论《傲慢与偏见》中四对主人公的金钱观与幸福观.doc

成人本科生毕业论文（设计）题目：论傲慢与偏见中四对主人公的金钱观与幸福观 夜大学 函授 脱产 高自考 学号（准考证号）： 083642109016 姓 名： 朱智 专 业： 英语 年级（高自考不填）： 08级 学 院： 外国语学院 完成日期： 2010年 4 月 指导教师： 宗丽华 On the Outlook on Wealth and Happiness Held by Four Pairs of Protagonists in Pride and PrejudiceA Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillmentof the Requirements forthe Degree of Bachelor of Arts ZhuZhiUnder the Supervision ofZongLihuaForeign Languages College Tianjin Normal University APRIL2010Contents Abstract (English)摘要. Introduction11.1. A brief introduction to the author11.2. A brief introduction to the novel1. The four marriages in the novel12.1. The marriage of Charlotte and Collins12.1.1. The story of Charlotte and Collins12.1.2. Analysis of the character of Charlotte22.1.3. Analysis of the character of Collins22.1.4. Comment on their marriage32.2. The marriage of Lydia and Wickham32.2.1. The story of Lydia and Wickham 32.2.2. Analysis of the character of Lydia42.2.3. Analysis of the character of Wickham52.2.4. Comment on their marriage52.3. The marriage of Jane and Bingley52.3.1. The story of Jane and Bingley 52.3.2. Analysis of the character of Jane 62.3.3. Analysis of the character of Bingley62.3.4. Comment on their marriage 7 2.4. The marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy82.4.1. The story of Elizabeth and Darcy 82.4.2. Analysis of the character of Elizabeth 82.4.3. Analysis of the character of Darcy102.4.4. Comment on their marriage 10.Conclusion12Notes13Bibliography15AbstractThis paper concentrates on an analysis of the main four marriages in the novel Pride and Prejudice: Charlotte and Collins marriage, Lydia and Wickhams marriage, Jane and Bingleys marriage, Elizabeth and Darcys marriage. To support the thesis, the paper is divided into three parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to both the author Jane Austen and the novel. The second part makes an analysis of the four main marriages in the novel and the characters of each person. It also makes comment on each marriage. The third part is the conclusion, restating the thesis of the paper.Key words: Marriage love character摘 要该论文集中分析了傲慢与偏见一书中的四桩婚姻：夏洛特和克林斯的婚姻， 丽迪亚和威克姆的婚姻，瑾和宾莱的婚姻，伊丽莎白和达西的婚姻。为了更好地支撑这一主题，该论文分成三大部分：第一部分对作者简奥斯汀和小说分别做一简介；第二部分集中分析小说中主要的四桩婚姻及其人物性格，并对每桩婚姻进行评论；第三部分为结论，重申主题。关键词：婚姻 爱情 性格15.Introduction1.1. A brief introduction to the authorJane Austen (1775-1817) was one of the greatest and best-loving novelists in England. She was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, where her father was a rector. She was the second daughter and seventh child in a family of eight. She received most of her education at home. All the members in her family are fond of reading books, which influenced her very much. Austen never married, but in all of her novels，her heroines are ultimately married. Her social life was active. She was connected with the middle-rich landed gentry that she portrayed in her novels. She died on July 18, 1817, and was buried in Winchester Cathedral. In total, she wrote six novels in her life. Among them, Pride and Prejudice has been valued as the most successful and popular masterpiece.1.2. A brief introduction to the novelPride and Prejudice is the most enduringly popular novel by Jane Austen. It is about trivial matters of love, marriage and family life between country squires and fair ladies in Britain in the 18th century. In the novel, Jane Austen indicates that a happy and strong marriage takes time to build and must be based on mutual feelings, understanding, and respect; hasty marriage based on superficial qualities will not last long and will lead to unhappiness. This paper intends to look into four marriages in the novel and to discuss that the character does have an impact on the marriage and happiness.The four marriages in the novel2.1. The marriage of Charlotte and Collins2.1.1. The story of Charlotte and Collins The first marriage presented before us is the marriage of Collins and Charlotte. Their marriage is based on money rather than on love or appearance. It was a common practice for women to marry a husband who has money and social status in the 18th century England. Charlotte, who is twenty-seven and a plane-Jane, is afraid of being an “old maid”. She does not expect too much of happiness in marriage. She marries for security and a stable life. “I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins character, connections, and situation in life,”1 And for Mr. Collins, he wants a wife only because it is time for him to settle and Lady Catherine has advised him to marry. His first proposal was to Elizabeth. When Elizabeth refused him, he almost immediately transferred his affections to Elizabeths best friend, Charlotte. Though Charlotte knows that Mr. Collins “was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, his attachment to her must be imaginary,” 2 her reflections are in general satisfactory. They get married in a short time. Elizabeth is most disappointed because she knows Charlotte could not be really happy with such a husband.2.1.2. Analysis of the character of CharlotteCharlotte is a vain and mediocre girl. Her mediocre character and her way of understanding things result in her marriage with Collins. “Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and how ever uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want.” 3 We can see her attitude toward love and marriage from her words “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” 4 That is her concept of marriage, which explains her quick marriage with Collins. Her vain character is also shown in her false description of her married life. Charlottes letters about her married life to Elizabeth fully revealed her vain character. “She (Charlotte) wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighborhood, and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherines behavior was most friendly and obliging.” 