It Is A Truth Universally Acknowledged, That A Single Man In Possession Of A Good Fortune Must Be In Want Of A Wife.

[Canary42]

Can there be any truth in this ?

[sandyRoe]

Would that not depend on the man? I can't imaging Elton John, for example, ever felt in want of a wife.

[cupid04]

He did have one for a short while though!

[sandyRoe]

I never knew that. So not a good example, then.

[cupid04]

Renate Blauel in 1984.

[jno]

I think the idea is they want an heir to leave their money to, so yes, I suspect that's still true.

[Old_Geezer]

It would be a woman who is looking for a rich husband who would wish to believe it is so. Whether it really is will depend on the single man. We all wish for different things.

[The Builder]

Elizabeth Bennett being a tad sarcastic, I imagine; reflecting her Mother's social aspirations. Understandable, I guess, since she has five daughters to unload.

"In want of" could be taken two ways. Either he "desires" a wife, and wouldn't mind giving it a go, or he "needs" one.

"Desire" is understandable. "Need" is arguable.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah I see. Then the next question is, "Who's wife ?"

[ladybirder]

I think that would be the opinion of mothers with daughters to unload.

[jourdain2]

I think that 'in want of' generally translates as 'needs'. Probably right by the mores of the times.