Oedipus

In society, money plays a major role. It is a necessity that is needed in order to

survive in the world today. In Pride and Prejudice, it is the one element that determines

one's whole life and future. Not only is it needed to live, but it determines who you will

marry as well as your social status in society. In this book, it is repeatedly shown that

money plays one of the most important roles in society.

From the very beginning of the book, it is shown that money plays a

major role. Mrs. Bennet hears about Mr. Bingley, a handsome and wealthy man, and

immediately begins to speak to Mr. Bennet about him. She is trying to get her daughters

married to good and wealthy men, since they will not be inheriting money from their

father. She is persistent at this because she wants her daughters to rise in society as well

as live happily and comfortably. "Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large

fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls". "...You must

know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them". These two quotes both take

place just shortly after Mrs. Bennet finds out Mr. Bingley is in Netherfield. She is

extremely happy because it gives her a chance to get one of her daughters married to a

successful and wealthy man. It is everything to her and her daughters because it is the

only way out of becoming poor and lowering in status.

Secondly, money is shown as an important role when Miss Bingley is introduced.

She is Bingley's unmarried sister who only seeks to elevate her self more than what she

already is by trying to win Mr. Darcy over. Also, when Bingley seems interested in Jane,

Miss Bingley pretends to be nice to her, yet lets Jane know that she hopes her brother

will marry Darcy's sister. "Miss Bingley sees that her brother is in love with you, and

wants him to marry Miss Darcy". "We are not rich enough, or grand enough for

them; and she is more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother...". These two

quotes show how difficult it is to marry without any wealth. Miss Bingley sees that

Bingley loves Jane, but will not approve of him marrying her because she is not wealthy-

which means she does not hold a higher social status as well. She is only interested in

elevating her status, as well as her brother's by marrying people with more money than

themselves.

In addition, money is shown as a major role when Bingley and Darcy fall