从《傲慢与偏见》探究当代婚恋观

1、摘要摘要 简奥斯汀是十九世纪英国文学史上最杰出的小说家之一。她是少有的女 性作家之一，她的作品属于现实主义流派。她的巨作傲慢与偏见于 1813 年 出版。在十九世纪的英国，女性远远不拥有与男性平等的社会地位。那时，婚 姻是女性获得社会地位和稳定生活的唯一途径。通过傲慢与偏见里对五对 婚姻的描写，我们能看出作者奥斯汀本人的婚姻观：当我们选择婚姻的时候， 虽然说经济基础和社会地位很重要，但我们绝不能忽视爱和情感在一段婚姻中 的重要作用。奥斯汀认为仅仅为金钱而结婚是错误的，但是选择一段没有经济 做基础的婚姻是愚蠢的。在傲慢与偏见里，奥斯汀向我们展示了她的婚姻 观。她认为在一段婚姻中爱和经济基础是相互

2、联系的。幸福的婚姻应建立在相 互爱慕的相互理解上。傲慢与偏见如今在全世界范围内出版流行，给许多 人关于婚恋观的启示。这篇论文参考简奥斯汀的傲慢与偏见里的婚恋观， 致力于得出一个如何确立正确婚恋观的结论。在当代社会，我们每一个人都应 该确立正确的婚恋观。 关键词关键词：傲慢与偏见；简奥斯汀；社会地位；婚恋观；爱情 Abstract Jane Austen was one of the most distinguished realistic novelists in 19th century in English literature. Her masterpiece Pride and Pre

3、judice was published in 1813. In19th century, women dont have the equal social status as men. At that time, marriage was the only way for women to obtain social status and a steady life. According to the description of the five marriages in the Pride and Prejudice, we can see that Austen has her own

4、 view of marriage: when we begin to choose a marriage, although the effect of economic status is of great importance, we should not neglect the aspects of love and emotion. She believed that marriage just for money was wrong, but marriage of no money was stupid. She completely shows her view of marr

5、iage. Austens views on marriage emphasize true love and economic basis are associated with each other. A happy marriage should be based on true love and understanding rather than based on money or status. Now this book is popular all over the world. Many people are influenced by this novel. This the

6、sis is intended to draw a conclusion of how to choose the right marriage. In modern society, it is necessary for us to have right views on marriage. Key words: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, Social status, Marriage views, Love Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.I 摘要.II ABSTRACT.III TABLE OF CONTEN

7、TS.IV PART ONE INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 JANE AUSTEN.1 1.2 BACKGROUND OF CREATING PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.2 PART TWO FIVE MARRIAGES IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.4 2.1 CHARLOTTE LUCASS MARRIAGEREALISTIC.4 2.2 LYDIA BENNETS MARRIAGERIDICULOUS.5 2.3 JANE BENNETS MARRIAGEHAPPY.6 2.4 ELIZABETH BENNETS MARRIAGE ADMIRABLE

8、.6 2.5 MR. BENNET AND MRS. BENNETS MARRIAGENORMAL.7 PART THREE THE MARRIAGE VIEWS IN 19TH CENTURY .8 3.1 THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND IN 19TH CENTURY OF CREATING PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.8 3.2 THE MARRIAGE VIEWS IN 19TH CENTURY.8 PART FOUR REALISTIC MEANING OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICES MARRIAGE VIEWS.10 4.1 IN THE 1

9、9TH CENTURY.10 4.2 MODERN MARRIAGE VIEWS.11 PART FIVE CONCLUSION.14 WORKS CITED .16 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 Part One Introduction This chapter mainly introduces the background of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. And it shows who is Jane Austen and how she created Pride and Prejudice. Austens family and soc

10、ial background are mentioned in this chapter. 1.1 Jane Austen Jane Austen (1775-1817) a famous British novelist. She was born in the United Kingdom with eight siblings. Her father is a famous minister in the local place. His mother is born in a wealthy family. Her mother also knows something about c

