Question

What does this quote mean? (Please Help!)

“Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end and avarice begin?" - Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, (II-153-IV)

Answer 1

It's like this: "Excuse me, auntie, when considering marriage, what's the difference between marrying for money or not? Where does thriftiness end and greed begin?"

Mrs. Gardiner is accusing Wickham of marrying Miss King only for her money. She believes the girl is being foolish. (Which, knowing Wickham, may be true.) Elizabeth defends the engagement, essentially saying, "Well, if Miss King doesn't object, who are we to judge his motives?"

Answer 2

Thank you so much. I won't lie, I am completely using you here, but what do you think is Jane Austin's statement on marriage through this quote?

Answer 3

Certainly :)

Many of Austen's stories focus on women and marriage. Not because she liked or hated the institution of marriage, though. Women in her day really only had two choices: marry (like the Bennet girls) or be a spinster and leech off your family (like Austen). Marriage was a fact of life for women, not an option like it is today.

That being said, there are instances in P&P of both good and bad marriages. The Gardiners are a good example; the Wickhams/Collins are bad examples.

Austen acknowledged that money was important for a stable and happy marriage. This is why the Bennet girls all seek out rich men. Even more important is affection.

In this particular quote, Elizabeth asks at what quantity of money is one considered, "marrying for money," and at what point is the couple well-matched? Is Wickham a golddigger because the girl has 10,000 pounds? OR, does it not matter, because they will have a successful marriage?

Miss King cannot help that she has come into money, and any suitors she now has will be assumed to be after her money, not her heart. But, what choice does she have? She's a woman and must marry.

This is simply my opinion. There are many who will disagree. But, I hope it will give you some ideas of your own to run with.