“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” were the words that Shakespeare’s Juliet whispered in Romeo and Juliet to express her feelings of the insignificance of naming. Perhaps this holds true for almost anything in any century. Jane Austen first wanted to call her book “First Impressions,” but finally settled on Jane Austen first wanted to call her book “First Impressions,” but finally settled on Pride and Prejudice. No matter what Austen called her novel, it still “smells as sweet,” and represents the same issues.
Austen carefully crafts her novel so that the issue of money, manners and marriage involved are accurate reflections of the English obsessions of the early eighteen hundreds. Yet modern American society has a perspective on money, manners and marriage that contrasts those of Jane Austen’s eighteenth century novel. As a rose goes through its life cycle it sprouts from a tiny bud into a few withering petals. Likewise the themes of money, manners and marriage we see in Pride and Prejudice have drastically changed over time. Money seems to be of equal importance today as it was in the nineteenth century.
Money is what classifies people into a certain social class. In the time of Pride and Prejudice, money, along with property, was not always diligently worked for; money and property was often passed down from generation to generation through the male lines. The Bennets face the threat of losing all of their stability in the future because their family consist of only daughters. “It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am deadmay turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. ” (pg. 46) Mrs. Bennet goes against convention when she argues that Mr. Collins should not get their estate.
Oh, my dear, I cannot bear to hear that mentioned Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure that if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it and I think it was very impertinent that he write you at all , and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends” (p. 46) Money is always a conflict in the Bennet household. As the Bennet daughters approach the age of marriage, money becomes an issue that haunts the family.
As a dowry is being prepared for their youngest daughter Lydia, the issue of money comes up. An unknown source pays for Lydia’s wedding, and Mr. Bennet feels obligated to repay whomever it was. Assuming that Mr. Gardiner paid for the wedding, Mr. Bennet worries how he will ever repay his brother. “But there are two things that I want very much to know- one is, how much money your uncle laid down to bring it about; and the other, how am I ever to pay him. ” (pg. 226) In this era, you didn’t ask for money, it was a disgrace to borrow money from others. In modern society people of all status are able to borrow money from banks and other sources.
And this is able to be done without the slightest bit of disgrace, a far cry from the nineteenth century. Austen uses a slightly satirical twist to emphasize the prominence of manners during the eighteen hundreds. Austen opens the book with a conflict between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet concerning manners. “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. ” (pg. 4) Proper decorum also plays a prominent role in the social classes of the nineteenth century.
Austen illustrates how one’s manners are either accepted or rejected through Mr. Bingley’s sisters. Jane shows proper demeanor and is accepted by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth leaves a detrimental first impression and is not considered tolerable enough for their acquaintance. “Miss Bingley was sorry then that she had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other. ” (pg. 44) One of Austen’s characters that is used to make fun of manners is Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is so overly proper that he is ridiculous. From being very punctual in his timing, to his determination to marry a Bennet.
Mr. Collins seems very proper to the people who surround him. Austen’s subtle placement of flaws in his character are easily seen by readers today. Though most modern Americans are taught the foundation of proper behavior, we generally disregard the foundation. In modern society the is not the general respect for others which was present in the eighteen hundreds. Society today would like to think that it treats others in a mannerly fashion, but has fallen into a relaxed, manner-less mode. Most of the marriages that Austen portrays I he novel are ones of convenience and reflect respect for parental wishes.
Many marriages during this time were created for what modern society would call “all of the wrong reasons. ” Although it is every young girl’s dream to fall in love, it is their mother’s dream to see them marry into a stable situation, indeed, this is Mrs. Bennet’s only hope. “If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for. ” (pg. 4) Perhaps Mrs. Bennet’s desires lead to all of her daughters to marry for love or lust. While Elizabeth’s marriage is very convenient it is out of love for one another.
Jane and Bingley too marry for love not because they were forced to. Their behavior is very closely linked to the kids of today who “rebel” against their parents. They want to do their own thing just in spite of their parents. While modern society thinks that marriages occur for reasons of love like the Darcys and the Bennets, it is in fact convenience that propels many marriages. Marriages like Wickham’s and Lydia’s happen a lot more today and only lead to divorce. This has lead to society to look opon marriage lightly, knowing that their is always divorce to turn to.
Just like then most marriages of today are the product of lust and convenience. Juliet’s analogy of a rose, proving that names are not important, can easily be change to concern money, manners, and marriage. Perhaps money called by any other name would be as desired, manners by any other name would be practiced as much, and marriage by any other name would be a constant struggle. While modern society may think the emphasis on money, manners, and marriage in the nineteenth century is ridiculous, our own views are just as warped. Austen illustrates how these three things are a critical part of any society at any time period.