Marriages of Convenience in Charlotte Brontë's Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, and The Professor

The accession of Queen Victoria to the throne of England in 1837 gave birth to a period of stability in the country. The advent of democracy, popular education, urbanization transformed the country into a desirable place to live. However, these advancements constituted the tip of the iceberg. The Victorian society was a deviant one due to class ideology. Materially based marriage for example, were the manifestation of such an iniquitous system. In her four novels, Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette and The Professor, Charlotte Brontë acrimoniously criticizes money-driven matrimonies. Thus, this article aims to examine the socio-economic effects of such mercenary unions not only on the suitors, but also on the partners.