RE: Discussion questions – Pride and Prejudice: Giving special attention to Wickham, Charlotte Lucas
- Giving special attention to Wickham, Charlotte Lucas, and Elizabeth, compare and contrast male and female attitudes toward marriage in the novel.
- Discuss the relationship between Mrs. Bennet and her children, especially Elizabeth and Lydia.
- Compare and contrast the Bingley-Darcy relationship with the Jane-Elizabeth relationship.
- Compare and contrast the roles of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mrs. Bennet.
- Giving special attention to Wickham, Charlotte Lucas, and Elizabeth, compare and contrast male and female attitudes toward marriage in the novel.
The attitude towards marriage depends entirely on the characters. At first, “marriage for money”- this attitude is presented through Mr. Collins and Charlotte. Both men and women of Austen’s society had internalized the idea that women were financially and socially dependent on men. Women of that time sought men above her station only for financial security. Men also understood it. Perhaps most importantly, Austen uses Elizabeth Bennet to show the contrast between marriage for love and marriage of the era. Elizabeth Bennet’s views were very much disregarded at that time. Jane Austen uses this contrast to show happiness is more often found in Elizabeth Bennet’s idealistic views than in taking a ‘chance’ with any man of ‘good fortune’ and she is rewarded at the end of the novel with her marriage and security with Mr Darcy.
