of today. Young woman were expected to marry older men only for the purpose of reproduction and the accumulation of wealth. However, Austen sought to change this standard and create a marriage the contains love and a true desire to be with each other. By creating relationships between characters that are foreign and unusual of her time and the tone used throughout the novel, Austen attempts to persuade readers that the marriage standards of her time needed to be changed.
One marriage custom of Austen’s time was marriage within families. Although this idea differs from that of our time, in the nineteenth century it was deemed acceptable for two cousins to get married to each other. This type of relationship can be found in Pride and Prejudice. In the novel, when Mr. Collins comes to town he decides to marry one of the Bennett girls, his cousins. After much thought and consideration, Mr. Collins decides to propose to Elizabeth, who ultimately rejects his proposal even though she had no other suitable prospects at the time. Mr. Collins goes on to marry Charlotte Lucas, with whom he was not related to. Although marriage between cousins was allowed at the time, Austen’s decision to have Elizabeth reject her cousin was deliberate in showing her disapproval of the custom and her tendency to agree with the need for change in marriage. Because Mr. Collins ends up with a woman that was of his own social class and that was not related to him Austen shows something that she may want to see in a marriage.
Although Mr. Darcy has the option to marry whomever he wants, he chooses to marry Elizabeth Bennet even though she is of a lower social class than he. She has significantly less money, her family name is not one that is important to carry on to further generation and in the beginning, shows no interest at all in Mr. Darcy. Darcy fights to win Elizabeth, and in time he does. The love-struck couple soon decides to get married and not worry about the financial and social difference between the two. This was not like many relationships of the nineteenth century. Typically men of the time would marry rich women for their money and status in order to maintain their own family status and inherit the wealth of their wife.. Mr. Darcy however does neither of the two by marrying Elizabeth. With this relationship the key components of a modern day marriage are present. This is very similar to the relationship depicted by Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, showing a strong resemblance to marriages of modern times and Austen’s probable approval of marriages now.
The tone that Austen uses throughout the novel seem to mock the ideas of the time. In the first pages of the book, Austen pokes fun at the over-bearing tendency of parents of the 19th century by showcasing a conversation between the parents of the Bennet girls. The tone of the conversation is highly critical and harsh towards not only the girls but the parents as well. The tone of the first line of the novel also draws attention to the disapproval that Austen comes to show throughout the rest of her novel. The ironic tone and nature of her first line regarding how all women want a man to marry showcases the theme of the rest of the book, that love isn't always what people thought it would be.
The tone that Austen uses throughout the novel seem to mock the ideas of the time. In the first pages of the book, Austen pokes fun at the over-bearing tendency of parents of the 19th century by showcasing a conversation between the parents of the Bennet girls. The tone of the conversation is highly critical and harsh towards not only the girls but the parents as well. The tone of the first line of the novel also draws attention to the disapproval that Austen comes to show throughout the rest of her novel. The ironic tone and nature of her first line regarding how all women want a man to marry showcases the theme of the rest of the book, that love isn't always what people thought it would be.
The relationships shown is this novel defy the standards of 19th century marriage and are a cry of help from Austen asking for change. Not only does Austen defy the standards, she creates many solutions as to what a marriage should look and be like. Though risky at the time, Austen work foreshadowed the marriage concepts of our time and possibly inspired the change.
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