Cross Reference- Harding and Austen

Jane Austen's novel is certainly a didactic text. Whether it was her intent to create a bible, a book of etiquette, or a mirror for self reflection, I am not sure. Regardless, Austen definitely questions the morals of the era by evaluating and even jeering at  the importnace of money in a relationship. Knowing that Austen was a revered satirist, why did she make Mrs. Bennett obsessed with finding a financially secure husband for her daughters rather than happiness? "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" (Austen 14). Through prejudices, the reader is brainwashed to believe that a good marriage is based on inheritance, property ownership, and societal influence. Therefore, class consciousness and elitism permeate the novel. After all, Darcy even says to Elizabeth that he is mad at himself for doing so, but he was willing to lower himself in order to ask for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. The reader must question his intent since she doesn't have anything to bring to the relationship, and knowing this, Darcy is still uncontrollably magnetized to her. Class consciousness also surfaces when Elizabeth distinguishes between Darcy, who represents the "rooted" wealth, and Bingley, who represents and acts in the way of "Nouveau riche" at the ball. Subconsciously,  Elizabeth correlates looks and grandeur with the amount of money in her romantic's pocket.  Therefore, DW Harding certainly misunderstood Austen's intent to question the morals in the 18th century English society especially the repeated offense that finances confirm romances.