11、ulture and literature. Therefore, although Austen did not attend school in the normal way, she was educated mainly by self-study. Her familys good condition and environment give her a good opportunity to insist her interest in writing. She was taught by her family members and her own reading. The gr

12、eat support from her family is beneficial to her progress of being a professional writer. Although she lives in a small town, she has read a great number of books at her own home. Therefore she knows a lot. Austen loves to read books pretty much, especially novels. She started writing at about twent

13、y-year-old. In 1811, she published her first novel: Sense and Sensibility, but it dis not bring her some fame overnight. She continue to write novels, and then she published Pride and Prejudice on 28 January 1813. It is the most famous and popular novel among Jane Austens novels. The book is Jane Au

14、stens second published novel. Austen created it between 1796 and 1797 in her own home. It took up much of Austens energy and time. Austen didnt get married in her life. Living in a small rural town, she has access to the beautiful nature. She creates beautiful and kind characters as she lives in a q

15、uiet and comfortable environment. Therefore, her novels dont reflect societys serious problem. According to her careful observation to life, she shows us her living environment in a vivid way. She tends to write love stories between ladies and gentlemen. Her stories are always beautifully-written, s

16、hed like to write them in a humorous way. The plot is wonderful and impressive. She explains that the reason why women depend on marriage is to pursue social status and economic security. There are always humorous conflicts. From the end of 18 century to the beginning of 19 century, there are many s

17、ad and so called fake Romanticism. Austen created novels on her own. She writes the middle classs daily life and beautiful rural scene. She is both romantic and realistic. Her work did not brought her much fame in her whole life, only a few 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 people know her during her lifetime. Fortunate

18、ly, she was introduced to public in 1869 through one of her nephews. It was not until the 1940s that she become widely accepted as a great female English writer in the literary world in England. Austen makes great contributions to British literature. Her works are both represented romanticism and re

19、alism. And her work has earned her a place as one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her realistic works and the criticism of society gave her a place in the history of British literature. And she is one of the most great female novelists. She promoted the development of British liter

20、ature. 1.2 Background of Creating Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice is one of Jane Austens most famous novels. It concerns about the life of ordinary people in countryside. As the representative of realistic literature, it describes the life and dreams of the middle class who live in the count

21、ryside. Pride and Prejudice makes an analysis of human nature and it shows peoples choices about their marriages. It reminds readers of thinking about their social relations and their own marriages. In the 19th century, the social conditions is different from what it is at present. Women were consid

22、ered to be inferior to men in many aspects. Therefore, women were not equal to men in social status and other aspects, like marriage. Men, even some women, taking it for grated that women should stay at home. Their main value were doing some housework, severing their husband, parents-in -law and tak

23、ing care of babies. They tended to ignore womens freedom and dignity. Women were not well respected at that time. Not like todays women can do whatever they want, at Jane Austens time, people thought that women are inferior to men. It is normal for a woman to obey her husbands order. The social cond

24、itions made women to admit their low social status, and most of them have to obey their husband. Not to mention men were like to take charge of women. There in no doubt that the society in 19th century in Britain is unfair to women. Although the womens status are very low in 19th century, many of th

25、em dont have the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction about their unfair conditions. Only through the way of getting married can they change their social status. They can also choose to stay at home or work as a family female teacher. But neither of them was an easy way for them to achieve t

26、heir dreams. Whats worse, they may not gain social status in these ways at all. People were always have prejudice on those who did not get married. If a woman want to have a stable life or to be respected, a good marriage is the best choice. So we can take it for granted that marriage is of 河南师范大学本科

27、毕业论文 great importance to the women in that age. So in Pride and Prejudice, Austen shows a few examples of women choose their marriage in terms of money and social status. However, as a woman who has advanced ideas, Jane Austen expresses her dissatisfaction of the wrong views of marriage. She critici

28、zed some wrong views of marriage at that time directly in her masterpiece Pride and Prejudice. She thought when we begin to choose a marriage, although the effect of property and social status is of great significance, we should not overlook the aspects of love and emotion. Austen wanted to call up

