'The men in Pride and Prejudice get the wives they deserve.' To what extend is this shown in the novel?

Fun essay question! Well, let us consider the four main
marriages of the novel when thinking about this: Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Mr. and Mrs.
Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley and finally Mr. and Mrs. Wickham. If we consider each of
these marriages in turn, we can see that on the whole, this statement is borne
out.

The final chapter of the novel clearly indicates the
way that Mr. and Mrs. Wickham are very well suited for each other in their moral
character. Both are shown to remain just as they were and not to have learnt
anything:

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They were always moving from place to place in
quest of a cheap situation, and always spending more than they ought. His affection for
her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer; and in spite of her youth
and her manners, she retained all the claims to reputation which her marriage had given
her.

Both are suited for each
other in their general dissipation and idleness and inability to control their
finances.

If we have a look at the Bingleys and the Darcys
together, I think we can definitely say that both of these husbands get the wives they
deserve. Note what Lizzie realises during the Lydia
fiasco:

It was
a union that must have been to the advantage of both--by her ease and liveliness, his
mind might have been softened, his manners
improved...

We can see that
Lizzie's sense of humour and lively wit is exactly what Darcy needs to challenge his
pride and serious demeanour. Bingley, too, finds his perfect match in Jane from her
steadfast love, positive nature and kindness.

The only
marriage that I think does not support this statement is that of Mr. Collins and
Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins after all for financial reasons and
has no affection for her husband. When Lizzie visits her, it is clear that she has
arranged things so as to spend as little with her husband as possible. Charlotte, in her
common sense and goodness, clearly would lead us to conclude that she is not deserved by
her husband. However, the rest of the marriages indicate that the statement is true for
this novel, on the whole.