# Marriage as Transaction in Castle Rackrent

> Theme guide for Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth.

Marriages in the novel are driven by financial and social calculation rather than love, as seen in Sir Murtagh's marriage to a Skinflint heiress, Sir Condy's toss-up between Judy McQuirk and Isabella Moneygawl, and the strategic alliances pursued for property.

## Where it surfaces

- [History of Sir Conolly Rackrent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/castle_rackrent_se/chapters/continuation-of-the-memoirs-of-the-rackrent-family-history-of-sir-conolly-rackrent): Miss Isabella's love for Sir Condy is contrasted with her father's outrage, hinting at the transactional nature of marriage in terms of social and financial status.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/castle_rackrent_se/chapters/endnotes): Lady Cathcart's imprisonment by her husband Colonel McGuire illustrates the extreme abuse of marital power.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/castle_rackrent_se/themes/marriage_as_transaction
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/castle_rackrent_se/themes