Difficult Marriages

           Throughout the pages of Jane Austen’s novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, it often places much emphasis on women and their views on marriage. This motif is a very significant theme in the book due to the fact that many of the characters within the book concentrate primarily on this matrimonial ceremony.

            Mr. Bennet, as the novel progresses, admits to the main character, Elizabeth that he had made a terrible mistake in marrying her mother. The reader, prior to his admittance, realizes that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s marriage is seemingly very odd and in complete shambles.

          Elizabeth sees that although, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have been married for twenty-three years, they are complete opposites and thus, share absolutely no common interest whatsoever. Mr. Bennet is described as a man who ‘was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice’ whilst Mrs. Bennet is describes as being ‘a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper.’ They thus can be said to have very little compatibility.

            In the book’s entirety, Mr. Bennet does not exhibit any affection towards his wife.  Similarly, Mrs. Bennet does not understand Mr. Bennet and shows very little regard towards his feelings, opinions and views. There is, hence, a lack of communication between both counterparts.  

            This is understandable since their marriage was based entirely on ‘physical attraction’. Mr. Bennet was ‘captivated by youth and beauty’; however, after experiencing her true ways he loses all respect for her.

            Children are, in fact, affected by difficult marriage. They may show signs of such in their behaviour, actions and values and even in their attainment or achievement of grades in school. For instance, Lydia’s impertinent behaviour in the book could be said to have been as a result of the ‘difficult marriage’ between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. She in seeing the way her parents behave elopes with Mr. Wickham, a man she barely knows, just as her father did in marrying Mrs. Bennet based entirely on physical attraction.

            Furthermore, Lydia, in her poor learning ethics and manners, shows her disinterest in the book Mr. Collins insisted on reading in a rather impolite manner. This could have been uncivil behaviour she adapted from witnessing her parent’s behaviour towards one another.

            It is completely unacceptable and intolerable to stay in a marriage just for the sake of the children. Both partners usually, in that kind of situation, show signs of resentment towards each other which would make the atmosphere within the household very uneasy and deficient (much like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet). This could also affect the child mentally and emotionally in being in such an atmosphere and the parents would constantly be at war with each other.

            However, it may be considered unfair to the children since both partners are necessary to contribute to the household and attribute their different functions. It is, hence, often said that both partners are required in the household in order for the functional prerequisites of family to transpire. They may develop signs of depression because of this and may not be able to see one of their parents as often as they used to. Therefore, it is important to consider the child, in the situation of divorce or separation, to a certain extent.