Marriage and Social Class Essay - 741 Words

Many cultures categorize their society according to wealth, power, education, religion, ethnicity and occupation. These differences usually draw the lines that not all are willing to cross for different reasons. In America, the consequences when crossing classes are usually implemented by an individual’s family and peers. If a person decides to date or marry someone of a lower class, the immediate concern would be if the person of a lower class is interested for monetary gain whereas, the person of a lower class may be concerned if they would be treated as an equal in the relationship. With these problems present the courtship or marriage could be domed from the beginning or made to work harder at leveling the playing field. I†¦show more content†¦In most cases, parents with young children are thinking ahead as to who would be a good match and what social events to come would provide excellent choices of companionship. Their expectations would be for their chil dren to select a person of equal or greater than the wealth of their own. In many cases, if a selection of a lower class is the choice of an immediate family member there would be great consequences including releasing them from all or most of the family’s wealth. Some would perceive the choice as rebellious and some may feel that it’s simply true love. If a person is made to feel that options are limited it may be an act of rebellious. However, if they stumble across a person they feel a connection with and is able to communicate on a level of satisfaction than the ability to proceed should be encouraged. Too often, members of the upper class enter the union of marriage because it meet or exceed the expectation of family and peers and later become unhappy with their choice. When this happens, they are reluctant to free themselves in fear of what others would think. Women in most marriages of the upper class are unhappy because the husband is usually away from the home on extended stays for multiple reasons. To fill the void of their husbands’ temporary absenteeism, they will keep themselves busy with charities, hobbies andShow MoreRelatedMarriage in Pride and Prejudice Defined by Gender, Social Class, and Family 1800 Words   |  8 Pagesfamily, and their own desires. The social struggle of men and women is seen throughout the novel. Characters, like Elizabeth, are examples of females not acting as proper as women were supposed to, while other women like Mrs. Bennett allow themselves to be controlled by men and society. Mr. Collins is a representation of the struggles males deal with in a novel dominated by women. The theme of marriage is prominent during Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. 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