Pride and Prejudice #8

            Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s differing opinions on marriage and on their daughters may be the consequence of their own strained relationship. Elizabeth recognizes that Mr. Bennet “had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to any real affection for her” (199). Although Mr. Bennet displays no obvious hatred toward his wife, his indifferent attitude is plain. Mr. Bennet’s laconic replies to Mrs. Bennet’s lengthy entreaties and complaints demonstrate how little he cares for her concerns. This disregard for Mrs. Bennet is clear to his children, particularly Elizabeth. Although Elizabeth tries “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 reprehensible,” she cannot fully overlook it (200). After reading Mr. Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth begins to think about how her parents’ relationship has negatively influenced her sisters. Mr. Bennet seems to have developed a very hands-off attitude in regards to most of his daughters, leaving Mrs. Bennet to make the decisions about how they are presented to society. When Elizabeth raises her concerns about Lydia traipsing after the soldiers in Brighton in order to induce her father to stop Lydia, Mr. Bennet replies, “At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life” (196). Mr. Bennet does not care for his wife, so he just accepts that she will do what she wants, and he does not care about the consequences. He also seems to have adopted this attitude with Lydia, letting her make poor decisions without being checked. The lack of true, thoughtful communication between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet prevents them from consistently instructing their daughters about how to behave. Furthermore, Mr. Bennet’s disregard for his wife may have influenced her perceptions about the purpose of marriage. Their relationship is not characterized by love, and consequently Mrs. Bennet feels no qualms about marrying her daughters off to any wealthy man who shows interest. Having never experienced a marriage marked by mutual love and respect, Mrs. Bennet does not value the importance of such characteristics in her daughters’ future husbands.