Had Elizabeth’s opinion been all drawn from her own family, she could not have formed a very pleasing picture of conjugal felicity or domestic comfort. Her father captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour, which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind, had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence, and vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own prudence had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate for their folly and their vice. He was fond of the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, than as her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement. This is not the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his wife, but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.
Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her father’s behavior as a husband. She had always seen it with pain; but respecting his abilities, and grateful for his affectionate treatment of herself, she endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and to banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal obligation and decorum which, in exposing his wife to the contempt of her own children, was so highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so strongly as now, the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents; talents which rightly used, might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife.
Analysis:
This is my favourite passage of the book as it shows the painfully true feelings of Mr. Bennet towards his wife. Although Mrs. Bennet seems to be quite affectionate towards her husband, calling him “My Dear Mr. Bennet, in truth Mr. Bennet does not love her at all. He feels that she is too simple-minded to understand him, and does not attempt to bridge the gap between them. He thinks that he understands her, her having the simple mind of a housewife, and just by retreating to his library and just agreeing to whatever she says, he would be able to lead a peaceful life.
His amusement about her ignorance is shown through his teasing of her, even in front of their children. Although the other children do not notice it, it is very obvious to Elizabeth, being the most intellectual of the lot. It pains her to see that her father treats her mother this way even after years of marriage, as well as his inactive participation in the marriage, always leaving her mother to bother about their daughters. She tries to not think about it, but feels very strongly against her father’s inability to accept and love his wife.
This passage shows how Elizabeth views loveless marriages to be like; torturous and cruel. Although what she sees in her parents was most likely the same in all other families in England at the time, it shaped her views on marriage. As she didn’t want to end up like her mother, she would insist on marrying for love, no matter how impossible it may seem. Thus I like this passage because of its realistic view on marriage during that period of time, and Elizabeth’s refusal to accept it in her own marriage.
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