Monday, November 15, 2010
Marriage, Dice, And Broken Glasses
During one of my routine Judaism lessons, the Rabbi told me how he met his wife the same week he proposed to her. In shock, I asked if they were still together. He said they are. After pondering this irrational phenomenon, I came to some conclusions: Jewish orthodox marriages and those of Pride and Prejudice must have something in common. Maybe the meaning of the Rabbis' marriage differs to that which the general public gives it. Both the Rabbi and the characters of Austen's novel have an alternate purpose for marriage, which distracts the bride from the groom's character traits, and vice versa. If "happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" (16), as Charlotte claims, then happiness is not the primary objective in a marriage. We know that Austen's characters have wealth and status in mind when choosing a suitor, but, like the Rabbis, being paired brings joy in itself. The rest of the partners' lives together will provide the time they need to get to know each other. Is this a barbaric custom, characteristic of uncivilized civilized society?
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The idea of marriage of the parents differs to that of their daughter. The parents want to marry her with a wealthy man, regardless of his attitude and kindness. The only thing that matters for them is the money, but the daughter's perspective is not all about the money. She wouldn't like to end up with an untolerable man. In a way marriage is a matter of chance because the daughters were married for money. If luck was in their side the man they married had money and also was kind to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that marriage is, sometimes, not intended to bring the couple happiness. Some people marry because they are forced to and others because it was the established order and they cant move away from it. Austen is quick to tell the reader that her novel is about love and the pursuit of happiness. Although it is a cliché she also mentions societies rules and norms.
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