Love Against Society in Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice by Jane Austen explores English social standards in the early 1800s. It shows the emphasis on marriage or, that is, on who do you marry. This story is made up of three marriages. The first is socially based, the second is based on mutual admiration between two people and the third represents a man's love and fight for a woman. This novel shows how marriage and love can arrest or improve social status and how love overcomes adversity. The first marriage is that of the youngest Bennet, Miss Lydia. She is reckless and spontaneous. During a trip to her uncle's house, she runs away with Mr. Wickham, a militiaman. Mr. Wickham has no intention of marrying her. This is a tragic social step. It is thought that the real reason for this escape is not love. To this Mrs. Gardiner then says, “It is indeed too great a breach of decency, honor, and interests for him to be guilty of it” (Austen 375). Only a few chapters later, Mr. Wickham is financially persuaded to marry Miss Bennet. Neither has any way of sustaining the intemperate life they live. These two eccentric young people, however, do not end well. Mr Bennet refuses to see his daughter after the wedding. Despite financial help occasionally provided by Jane Bingley and Elizabeth Darcy, they are rarely invited to see their family, as they often overstay their welcome. In the final chapter it says, "...His affection for her soon sank into indifference; his lasted a little longer" (Austen 520). This marriage based entirely on the attraction between a handsome and charming man and a impetuous and stupid sixteen-year-old girl ended with a very poor social appearance and exclusion from many intimates...... middle of paper.... .. society will improve, but when love is found for society, society will disappoint the lovers. Works Cited Auerbach, Nina. “Waiting Together: Pride and Prejudice.” Pride and prejudice. By Jane Austen. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: Norton and Co., 1993. pp. 336-348. Austen, Jane. Pride and prejudice. 1813. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: Norton and Co., 1993.Harding, D.W. "Regulated Hate: An Aspect in the Work of Jane Austen." Pride and prejudice. By Jane Austen. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: Norton and Co., 1993. pp. 291-295. Johnson, Claudia L. "Pride and Prejudice and the Pursuit of Happiness." Pride and prejudice. By Jane Austen. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: Norton and Co., 1993. pp. 367-376. Mudrick, Marvin. “Irony as Discovered in Pride and Prejudice.” Pride and prejudice. By Jane Austen. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: Norton and Co., 1993, pp. 295-303.