Jane Austen’s novels masterfully explore the dance between love and money. Fans often use the phrase “Myrtle and Turkey” to summarize this theme. Myrtle represents love and romance. Turkey symbolizes practical needs like wealth and security. While this phrase is a useful shorthand, it is not a direct quote from Austen. However, Austen did include a powerful quote from another writer that reveals her deep thoughts on the subject. In Persuasion, she quotes the French salonnière Madame du Deffand.
“On meurt deux Source fois, je le vois bien : > > Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable, > > C’est une mort insupportable : > > Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”
This poignant verse offers a key to understanding the true weight of emotion in Austen’s work. It provides a profound counterpoint to the purely economic interpretations of her stories. Let’s explore what this quote means and how it illuminates the classic Austenian dilemma.
The Two Deaths: Unpacking the French Verse
The quote translates to a powerful statement about life and love. It says, “We die twice, I see it well: To cease to love and be lovable is an unbearable death; to cease to live is nothing.” Madame du Deffand suggests that an emotional death is far worse than a physical one. The true tragedy is a life without affection, connection, and the ability to inspire love in others. This idea is central to the emotional journey of many Austen heroines.
Captain Wentworth, the hero of Persuasion, discovers this verse after his long separation from Anne Elliot. He believed he had hardened his heart against her. However, the words strike him deeply. He realizes that a life without Anne’s love, even a successful and prosperous one, feels empty. The quote forces him to confront the unbearable death of a loveless existence. Consequently, he understands that his pride and resentment have cost him true happiness. This moment reveals that for Austen, emotional fulfillment is not a luxury. It is an essential part of a life worth living.
Balancing the Heart and the Household
How does this profound sentiment fit with the practical, often financial, motivations driving Austen’s plots? The genius of Austen lies in her refusal to separate the two. She presents a world where both myrtle (love) and turkey (security) are necessary for women to thrive. The French quote emphasizes the supreme importance of love. Yet, the novels consistently show the harsh consequences of ignoring practical realities.
In Regency England, women had very few paths to financial independence. Source . Marriage was not just a romantic choice; it was often an economic necessity. A woman’s security, social standing, and future were tied directly to her husband. Austen does not shy away from this truth. She shows characters who must make difficult choices based on their circumstances.
The Pragmatic Choice
Consider Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice. She marries the insufferable Mr. Collins. Charlotte does not love him. She makes a purely practical decision to secure her future. She chooses turkey over myrtle. Austen presents this choice without harsh judgment, showing it as a logical response to a difficult situation. Charlotte secures a home and financial stability, but she gives up the chance for a marriage based on love and mutual respect. Her choice highlights the difficult compromises many women faced. It serves as a stark contrast to Elizabeth Bennet’s journey, who insists on marrying for genuine affection.
Similarly, in Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwood sisters face poverty after their father’s death. Their financial vulnerability shapes their romantic prospects. Their story constantly weighs the pull of the heart against the need for a stable income. Austen uses their situation to explore how economic pressures can complicate, and even threaten, the pursuit of love. These examples show that while a loveless life is an “unbearable death,” a life of poverty and uncertainty is also a grim reality.
The Ultimate Goal: Finding Both Myrtle and Turkey
Austen’s ideal is not a choice between love and money. Instead, her happiest characters are those who manage to secure both. The ultimate triumph in an Austen novel is a marriage that satisfies the heart and provides a secure future. Elizabeth Bennet finds this with Mr. Darcy. Anne Elliot reunites with a now-wealthy Captain Wentworth. Emma Woodhouse marries her trusted friend and social equal, Mr. Knightley.
These endings are not simple fairy tales. They are the result of personal growth, corrected misunderstandings, and a fortunate alignment of circumstances. Austen suggests that true happiness is a blend of emotional connection and practical stability. The French quote reminds us that love is the ultimate prize, the thing that makes life worth living. However, the plots of her novels demonstrate that this prize is best enjoyed from a position of comfort and security.
In conclusion, the so-called