Pride and Prejudice

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

The first sentence of the book establishes marriage as one of the major themes and the marriage of wealthy men, in particular, as the focus. Before any action takes place, we hear of the arrival of wealthy Bingley at Netherfield; Mrs. Bennet’s immediate reaction is to hope for him to marry one of her daughters. Throughout Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet will fixate on marrying off her daughters to wealthy men. Though a cursory examination suggests Mrs. Bennet’s obsession is superficial and frivolous, the threat of financial difficulty for her daughters is real. Her husband’s estate is entailed to a distant male relation, and her own inheritance is too small to support her daughters’ future. The importance of marrying a man who is financially secure reflects women’s dependence on their husbands or, in the case of unmarried women, male relations. In addition to illustrating the focus on marriage, this quotation establishes the prevalence of gossip in the novel.

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”

A contrast is established between Elizabeth’s and Charlotte Lucas’s perceptions of marriage. Elizabeth, claiming Jane’s “design” is not to “get a rich husband, or any husband” (23) but rather to fall in love, thinks Jane should take her time getting to know Bingley.