Discuss the Importance of Love and Money in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

'Pride and Prejudice' is considered to be one of the classic romantic novels and through it, Jane Austen has created one of the most famous literary couples in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. Theirs is a love which develops and overcomes various obstacles including their own pride and prejudices, as well as the prejudices of 18th Century English society including social status and wealth. This essay will focus on the themes of love and money and their importance and influence on the main relationships of the novel.

In Austen's England the chief aim for women was to find a suitable husband; one which would provide security for both herself and her family. Marriage was the only form of social advancement for women. The character of Mrs Bennet epitomises this in her over-the-top desire to marry off each of her daughters as soon as possible. The first page of the novel introduces her character as she hears of a new occupant of Netherfield, a single man with a fortune, and of her intentions of having him marry one of her daughters. Austen's opening line - “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” (Austen, J (1813) Pride and Prejudice, London: Penguin Popular Classics, (1994) p.5) - is the assumption of not only Mrs Bennet, but of neighbouring families also and Austen satirises this in saying he is considered to be the property of one of their daughters. In this instance, it is shown that, providing he is wealthy, any man may be suitable for marriage.

The marriage of Elizabeth Bennet to Mr Darcy is a happy one, however their relationship does not start out as such. He is described as being above his company with no interest of being introduced to anyone. Mrs Bennet comments on his behaviour, desiring no match with any of her daughters despite his fortune, and so it can be argued that she does have some concern for her daughters' happiness. It is not until the crisis of the novel – Lydia's...