There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them

There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them

In Jane Austen's novels, the theme of marriage and social status is a prevalent one. The quote, "There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them," speaks to the societal norms and expectations of the time in which Austen wrote. In the Regency era, women's worth was often tied to their ability to secure a wealthy husband, as marriage was seen as a means of social advancement and financial security.

Austen's novels often feature female protagonists who are navigating the complexities of courtship and marriage in a society that places a high value on wealth and status. Characters like Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" and Emma Woodhouse in "Emma" are faced with the pressure to marry well in order to secure their futures. The quote highlights the imbalance between the number of eligible women seeking wealthy husbands and the limited number of men who possess the means to provide for them.