Portrayal of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice depicts different attitudes towards marriage. "The intricate social network that pervades the novel is one that revolves around the business of marriage." Through her female characters the reader sees the different attitudes towards marriage and the reasons these women have for getting married. These depend on their social status and personal values. The reader is shown the most widespread and common view of marriage held by society in Austen's time, and through the heroine, a different opinion on marriage is explored. We are shown how marriage is viewed by the wealthy and the values ​​they emphasize in marriage. Through the characterization of these women and the use of irony, Austen influenced the reader's opinions of the characters' attitudes toward marriage and that of their contemporaries. Charlotte Lucas's views on marriage conform to those of contemporary society. For Charlotte, the "situation" is everything. It doesn't need any emotional motivation, just a willingness to participate in the deal. Marriage had always been his object; it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain they were of giving happiness, it must be their most pleasant way of preserving themselves from poverty. She does not even need pleasant ways from her husband, as is evident from her choice in Mr. Collins. He does not believe that love is necessary for marriage and thinks that a woman should take the first opportunity given to her in marriage and perhaps this could lead to love. This is evident from his comments to Lizzie in reference to Jane and Mr. Bingley. When she is sure of him, there will be... middle of paper... Norton & Company, 1966. 374 -388.Litz, A. Walton, Jane Austen: a study of her artistic development. Oxford University Press, 1965, p. 198.Moler, Kenneth. Pride and Prejudice: A Study in the Arts Economy. Boston, MA: Twayne Publishers, 1989.Mullane, Janet & Wilson, Robert Thomas, Criticism of Nineteenth-Century Literature. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1988, vol. 19, pp. 2, 4-8, 14, 17, 32, 42, 55-6, 58 and 66-7. "A Review of 'Pride and Prejudice,'" Critical Review, Vol. 3, no. 3, March 1813, pp. 318-24. Southam, BC, (ed.), Jane Austen: The Critical Heritage. Landon, NY: Routledge and Kegan Paul - Barres & Nobel Inc., 1968. Weldon, Fay. Readings on Jane Austen Taplinger Publishing Co. Inc, 1984 in. Ed.Wright, Andrew H. “Sentiment and Complexity in Pride and Prejudice.” Ed. Donald Gray. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1966. 410-420.