1。3: Women’s Marriage Status of England around 19th Century文献综述

Marriage, as a union between spouses, is a crucial basis of a family which is closely related to our daily life。 Although its definition varies with distinct cultures and times, it is an institution in essence in which interpersonal relationship is warranted (William, 2011)。 And the motives of marrying differ from one to another according a certain social condition, money, lust, love even religion in order to satisfy an inpidual’s needs。 Pride and Prejudice was set in England around 19th century when women could just receive very little social acceptance, and they were unable to support themselves economically。 Since their rights of education and inheriting were both restricted, their major business was taking care of children and family。 So the marriage of 19th century was totally different from that of today (Graff, 1999)。 At that time, the benefit of family was always the top consideration rather than personal happiness, which made money-oriented marriage much prevailing。 Therefore, not a few regarded marriage as a business of money but not a combination of love。 The rich use marriage to strengthen their asset, while the poor, especially women, use it to improve their living conditions。 Luckily, women nowadays possess more rights and choices, and gone is the time when men are the dominance of society。 As a result, in today’s society, an increasing number of women take happiness in marriage as their priority。 

1。4: Research Focus

This research will analyze Austen’s work---Pride and Prejudice。 Its focus lies in finding the author’s view of marriage with the help of Maslow’s needs theory Austen presents several possible forms of marriage, but only few of them can accord with Austen’s expectation。 Through probing into those different marriages and the motives of different characters, Austen’s view of marriage can be perceived much deeper。 And this critical thinking can give us a further comprehension on the significant factors in marriage and how marriage should be。

1。5: Research Method

According to the objectives of this research, the research method of this research is mainly analyzing characters’ motives in the context by Maslow’s Needs Theory。 In Pride and Prejudice, there are mainly five marriages: the marriage of Jane and Mr。 Bingley, the marriage of Elizabeth and Mr。 Darcy, the marriage of Lydia and Wickham, the marriage of Charlotte and Mr。 Collins, the marriage of Mr。 Benet and Mrs。 Benet。 Their attitudes toward marriage are obviously various, and the possible cause is that their motives of getting married are not the same。 Maslow’s needs theory explains the connection between motive and behavior and it will be used as the theoretical foundation of this study。