Abstract: In nineteenth-century England, the dynamics between marriage and wealth were closely intertwined, significantly influencing who people married, controlling the flow of wealth among families, and reinforcing gender expectations for men and women. Among the upper and middle classes, marriage played two specific roles. First and foremost, marriage in the nineteenth century was an economic institution. It functioned as a means of transaction to ensure the flow of wealth. Second, it was a personal relationship held up in much sacred terms. Marriage was a means of exerting control over women’s properties and was also a means of consolidating one’s social status. The equation of love in marriages was totally out of the question. This aspect is widely explored in Pride and Prejudice through the marriage prospects of Mr. Collins, Charlotte Lucas, and Mrs. Bennet. An exception to this is the marriage between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, who were initially at odds due to their respective pride and prejudice. Although their marriage is found to have an element of love, it cannot be neglected that Mr. Darcy’s fortune did play a role in securing this alliance. This article attempts to explore through the characters and their relationships, how wealth and social status influence the partners they choose in marriage, and how gender expectations are reinforced in society. Austen, having lived in an era where women were still fighting to claim their rights, paints the picture of the society that she inhabited and critiques its tendencies using the witty, sarcastic dialogues of her character, Elizabeth Bennet, thereby challenging the established conventions. Her novel continues to inspire generations of readers and is still relevant in the current scenario.

Keywords:Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Marriage, Wealth, Gender Expectations, Social Status.