... marriage' thus differ sonically in both the eras. This novel is an interesting observation as it contains instances to other of the time periods. The book starts with a terrific line, undeniably quoted a few hundred thousand times: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of ... old Victorian ideal of a perfect marriage- the well bred, courteous couple. There are several proposals as well as engagements and marriages in the book. The first one readers come across is Mr. Collins' proposal to our protagonist, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Collins is an insensibl...

• Word Count: 2459
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... be in want of a wife". With these famous words, Jane Austen launched into what has come to be regarded by many as the greatest romance novel of all time. Written in late 1790's England, in a time of radical social upheaval and political change, "Pride and Prejudice" presents ... she writes very favourably, it could be supposed that Austen's attitude towards marriage, and the position of women in society, in writing this book was one of traditional rural conservatism. However, before we can accept this supposition, we must recall that Elizabeth has already turned down two well ... happi...

• Word Count: 1833
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to Fitzwilliam Darcy after their first encounter. Darcy seems anything but a man Elizabeth would care to marry, yet as their relationship grows, Austen paints a romance for the reader in which social class and first impressions are broken to reveal Darcy as not just more than he first appeared, but as the ideal ... is very rare in that his intentions are not for a marriage to further his reputation or fortune, but for love, which Austen sees as the best basis for marriage. It is for this reason that Darcy goes to such lengths to keep Elizabeth as he grows more and more fond of her, ......

• Word Count: 1964
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School