Pride and Prejudice

I had the pleasure of watching the film “Pride and Prejudice” for the first time a few nights ago. I recall hearing the story of the arrogant Mr. Darcy and the "barely tolerable" Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennett. From first glance Mr. Darcy is clearly captivated by the simple beauty of Lizzie. Lizzie's was so confident and unlike any woman would have been during her time.  Lizzie was strong and articulate. Women during this time period looked at marriage as the ultimate goal. Getting married, especially to a man of wealth was the job for these women. 

Mr. Darcy was standoffish, arrogant, and a bit rude. Like Elizabeth Bennett, Mr. Darcy knows exactly what he wants and he knows exactly who he is. What is so beautiful about their love story is that it is a secret. Lizzie doesn't share her feelings about Mr. Darcy until after he asked her father for her hand in marriage. This was weeks or maybe even months after their first meeting.  Their love was honest and pure. Their love was filled with stolen glances and in depth conversations.  Unlike in today's world, the women kept their bodies a mystery by wearing long gowns. Even their arms were covered. They relied upon their God given beauty, intellect and charisma to win over their men. The men, especially Mr. Darcy, were gentlemen at all times. They dressed in the best suits and walked confidently, shoulders back and head up into every room. Even the men who were considered "lower class" carried themselves in this manner. The people of this time had pride about themselves. Grand balls were held to welcome the soldiers and any visitors who may have been passing through. With a mother with five daughters like Mrs. Bennett, this was a time to show off her girls in hope that they would secure a husband. Because a woman only worked in the home during this time, it was important for her to secure a husband to take care of her. Mr. Bennett was an older gentleman, so he wanted to ensure that his wife and daughters would not be thrown out on the street after his death. Marriage was the way out. Being married was the epitome of success during this time.  There weren't long courtships. Men and women didn't "shack up" first before marriage. No. A man simply saw it as his duty to find a woman suitable for his estate. The "women in waiting" spent their time reading, drawing, and playing the piano so that when their time came to be married there would be no doubt that they were suitable candidates.

These people had it right. It saddens me how far we have moved from such a godly tradition. In my opinion, women are in constant competition with men. From the type of jobs that women and men do today to how households are ran. We have lost are way somewhere. Instead of women keeping their bodies a mystery and relying solely on their charisma and God-given beauty, they've placed everything out in the open. Men no longer have to be well groomed on proper to catch the attention of a young lady. Men, in some cases, don't have to be physically attractive, but yet hold some level of status in society in order to be seen as "suitable".  Suitable for what? Marriage is no longer the ultimate goal.  Marriage has become a bonus. Being a trophy or arm candy of a man of social status is more important than being his wife. Men no longer have to woo their women or ask for their hands in marriage in order to become intimate. No. They can simply appear to have wealth and the women will flock; not to be the wife, but to belong to someone.

There are some women and some men who still believe in tradition, but they are few and far between. If a woman is more reserved, educated, and proper she is boring. If a man has achieved some success, but can't afford the lavish lifestyles of his brothers in the lime light, he is ignored.

What must we do to get our men and women to see marriage as the ultimate goal? What must we do to show future generations that wealth and happiness is not defined by your bank account?  What must we do to show our young women that soliciting their bodies will not get them closer to fame and fortune?  What must we do to show our young men that the definition of a man is not based on how many women he can sleep with, but yet how he can provide, protect, and love the one woman God has created for him?

I don't have all of the answers, although I wish that I did. Who's job is it to make things right?

Pride and Prejudice shows us that social status, wealth, and even beauty is irrelevant when it comes to matters of the heart. Love is something that is derived from inner beauty. When your inner beauty shines through that's when you know that you're walking on God's path. 

 Christy