5 She knows Elizabeth had looked down upon her for her choice, as no one could understand the strangeness of Mr. Collins making two offers of marriage within three days and “any woman who marries Collins, a conceited, pompous narrow-mind, silly man, cant have a proper way of thinking.” 6 Actually, she marries for the sake of marriage but she pretends to be happy. 2.1.3. Analysis of the character of Collins Collins is a vulgar, rapacious, pompous clergyman who cringes to his parsons and always arrogant before his inferiors. He seldom opens his mouth without mentioning his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Her “affability and condescension”7 is so impressive upon him that “he felt greatly flattered only by her visit in his humble parsonage”8 Collins snobbery is best shown when he approaches Darcy and fails to notice the contempt with which Darcy replies to his introduction. Such kind of character of his determines that his proposal to Elizabeth is a failure. Owing to his pompous and rapacious character, we are not surprised at his failure when we heard his unreasonable proposal to Elizabeth. “But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your father. I could not satisfy with myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy sad event takes place.” 9His vulgar and servile character as well as his ridiculous mind-set of love leads to his quick marriage with Charlotte. “In as short time as Mr. Collins long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both;”10 we can see from here that his love to Charlotte is by no means sincere or genuine. To Collins, Charlotte is the only choice he could make.2.1.4. Comment on their marriage To the marriage of Collins and Charlotte, we can sum it up as each takes what he/she wants. For Charlotte, the marriage is just for marriage instead of the love and for Collins, the marriage is a market. In this novel, Jane Austen writes this type of marriage to show that women who submit themselves to this type of marriage will have to suffer in sad silence as Charlotte does. “When Mr. Collins said any thing of which his wife might reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, Once or twice she could discern a faint flush; but in general Charlotte wisely did not hear,”11 Charlotte is a sad casualty of the marriage market. Such hasty marriage would surly lead to unhappiness.2.2. The marriage of Lydia and Wickham2.2.1. The story of Lydia and WickhamThe author uses Lydia and Wickhams marriage to show us an example of a bad marriage. Lydia Bennet, the youngest of the Bennet daughters, indulges in a life of dancing, fashions, gossips and flirting. Wickham is an officer in the regiment stationed at Meryton. He quickly enjoys the popularity of a perfectly good and amiable man because of his friendliness and his easy-going manners. But in fact, he is mean and wicked. “A curious degree of sexual attraction often goes with a lively, unreliable disposition, which may either be somewhat superficial but perfectly well-meaning, or which driven by circumstance which it has not the strength to withstand, become that of a scoundrel.”12 He elopes with Lydia with no intention of marrying her and is just only made to do so by Darcys intervention. Lydia does not take into consideration her marriage, the personality of her husband, or the prospects of their marriage. Therefore, their marriage is mainly based on superficial impression of each other, appearance and youthful momentary impulse. Once these things can no longer be valued by each other, and once they know each other better, problems will rise. As in the novel, Lydia and Wickhams marriage gradually disintegrates; Lydia becomes a regular visitor at her two elder sisters homes while “her husband was gone to enjoy himself in London or Bath” 13 Through their relationship, we can see that they are “a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue” 14 and “his affection for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer.”15 Jane Austen shows us that hasty marriage based on superficial qualities quickly withers and unhappiness is out there waiting for any couple who do so. 2.2.2. Analysis of the character of Lydia Lydia is a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen and a favorite with her mother, whose affection has brought her into public at an early age. She has high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance. Her high animal spirits plus her easy manners receives much attention of the officials at her uncles good dinners. Lydia is an empty-minded uncertain flirt who never ceases seeking her own fun and sexual excitement. The only interest in her life is to flirt with red-coated officials in a militia regiment in the neighborhood. Lydias minds are more vacant than their sisters, and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton is necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conservation for the evening. She never gives love a serious and proper consideration. So she easily fell pray to the charming, sophisticated, seductive Wickham and