29、womens awareness to gain their rights in their marriage. At that time, many people could not understand her views of marriage. But today, Pride and Prejudice has been translated into different languages and has been adapted to different versions. It has been published all over the world and has a la

30、rge number of book or film fans. It gives people a guidance to have a deep thought of their marriages. 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 Part Two Five marriages in Pride and Prejudice Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice makes me have a further understanding of the concept of marriage. The author describes different kinds o

31、f marriages in a few funny and humorous languages. All these views of marriage can reflect the attitudes of marriage in the age when Jane Austen lives. According to the marriage of these five couples, Charlotte and Collins, Lydia and Wickham, Jane and Mr. Binley, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bennet

32、and Mrs. Bennet, it can be concluded that its blind and wrong to marry someone just because of the money or his/her pretty appearances. What is well known to us all is that a happy marriage is definitely based on true love and understanding. 2.1 Charlotte Lucass marriageRealistic Charlotte is Elizab

33、eths best friends, but obviously they have totally different understanding of marriage, so when they have to make choices, they choices on marriage are different. Just like Elizabeth, Charlotte doesnt have possessed much money. Although she is average in appearance, she is pretty smart, maybe kind o

34、f shrewd. She thought that happiness in marriage is something that depend on ones fortune. And she never think thoroughly what is true love. Therefore, her choice of marriage does not consider love but concerns about money. As a 27-year- old woman, she chooses to marry somebody in a hurry. Her choic

35、e of marriage is totally due to the consideration of reality. Her marriage with Collins is just for money. The first time she met Collins, she has already known that he is quite stupid. She is quite sure that Mr. Collins is neither intelligent nor agreeable. Although she has already known he is not

36、easy to get along well with, she agrees his proposal without hesitation. Obviously, Collins is not her Mr. right. But still, she picks up him as her husband due to he will have a lot of money. Charlotte choose her marriage without thinking about either who is the man or who she will has a matrimony,

37、 marriage had always been the most decent way or her object to live a better life. Marriage is always the only honorable means for well-educated young women who has small fortune to change their fates or social status. So they will do everything they can to seize the opportunity, although it may be

38、uncertain for them to gain happiness. This is Charlotte and the majority of womens choices. Charlottes view of marriage is that money is of great importance. She gets a marriage just for money. Therefore, she just married a man have a large amount of money but has nothing in 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 common with

39、 her. She only has the safety in economy. As for Collins, he is truly stupid because of his concept of marriage. He asks Elizabeth to marry him just because he thinks he can hire the possession of Bennet family. To some degree, he has the same view with Charlotte. They all believe that money is the

40、key to marriage. Both of them are shallow. The meaning of marriage is just a kind of assignment. They dont understand the reason why we have a marriage. Their marriage is based on money. However, to some extent, they all get what they want: Charlotte will have rich life, Collins has a happy life. Th

41、ats their views of marriage. 2.2 Lydia Bennets marriageRidiculous Lydia is the youngest girl in Bennets family. She is a pig- minded, vanity girl. She is eager to join social activity in such a young age. She hangs out with officers in Meryton, and she is pretty proud of that. She is eager to attend

42、 social activities under the influence of her mother. Her mother are likely to bring her to the public. For herself, she is sexual mature earlier than her sisters, maybe she is a little absorbed in sex. So she would like to seduce man. Lydia tries her best to get the attentions of the officers. She

43、pursue the officers because her own easy manners recommended her to do so, and her uncles good dinner is also make her to do something. Both of them had increased into assurance. The only thing Wickham has is a handsome appearance. Actually, he is a vain, dishonorable and immoral man. At first, he t

44、ries to entice Miss. Darcy, a beautiful and rich girl. Fortunately, he did not make it. Then he begins to kiss Elizabeths ass. After that, he do what he can do to pursue a rich lady. Eventually, he began to eloped with Lydia. Obviously, this would ruin Lydias fame thoroughly in that age. He promises

