In 19th Century England, it was not only important that a family have a good reputation. Money was then, as it is now, of vital importance. For example, the Bennet family is a respectable family. Elizabeth declares to Lady Catherine that she [Elizabeth] is "a gentlemen's daughter". This is very important in making her eligible for a good marriage. The daughter of a gardener could not expect to marry anyone from a gentlemen's family, but a gentlemen's daughter has a good chance to marry financially well.
However, Mr. Bennet did not put aside dowries for his daughter's. He had a good estate, and should not need to. But because the estate would not be kept in the family, there was fortune for the girls:
"When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. The son was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow and younger children would by that means be provided for."
The early relationship between Wickham and Elizabeth shows the result of this lack of economical management. Her Aunt Gardiner warns Elizabeth against the match:
"I have nothing to say against him; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think you could not do better."
Clearly, all the characters, even of equal social class, must be concerned with fortune and economy.
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