"Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Which is one very strong argument in favor of matrimony"

Jane Austen's quote suggests that single ladies are more likely to be poor than married women. This is since marriage supplies monetary stability and security, which single ladies lack. Austen is recommending that marriage is advantageous for women, as it can provide them with financial security and a much better lifestyle. She is also indicating that single females are more vulnerable to poverty, as they do not have the very same financial backing as married women. This quote highlights the value of marriage for females in Austen's time, as it was seen as a method to safeguard them from poverty. Austen's quote likewise shows the patriarchal society of her time, as females were expected to count on men for financial backing.