It is quite interesting that Godwin presents the role of a wife as a commodity chosen almost blindly. Rather than entering into a marriage based on mutual attachment and friendship, young people at the time married each other after meeting each other in polite, civil social situations where both parties behave politely, much like two business men in a trade dealing. What is personal is hidden away beneath manners and desires to make a profitable exchange. Also interesting, in the selection of a marriage partner a person could very rarely move on the social ladder; he married within the circle into which he was born. Similarly, careers and social statuses of people in the 18th century were fairly rigidly fixed, allowing for little opportunity of advancement. According to Godwin, changing the system of marriage would better allow people to explore partner options without as much concern for financial concern as much as long-term happiness. In business dealings, if men treated each other equally and shared wealth rather than hoarded it the need for socially classes would dissipate and the options for marriage partners would expand into previously forbidden social circles. Consequently, the likeliness of finding a suitable partner would increase.
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