45、 to marry Lydia on condition that he can get a large amount of money. With the economic assistance of Mr. Darcy, they eventually get married. But their marriage is not based on love. What they value most is the appearance of a people. They fall in love with somebody easily, they hardly understand th

46、e meaning of love and marriage. Soon after their marriage, their manners of living are different, their enthusiasm of marriage is gone. All of them were unsettled in the extreme. Both of them are not responsible for their marriage. What they want to have is their own freedom and happiness. Soon they

47、 run out of money, in order to get a cheap living condition, they have to move from a place to another. This couple spend money without limitation, they always can not afford their expense. Wickhams affection to her wife soon faded, and Lydias love to her husband also did not last long. At last, the

48、y were indifferent to each other. They are not happy at all. What her marriage give her is not a 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 stable and happy life, but a waste of time and energy. Besides, she got a bad reputation which her marriage brought to her. It seems that they get what they expected in their marriage, Lydia

49、 has a handsome husband, Wickham receives a great deal of money. But their marriage is unsuccessful and unhappy. But thats their views of marriage. They deserve the bad consequences. 2.3 Jane Bennets marriageHappy Jane and Mr. Binleys marriage is considered as the perfect marriage. Jane, as the elde

50、st girl in Bennet. She is a pretty, graceful and nice girl. These qualities attracts Mr. Binleys eyes on her. Mr. Binley is a handsome and rich young gentleman. They fall in love with each other quickly. But they once have misunderstanding and they have to break up for some time. They overcome so ma

51、ny difficulties. Fortunately, they are determined to live together. Eventually, Mr. Binley asks Jane to marry her. And Jane agrees his proposal of marriage. Everything goes well. Their marriage can be considered as one of the most admirable marriages. However, as far as I am concerned, this kind of

52、marriage is rare in real life. Not every girl is as beautiful as Jane, and not every man is as handsome as Mr. Binley. Whats more, marriage is not just something based on the attraction between each other. They are supposed to possess a sincere and deep love, rather than marry somebody just for temp

53、erament. There is one thing that their love or marriage is mediocre. I am afraid that it cant last forever. Anyway, it is an good marriage. 2.4 Elizabeth Bennets marriage Admirable The relationship between then is what really so called true love. They get married because they know they love each oth

54、er with heart and soul. As we all know, the first impression is of great significance. Unfortunately, neither of the two people leaves a good impression to each other. Elizabeth considers Darcy as a insolent and rude guy. Thats her prejudice. Mr. Darcy overlooks Lizzys advantages and good virtues be

55、cause Elizabeths shabby status and her relatives who have a bad manner in behaving and speaking. Thats his proud. Later, Mr. Darcy realizes that he has deep misunderstanding of Elizabeth. And he finds that he has already fallen in love with Elizabeth. After that, he begins to pursue Elizabeth. Altho

56、ugh Elizabeth refuses to his confessions of love, he is not eager to give up. Instead, he determines to take actions to prove his love to Elizabeth. Eventually, they set up a steady relationship. The first time Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him. Lizzy refuses and blames Mr. Darcy for his pride a

57、nd his improper behaviors. Due to Elizabeths words, Darcy has a deep self-examination. Then, he takes measures to improve 河南师范大学本科毕业论文 himself. After receiving Darcys letter, Elizabeth clears up the misunderstanding between each other. Therefore, she changes her mind and gives up her prejudice. If t

58、hey had not been for a letter to explain the misunderstanding between them, they should not be married. Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever. That is the most admirable marriage. But in my opinion, in addition to their true love in their marriage, another necessary condition is M

59、r. Darcys possession. A marriage without money wont last long. We should make full preparations for our marriage, both mentally and physically. Money does not stand for anything, but it is the basic thing of a marriage. If a marriage is just for money, it is definitely wrong. However, a marriage of

60、no money is unreasonable. 2.5 Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennets marriageNormal When Mr. Bennet was young, He married Mrs. Bennet just because of her beautiful appearance. He thought he had a happy marriage at first. With time goes by, he realizes that he gets into a huge trouble. Mrs. Bennet is out of all