Jane Austen is known for using parallel characters to make points and is known for using them to emphasize her culture, especially in terms of marriage and happiness . In Austen's culture, social class, rank, and financial status would influence people's decisions about who they could marry. People accepted these class arrangements, but some individuals lacked financial resources and were forced to marry someone with money to survive. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy shows how they have both grown and overcome each other's pride and prejudices to achieve happiness together. In parallel, there are Jane and Bingley who are shown as more immature and idealistic individuals who do not challenge each other in their relationship. Charlotte's choice to marry Mr. Collins exemplifies a character who marries realistically. Charlotte gives up happiness with another person for the promise of her well-being, and her decision to marry Mr. Collins parallels Elizabeth's decision to reject Mr. Collins's marriage proposal. It is easy to see how some of Austen's characters rush into marrying people before knowing their spouse's personality; readers can understand this point by looking at examples in which those people grew up seeking moral guidance. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are a married couple who have not been good parents as their relationship has proven to fail because they are not in love. Through support and care for others, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are much more responsible and sensitive parents than the Bennetts. The Gardiners are better examples of adults in a healthy relationship for the Bennet children to look up to. Austen's creation of the parallel characters listed above sheds light on how her culture influences love and happiness in marriage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay After many conversations, arguments, and letters, Darcy's true character was finally revealed to Elizabeth. Lizzy had developed a prejudice against Darcy from the way he was faced with company and from the stories she had heard from other people. At one point in the book, he is quoted as saying, “But vanity, not love, was my folly. Satisfied with the preference of the one, and offended by the negligence of the other, from the beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted bias and ignorance, and driven away reason as far as both were concerned. I had never met myself until this moment." (Austen, 205) Lizzy's eyes are opened to the fact that she finds in herself the same qualities that she made Darcy ashamed of possessing. Darcy's character is slowly revealed to Elizabeth through his noble actions. It takes Elizabeth a long time to overcome the prejudice she has created against Darcy and realize that she has a growing love for him. Darcy grows in his relationship with Elizabeth as he learns to put aside his pride to respect her. “He likes to get his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. “But that's how we all do it. The fact is that he has better means than many others to obtain it, because he is rich and many others are poor. (182) Mr. Darcy's wealthy upbringing made him a proud creature who believed he was better than others. Elizabeth's defiant and bold character caused Darcy to become more self-aware. Elizabeth and Darcy question each other's intentions and characters, so they have a deeper understanding of each other which is experienced throughthe wide range of emotions portrayed in their relationship. A parallel couple to the one above is Jane and Bingley. Jane is a simple and wonderful girl, kind and easy-going. Jane tends to think optimistically about people and situations, while Elizabeth will question people's motives and discern their character. “You never see a flaw in anyone. The whole world is good and pleasant in your eyes. I have never heard you speak badly of a human being in my life. (16) Jane is happily married to Bingley, although this seems to be the only emotion in their relationship. Bingley does not distrust people's actions and is easily influenced by others. Darcy is the opposite because he is more intelligent and tends to take his word for it instead of seeking affirmation from others. Jane and Bingley, due to their attributes, have a superficial bond that is based on nothing more than imagining each other rather than challenging each other. Their relationship will not be able to evolve or grow beyond what it is. Charlotte's decision to marry Mr. Collins reveals a lot about her situation in life, which influences her view of love and happiness in marriage. “He had always thought that Charlotte's opinion on marriage was not exactly different from his; but she could not have supposed it possible that, when called into action, she would sacrifice every better feeling for worldly advantage. (125) There are reasons why Charlotte does not see love and marriage the same way Elizabeth does. Charlotte is six years older and not as pretty as Elizabeth, which is important when it comes to marriage, because the older someone gets, the less likely it is that someone important will be interested in marrying that person. Charlotte is shunned at her home because she hasn't married yet this late in her life and doesn't want to take the option of moving in with her brother. Charlotte married in a way that made sense for her situation and approached the question of marriage from a standpoint of financial stability rather than a possibility of love and happiness with Mr. Collins. “I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she married him to-morrow, I think she would have as much chance of being happy as if she had to study his character for a year. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of luck. If the natures of the other parties are so well known to each other, or so similar in advance, this does not increase their happiness in the slightest. Afterwards they always continue to become different enough to have their share of vexation, and it is best to know as little as possible about the flaws of the person you will spend your life with. (24) Elizabeth cannot understand why Charlotte has chosen to live a life with the boring Mr. Collins. Elizabeth maintains her integrity and independence by rejecting Mr. Collins' proposal. Elizabeth turns down two romantic proposals from two financially stable men. Elizabeth has a very small fortune and it makes no sense to give up proposals that would secure her future. “My situation in life, my connections with the De Bourgh family and my relationship with yours are circumstances highly in my favor; and you should take into further consideration the fact that, despite your many attractions, it is by no means certain that another marriage proposal will ever be made to you. Your portion is unfortunately so small that it will most likely nullify the effects of your beauty and lovable qualities. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in rejecting me, I will choose to attribute it to your desire to increase my love by suspension, according to the usual practice of elegant women. (108) Elizabeth does not follow the status quo of giving up happiness for security, but.