A Similar Irony

I am surprised that most of the conversations in the book have been rather superficial. This is probably because the characters are interested and are worried about simple things. Women are usually criticizing everyone and are preoccupied with finding the right husband for their daughters. By right I mean wealthy. Men on the other hand talk about women and money. They are comparing each other’s wallets and luxuries. Even though most of the conversations are rather simple and dull, some catch my attention. When characters start to talk about marriage they usually offer good insight: “Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object” (Austen, 136) It becomes clear to the reader after the first fifty pages that the way two people get together is the main theme. Everything revolves around marriage and wealth. Preferably both.

The book also offers a clear depiction the time period. Austen is able to offer her view of high class England. Apart from the parties and the dialect the reader can also learn about the past by viewing the characters customs. Not only do they consider money the driving force behind life but the will do anything to get it. Statements such as: “it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantness preservative from want.” (Austen, 136) The reader is, with no doubt, convinced that wealthy men look for beautiful woman and that beautiful woman look for wealthy men. This is clear since the very beginning and is not so different from what we do today.