What are some good historical arranged marriage novels?
The 'Gone with the Wind' can be considered in this regard. Scarlett O'Hara's marriages are greatly influenced by the historical context of the American Civil War, and there are elements of arranged - like situations, especially her first marriage which was more of a means to save her family's plantation. 'Anna Karenina' by Tolstoy also has a look at marriage in a historical Russian context. Anna's relationship is in contrast to the more traditional, arranged - like marriages of that time in Russia, which helps to highlight the different aspects of love and marriage in that society.
I would recommend 'Sense and Sensibility'. In the world of 18th - century England depicted in the novel, marriage was often a matter of family connections and financial security. The Dashwood sisters' experiences with love and marriage show how arranged marriages were common and how individuals coped with or rebelled against such arrangements. Also, 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot is a great example. Set in a provincial English town in the 19th century, it shows the various marriages, some of which have elements of arrangement due to social class and family expectations.
One popular one is 'Pride and Prejudice'. It's set in the early 19th - century England. The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy starts off as a sort of arranged - marriage - like situation due to social expectations. Another is 'Jane Eyre'. Although not a traditional arranged marriage in the strictest sense, Jane is pressured into a marriage - like situation with Rochester which is influenced by social and economic factors of that historical period. And 'Wuthering Heights' also has elements of arranged marriages within the complex web of relationships in the Yorkshire moors setting of the 19th century.
