Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

1.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

But such was not the case for Mary, who had made her peace with not finding such a man for herself. She knew she was neither as beautiful as Jane nor smart like Elizabeth; was neither as charming as Kitty nor courageous as Lydia. She had accepted herself to be an average maiden of her age, with not much wealth or status to make her stand out from the rest.

Ironically, this very mindset made her stand out from the rest. While the rest of the maidens dreamt of their Prince Charming, Mary focused on securing a stable future without a man. Her options were too bleak. In order to work at the same time keep her dignity, she could only become a governess. She was qualified enough to be one, as she could use her piano skills, which had drastically improved from her Netherfield fiasco, and her above-average reading, thanks to her father's library.

Not everyone supported this thought, Mrs Bennet found it preposterous for any of her daughters to work when they could AFFORD TO PAY FOR A COOK! After her two elder daughter's successful match to eligible men, the Bennet's status in society increased. Though Mr Bennet did not care for it, Mrs Bennet was the happiest. She very often went to social gatherings where she enjoyyed gossiping with other Mammas. She was the happiest in such a setting and forgot about her other two maiden daughters, until one day when she received a dreadful news

"Mr Bennet!, Mr Bennet!" Mrs Bennet arrived home in a panic as she ran to the library to find her husband.

"What has happened?" Mr Benent asked concerned.

"You cannot believe what I have just heard!" She says with heavy breath.

"Has someone died?" Mrs Bennet asks worried as he sets aside his book.

"No! Worse!"

"What in the world can be worse than death?"

"Mrs Kingley's daughter is already married!" she informs.

"That is worse?" Mr Bennet says in disappointment:

"Oh, Mr Bennet! She is a whole year younger to our Mary. If she is alright married, then we must not waste any more time in getting our daughters married!" she says worried.

"But they are still very young!" Mr Bennet objects.

"Soon they will become old maidens who nobody wants to court. Then what shall we do Mr Bennet?"

"I do not object to it so long as Mary is fine with it," he says as he goes back to read his book.

"That is not the worst part," she continues. "Mr Kingley's daughter is marring a lord!" she panics.

"Good for her," he replies not paying much attention to his wife.

"Oh, Mr Bennet! how can you say that when you have got two daughters of your own!" she exclaims.

"Did I say something wrong?" he wonders.

"Don't you want our daughter to marry Lords?" she continues.

"If they want to," he replies confused.

"It doesn't matter what they want. I must marry at least Kitty to a Lord," she says decisively.