Creating Your Modern Day Fairytale, Pride and Prejudice Style

    

Although Pride and Prejudice is a work of fiction, Jane Austen's astute observations of relationships during her time are extremely accurate and elegantly portrayed. And although her novel took place a little over 200 years ago, the relationships she depicts are by no means obsolete. Modern day couples and singles in search of a partner can easily pull advice from the relationships she portrays.

     Take Jane and Mr. Bingley for example. They are the 'perfect' couple- both are sweet, charming, beautiful, and completely in love with each other. Their relationship has almost no drama, aside from the fact that outside influences tried to separate them. However, their love was too strong to be extinguished and they rekindled what they had before the separation and eventually wound up living happily ever after. Yes, Jane and Bingley's relationship seems so perfect that it borders on unlikely. However, it does effectively show modern day couples a few important lessons to keep in mind.

     First of all, it shows  that there is a perfect someone out there for everyone. In our modern world, the task of finding a quality boyfriend or girlfriend seems daunting. It seems like it’ll be impossible to find that perfect guy that is respectful and gentlemanly or that perfect girl that stays faithful and isn't high maintenance. Keep looking, ladies and gentlemen! Your perfect match is out there somewhere; it might just take some patience, good judge of character, and a little bit of luck to find them. Jane didn't find her sweetheart until she was twenty-two, which was considered old back in Austen's time. Therefore, don’t expect the love of your life to appear without putting in some serious searching time; they are there, you just have to find them.

      Secondly, it shows us that sometimes, sitting back and waiting is better than going after and chasing. This goes for the ladies in particular. Although Jane didn't have much of a choice, her eventual happiness shows a lot for waiting on that perfect someone to come to you. Ladies- unlike Jane, who had to wait for her father to introduce her to a bachelor, you have the option to chase after a man you are interested in. Yet, when you do that, how often are you regarded as 'clingy' or 'overly attached'? Men are proud creatures, and often times they would rather chase than be chased. So, instead of forcing something that isn't meant to be, let things come as they may and develop at their leisure. Continue to put yourself out there, but don’t rush anything. Do as Jane did and you may get rewarded.

      Thirdly, and most importantly, Jane and Bingley's relationship emphasizes the importance of open communication and expression of feelings. The whole reason why the two were split up was because Bingley's best friend, Darcy, thought that Jane had no interest in Bingley. The only reason why he thought this was because Jane was extremely reserved in the expression of her feelings. She didn't reveal to anyone how much she truly liked him, and it almost cost her. Singles searching for a romantic partner, take this as a warning. If you see someone is interested in you, and you are interested in them as well, express that interest. Don't play hard to get and don't be aloof, because  it could cost you a really wonderful relationship. Besides, the best way to maintain a healthy relationship in the first place is to keep open lines of communication and share your feelings with one another; it prevents miscommunications and keeps toxic emotions from building inside of you. 

      Lastly, Jane and Bingley's relationship serves as a warning to all the friends out there: do not get mixed up into your friend's romantic endeavors! Just as Darcy almost destroyed Jane and Bingley's beautiful relationship, you can ruin one just as effectively, if not more so, if you get involved. If it's meant to be, the two will figure it out on their own. A relationship is for two people. It is not yours, it is theirs. Do not meddle, because more often than not, you will do more harm than good.

In the future, if you ever want some quality dating advice, instead of turning to a glossy magazine, open up a Jane Austen novel. You'll find exactly the kind of help you need.