Compared to earlier artistic movements that emphasized order and reason, romance in nineteenth-century literature is characterized by themes of passion and individuality. In Pride and Prejudice, author Jane Austen displays romantic ideals through the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, who appears to be married for love in a time when most women married for financial security. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Elizabeth's view on marriage changes as she matures and begins to think logically instead of following her heart. It appears that Austen values ​​Romantic concepts such as individualism and personal freedom when in reality she challenges these values ​​with Elizabeth's constant reasoning and eventual acceptance of her love for Darcy and his social and financial status. Instead of listening to her mother, who instills in her daughters that to secure their future they must follow the social norm of marrying a rich man, Elizabeth chooses to seek love. When looking for a respectable husband, most women in the novel value only social status and ignore character and morals. Elizabeth's good friend, Charlotte Lucas, falls into this category of women when she states, "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of luck" (23). At the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Elizabeth stands out in her family and society for her thoughts regarding marriage. Elizabeth comes from a middle-class family and “marriage is not something [she] can afford to take lightly, for failure to find a husband will leave her in a state of relative poverty” (Monaghan). Due to her family's inheritance to a male cousin, Elizabeth must find a husband or be forced to leave her home upon her father's death. Elizab... middle of the paper... in age, as she matures she realizes that money is the key to happiness. Although Austen uses romantic notions in her writings and leads the reader to believe that love is stronger than financial security, Elizabeth ultimately chooses Darcy to secure her future. Throughout the novel, as Elizabeth's character grows, her feelings towards marriage are influenced by her family and society. After her visit to Pemberley, Elizabeth comes to the rational conclusion that marrying Darcy for his fortune is more practical than seeking her one true love. Elizabeth's maturation comes with a transformation of beliefs that suggests that Austen's values ​​are more conventional than they appear on the surface of her writing. Austen challenges the norms of the period by suggesting that any harmonious relationship, especially marriage, is and should be based on money..