Poor phrasing of proposals is the most common cause for rejected proposals by Bustle. The passages from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and In Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens had a similar setting. The setting was in England and in England, the Victorian era had many purposes for marriage. But, love was typically not the reason for marriage; improving their wealth or social class was important back then. Although, people still wanted to be loved; it is human nature. Both settings were proposing to a woman, although one of them will less likely succeed than the other one.
William uses a shoddy proposal to Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. On the other hand, In Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens, Bradley Headstone uses sterling proposal to Lizzie Hexam. Even if people mostly used marriage as a business deal, people still wanted to wed for love because marriages tend to be more successful when it means something. So in result, William Collins’s marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennett is not likely to be successful because it lacks passion. However, Bradley Headstone’s proposal to Lizzie Hexam will be successful because he is a package deal and because of his passion for her.
Jane Austen’s marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennett is not likely to be successful because it lacks passion. However, Charles Dicken’s proposal to Lizzie Hexam will be successful because it shows a lot of love. Jane Austen’s first sentence on his shoddy proposal states, “… First, that I think it is the right thing for every clergyman. ” He uses the word “First” emphasize his main reason to marry, because it is the “right thing. ” Revealing that Elizabeth is not his priority. A typical human would usually try to make the person feel important when they are proposing.
For him to state that this is the main reason for him to marry would convince Elizabeth that this proposal could have been for anyone. ” He then states his third reason, “it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady. ” In other words, his patroness. The words, “recommendation” and “advice” reveal that he did not plan to wed, but his patroness told him to do so. So, to impress her he decided to propose to Elizabeth. Which also reveals that there is no passion whatsoever. He also adds that the patroness requires, “… her be an active, useful… able to make a small income go a good way.
Revealing that she is looking for a skilled housewife. Therefore, Austen would look for the same thing. So, the audience would imply that he wants her to change to impress another lady. Austen definitely shows that impressing his patroness is his priority. Elizabeth would feel jealous and unimportant because it is a natural reaction: humans tend to feel jealous when they are someone else’s second choice. Jane Austen’s proposal obviously proves that he would have proposed anyone that would impress his patroness and that he also lacks passion, which led him to be less successful.
Charles Dickens’s marriage proposal is likely to succeed because he communicates his love passionately and sincerely to Lizzie Hexam but in addition, he passes himself as a good business deal. In his proposal, the very first thing he wrote is, “I. love you. ” Revealing that his priority is to show Lizzie that he sincerely loves her and that is the main reason he is marrying her. The word “you” adds more emphasis that this proposal is all about them. In addition, all throughout the proposal, he does not mention another person.
He also writes the effect she has on him, “You could draw me to fire… anything I have most avoided… exposure and disgrace” Meaning that he loves her so much that he would go through anything for her. Class and status are very important back then. So, for him to say that he would sacrifice that for her would even prove more that he loves and do anything for her. He also adds, “You could draw me to any good. ”
This also means that she is the world to him; she is worth everything. He also explains to her that his, “circumstances are quite easy. Meaning that he is rich. Lizzie would not have to worry about money. Since people wanted to marry for money, Charles Dickens had to prove he was not just in love, but worthy to be in her family. So, not only he communicates his love passionately, but also proves he is a good business deal. Therefore, his proposal is most likely to be successful. In conclusion, many people use different techniques on how to propose and Jane Austen’s technique was just a terrible example because it was all about business and nothing about love.
On the other hand, Charles Dicken’s technique was an example of a deserving proposal because it was mostly about love and only a portion of the proposal was about business proving himself as a good business deal. These two proposals are very much so like modern day proposals. Some people would like to increase their wealth or social class by marriage but in doing so happiness would only last for a short period of time. But, if the reason for marriage was love, happiness would be forever.