In Pride and Prejudice, love and attraction are not necessary for a successful marriage in Austen's world. The marriage plot is based on the necessity of marriage for a woman's economic survival, but not necessarily for love. Charlotte Lucas marries the odious Mr. Collins for the security and status he offers and manages to make it work without love or attraction. Elizabeth marries Darcy on the basis of esteem for the man combined with a practical love for his estate once she sees the grandeur of Pemberley. We don't think less of her for it. Mrs. Bennet still feels driven to marry off her daughters to financial advantage. Love is the ideal women might strive for but in Austen's world a successful marriage can be had without it.
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