eloped with him. “Good gracious! When I went away, I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came back again! Though I thought it would be very good fun if I was.” 16 From her words, we can see that how foolish she is!2.2.3. Analysis of the character of Wickham Wickham first appears to us as a very charming fellow, but his character, on the contrary, is mean and wicked. He was well on the way to being a scoundrel, but his sexual fascination was so great that Elizabeth Bennet, who was sharp and discerning, saw at first absolutely nothing in him but made him seem the most charming man she had ever met. Wickhams constant attention to Elizabeth made her feel sure that he was in love with her. Wickhams so-call love, however, was short-lived. Shortly he was reported to court another lady, Miss Ring, who possessed ten thousand pounds. A sharp contrast emerged between his agreeable appearance and mean character. He regarded love as nothing but a tool to acquire wealth. 2.2.4. Comment on their marriage Austens Pride and Prejudice is highly critical of the difficulties faced by women in English society of that time. However Austen passed judgment on the necessity of marriage for women to avoid public scorn. She does not question the idea that living with a man out of wedlock ruins a girl. Elizabeth, the voice of reason and common sense at this point in the novel, condemns Lydias behavior as infamy and declares that if Lydia does not marry Wickham “she is lost forever.” Lydias elopement with Wickham was wrong. From every point of view, their marriage is a failure. 2.3. The marriage of Jane and Bingley 2.3.1. The story of Jane and BingleyElizabeths sister Jane is the eldest in the family, beautiful, good-tempered, sweet, amiable and modest. She is universally well-liked. She refuses to speak ill of anyone. Mr. Bingley, much like Jane, is also an amiable and good-tempered person. They first meet at the ball in Meryton and enjoy an immediate mutual attraction. Bingley is not concerned with class differences, and Janes poor family connections cannot stop him from falling in love with Jane. Jane Austen expresses her opinion of this through Elizabeth in the novel, “I really believed all his Bingley expectations of felicity to be rationally founded because they had for basis the excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and himself.” 17 However, unlike Darcy and Elizabeth, there is a flaw in their relationship both characters are too innocent and too good-hearted to act heavily against the external force that may attempt to separate them. Under the influence of Darcy, though his attachment to Jane was obvious, he began to doubt Janes affection to him, and he left her without saying good-bye. Later when all misunderstandings are all cleared up, he came back to Jane again at Darcys assistance, and lived happily ever after.2.3.2. Analysis of the character of JaneJane was the most mild, kind and modest girl in this novel. Her character is vividly shown in many parts of the novel. “Compliments always take you (Jane) by surprise, and me (Elizabeth) never” and “Oh, you (Jane) are a great deal too apt you know, to like people in general, you never see a fault in any body, all the world are too good and agreeable in your eyes. I (Elizabeth) never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.” 18 We can see from here that it is quite natural for Jane, so kind and innocent, falls in love with pleasant and simple Bingley. She adored Bingley very much. But her reserve and introversion nearly ruined her happiness. Jane was excessively reserved that even when her heart was fluttering with romantic passion, her manner showed only refined pleasure and politeness. It was generally evident that Jane yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain him from the start, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world since Jane united with great strength of a feeling a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner, all of which would guard her from the suspicions of the people who had no sense of shame. Jane cherished her feelings towards Bingley; yet she chose to conceal it. She tried to control her passion, lest anyone might find it. Having been informed of Bingleys departure, Jane was in great distress. But she pretended to be all right and said nothing about her sadness. Her weaknesses of overly reserve, conversion and obedience had been thoroughly exposed in the novel. 2.3.3. Analysis of the character of BingleyBingley was a popular person in the novel. He had a pleasant countenance and easy unaffected manners. We soon found that he was agreeable both in appearance and character. In the first ball at Netherfield, we began to get to know his personality through his behavior. “Mr. Bingley had soon make himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves.”19 These personal strengths certainly won Janes admiration. She thought that he was just what a young man ought to be, and sensible, good-humored, lively, and she never saw such happy manners! So much ease, with perfect good breeding! Bingley falls in love with Jane at their first ball and their romance flourished quietly and steadily. His affection towards Jane was obviously sincere and affected. When Jane suffered an illness, his anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to her most pleasing. And “diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingleys salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked s