Why Mrs. Bennett is Driven to Marry Off Her Daughters in Pride and Prejudice

Many readers of Pride and Prejudice have pondered the question of why Mrs. Bennet is so determined to marry off her five daughters, given that the family possess a sizable estate. However, a close reading of the novel reveals that the Bennet family's financial situation is far more precarious than it initially appears.

The Intricacies of Entail and Inheritance

In the legal structure of early 19th-century England, such as the Regency era setting of Pride and Prejudice, land and property were often entailed. An entail is a legal device that prevents a landowner from selling his estate and limits its inheritance to male relatives, typically the nearest living male heir. This is crucial to understanding why Mrs. Bennet is so concerned about marrying off her daughters.

Mr. Bennet, the father, holds a life interest in Longbourn, the family estate. This means that he can live off the income generated by the estate, but he cannot dispose of it or choose who inherits it. Instead, the estate will pass to Mr. Collins, a distant cousin, upon Mr. Bennet's death. This effectively means that upon Mr. Bennet's demise, the five Bennet daughters, including Mrs. Bennet, will be left without a home or means of support.

This detail from the novel clarifies why Mrs. Bennet's primary concern is marriage. In the social and economic context of Regency England, marriage provided the best form of security for women, regardless of their wealth.

Financial Straits and Economic Context

Despite the seemingly affluent appearance of the Bennet family, their financial situation is less secure than it might seem. Mr. Bennet's salary as a parson is modest compared to the expensive lifestyles displayed in the book. He and his wife, Mrs. Bennet, have spent the family's considerable savings on luxury goods like clothes, fancy dinners, and books.

The family's financial reserves are not significant. For instance, when Mrs. Bennet’s fortune of five thousand pounds was contracted to go to her daughters, this sum did not set them up for grand living. This money, combined with Mr. Bennet's thousand pounds, was not enough to secure the daughters' futures in a society where women's prospects were limited to marriage.

Marginality and Social Class

Beyond mere financial concerns, the Bennet family's status is marginal in terms of social class. While the Bennet estate is modest, it is still a step up from the lowest ranks of society. However, the entail on their property means they lack control over their inheritance, making them vulnerable to ejections and poverty.

The economic situation described in the novel, where women's employment options were limited to lower-paying positions, reinforces Mrs. Bennet's urgent need to secure their daughters' futures through marriage. This aligns with the historical context of the time, where women did not have the same opportunities for financial independence.

Additionally, the specific properties of the Bennet family's lifestyle, such as the lack of spare horses for a carriage, suggest that they are not as wealthy or prosperous as the societal appearances might suggest. These details paint a picture of a family in a state of precarious financial security, further justifying Mrs. Bennet's actions in urging her daughters to marry well.

For a deeper understanding of the economic and social factors influencing the Bennet family, it is essential to revisit the novel and carefully consider the historical and legal context provided by the author, Jane Austen.