Pride and Prejudice: Love and Happiness

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. " This opening line summarizes the character's intentions throughout the story. Pride and Prejudice is set in a time where marriage defines one's value, so the entire plot revolves around the sacred union. From cover to cover, the idea of marriage corresponding with happiness dictates the actions of every character. Because of the culture of the day, every Bennett sister is expected to marry and settle into a higher class family than her own.

Contrary to their mother's incessant nettling, four of the five Bennett sisters marry by the end of the book. Charlotte and Mr. Collins, Lydia and Wickham, Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeth and Darcy are the happily wedded couples in Pride and Prejudice. But are all of them really happy together? In fact, only one couple marries because they find true love. For this reason, Elizabeth and Darcy will be the happiest together.

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The couple's destined happiness is not at first evident. Elizabeth is a woman of lower social stature than Mr. Darcy.

From the first time they meet, their feelings of distaste are mutual. Mr. Darcy gives his opinion of Elizabeth after a brief glance, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me"(8). Elizabeth is never bothered by Mr. Darcy's foul opinion of her because she gives it right back to him, "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine"(15).

As the story unfolds, Elizabeth and Darcy eradicate their prejudices of one another through a series of events which give them the opportunity to understand one another and time to reconcile their feelings for each other.

A transformation of feelings is evident when Darcy describes his change of heart, "But that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance"(229). Elizabeth's feelings toward Darcy are not as open, but as the foundation of their relationship builds she can no longer silence the desires of her heart. By navigating through the obstacles thrown into the path of the couple's developing relationship, genuine friendship forms. Meaningful friendship and mutual respect are the missing components in the other marriages.

The depth of Darcy and Elizabeth's bond will lead them to a peaceful and lasting marriage. Another factor in the couple's happiness is the uncommon compatibility that exists between the two. Elizabeth said it best when she describes Darcy as ""the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her"(264). Their charismatic similarities are vast. Both Elizabeth and Darcy are bold, confident, and remain independent of society's expectations. The chemistry between them intensifies with every encounter in the story. Read what to do f you find a path with no obstacles

It is so profound that the reader is glued to the pages waiting for the moment when they finally unite in marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth and Darcy turn love into an individual act rather than a social one. They ignore the laws of society and pursue their affections whole-heartedly. Elizabeth is quite convincing when she declares "There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already that we are to be the happiest couple in the world"(319). Because of the authentic friendship and effortless rapport that exist between the couple, their union is destined to be eternal.