Jane Austen’s Love Interest

“he was exactly the man who [. . .] would most suit her”: Does Austen Promote the Marriage of Opposites or of Kindred Spirits?

Whom do we love? Whom should we love? Most of the novels portray opposites-attract romances between a lively character and a more reserved one. Think of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Emma and Mr. Knightley, Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot, Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland, Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price, and Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon. The charisma or pure-hearted stability of the woman and the worldly experience of the man seem to provide balance in these relationships. Austen depicts some couples with like personalities as well, such as Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferris, who retreat to a harmonious life of pastoral simplicity and benevolence. It is more exciting for us to read the love stories of contrasting characters than those of similar characters, but are their alliances likely to be more successful or more difficult? Jane and Bingley’s shared propensity to be “complying” nearly costs them their happiness, but Elizabeth and Darcy’s stubborn pride also proves a major obstacle to their love, and could lead to fierce fights in their marriage. How truly alike or unlike are Austen’s pairings, and which similarities and differences of temperament and values matter most? Based on your own life experience and observation, do you agree with her? The audience will be invited to participate in a relationship survey and to vote on the profile of the person we should marry.