The Perfume of Eros · Theme
Social Class and Marriage
How The Perfume of Eros develops Social Class and Marriage.
The book explores how marriage is driven by social status, wealth, and family expectations rather than love, as seen in Fanny's pursuit of a wealthy match and Marie's desire to escape her lower-class origins through Loftus.
Where it surfaces
- I: A Man of Fashion
The dinner party and Loftus's mother's concern about Fanny Price highlight the importance of social standing and marriage in high society.
- II: The Pocket Venus
The chapter discusses Sylvia's engagement to Annandale and the social expectations surrounding marriage.
- Enchantment
Marie's concern about being 'nobody' and the secretive nature of the proposed union highlight the class barriers and social conventions surrounding marriage.
- VI: The Yellow Fay
The breaking of the engagement highlights the importance of reputation and propriety in marriage within high society.
- Two in a Turret
Mrs. Price's obsession with a brilliant match reflects the era's emphasis on wealth in marriage.
- IX: Fanny Changes Her Clothes
Mrs. Price's outrage at Fanny's engagement to Annandale highlights the importance of marrying for wealth and status, as she considers Annandale a 'pauper' despite his heroism.