Abstract: Many scholars analyze Jane Austen’s views of marriage from different perspectives, but the majority of them choose one of her works as research object. Based on both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, this thesis tries to study Jane Austen’s views of marriage through analyzing the six marriages in the two novels. The thesis also tries to  analyze the causes of Jane Austen’s views of marriage. According to this thesis, Jane Austen prefers marriage with mutual respect and understanding; love and money are both important factors; coordination between sense and sensibility is a strong force for happy marriage. Her views of marriage are highly related to Jane Austen’s personal experience and the social background in which women were inferior to men. 

Key words: Jane Austen; Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility; views of marriage

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

 1.1 Introduction to Jane Austen

 1.2 Introduction to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility

2. Literature Review2

3. Six Marriages in Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility3

 3.1 Four Marriages in Pride and Prejudice

  3.1.1 Marriage Between Darcy and Elizabeth

  3.1.2 Marriage Between Bingley and Jane

  3.1.3 Marriage Between Collins and Charlottte

  3.1.4 Marriage Between Wickham and Lideya

 3.2 Two Marriages in Sense and Sensibility

  3.2.1 Marriage Between Edward and Elinor

  3.2.2 Marriage Between Colonel Brandon and Marianne

4. Jane Austen’s Views of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility..6

 4.1 Priority of Mutual Respect and Understanding

4.2 Importance of Love

4.3 Importance of Money

 4.4 Importance of Sense and Sensibility

5. Causes of Jane Austen’s Views of Marriage.8

 5.1 Social Background and Traditional Convention

 5.2 Personal Experience and Personality

6. Conclusion..9

Bibliography10

Acknowledgments.11