Quote by Jane Austen

An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.

An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this d

Summary

In this quote from Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet is speaking to his daughter Elizabeth after she refuses a proposal from the disagreeable Mr. Collins. Mr. Bennet believes that by rejecting Mr. Collins, Elizabeth will become estranged from him, her father, because he expects that one day she will no longer live under his roof. The unhappy alternative he refers to highlights the social reality of the time, where marriage was often seen as a necessary means for a woman's financial security and stable future. Through this quote, Austen comments on the difficult choices women faced when making decisions about marriage.

Topics

Jane Austen Pride And Prejudice Mr Bennett Elizabeth Bennett

By Jane Austen

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