Abstract

Pride and Prejudice, a famous novel by Jane Austen, discusses love and marriage between middle and upper class in Britain in 18th century. A Dream of  Red Mansions, written by Cao Xueqin, narrates the ups and downs of Jia’s family, the upper class in Chinese feudal society. This paper focuses on the analysis of the love and marriage of both Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice and Xue Baochai in A Dream of Red Mansions. By comparing their different marriages, this paper analyzes the differences in marriages between China and the UK and explores several possible causes of these differences. At last, it concludes some essential elements in a successful marriage.

Key words: differences, love and Marriage; Xue Baochai; Charlotte;

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3. Analysis of the Two Characters-2

3.1 Xue Baochai-2

3.2 Charlotte Lucas-3

4. Differences of the Two Marriages-3

4.1 Different Basis of Two Marriages-3

4.1.1 Different emotional foundation-4

4.1.2 Different economic foundation-5

4.2 Different lives after marriage-5

4.2.1 Different family environment-5

4.2.2 Different statuses of women in marriages-6

4.2.3 Different concepts towards marriages-7

5. Causes of the Differences-8

5.1 The Different Systems of Marriages-8

5.2 The Different Purposes of Marriages-9

5.3 The Different Customs oh Marriages-10

6. Conclusion.-11

Works Cited-16