Pride and Prejudice: Relevance to Contemporary Relationships?

Since the production of Pride and Prejudice in the 1800's our views and customs on marriage have changed considerably although its portrayal of people and social behavior still rings true. The name of the book " Pride and Prejudice" reflects how the characters sense of " pride" and prejudice" jade their ability to pass proper judgment on others. Characters are quick to pass judgment on others and are reluctant to acknowledge their mistakes, lingering in denial due to pride.  Jane had assumed Mr. Wickman was a good fellow because he was well mannered and thought Darcy a person of low character  because of his lack of manners. When Wikman spoke poorly of Darcy, she never doubted the man for a second assuming her first impression of Darcy was a definitive reflection of his character. It took her awhile before she took a moment to think that all her information of Darcy's misdeeds was second hand information from a single source who had no true credibility. Her eagerness to rely on first impressions and drawing far fetched conclusions from it can be seen today. People have a tendency to be quick to judge and eager to approve of or find evidence to support their ideas. Many people like Jane are eager formulate opinions, gullible to "information", and quick to pass judgment on others. I myself of misjudging others and being misjudged just as well. It is thing to do and I actively try to withhold my opinions of others, keep an open mind, and continually question the authenticity and reliability of information that I may hear.

The books portrayal of courtship and how courtship is performed today is very different. During those times coursthip was strictly reserved for the men. Even nowadays there is the expectation that men are to be the pursuers and not the pursued persists. However how we go about courtship and marriage has drastically changed. Courtship was heavily regulated social affair. Matrimony also appeared to be more of a business transaction rather than an act of love.  There was extensive references to connections and people's compatibility was more heavily influenced by social status rather than character. An example of this was Ms. Catherine's outright disapproval of the idea of her nephew, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth marrying.  Darcy came from a prestiogus family while Elizabeth did not.  Her "connections" and wealth were far inferior to her fiancee's. Individuals, in my opinion never had any extensive time or opportunity to get to know someone before committing to them. All three girls, Elizabeth, Laura, and Jane had only been acquainted with their husbands for about a year before marrying them.

Nowadays people are more inclined to take their time before committing to a partner. In contemporary western culture social status and connections are not nearly as important as social compadibility.  How we choose our partners and our views of marriage have drastically changed since the 1800s. Back in the day it was expected a women marry, it was their duty in life to do so. Nowadays marriage is not as heavily emphasized or rushed. People take their time before signing the papers.  Although people are still pressured to get married, it is not as heavily enforced as it once was.