I recently watched Becoming Jane with a friend and her 14 year old daughter.
Here is a little plot outlineif you have not seen the movie:
The year is 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year-old and emerging writer who already sees a world beyond class and commerce, beyond pride and prejudice, and dreams of doing what was then nearly unthinkable - marrying for love. Naturally, her parents are searching for a wealthy, well-appointed husband to assure their daughter's future social standing. They are eyeing Mr. Wisley, nephew to the very formidable, not to mention very rich, local aristocrat Lady Gresham, as a prospective match. But when Jane meets the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy, sparks soon fly along with the sharp repartee. His intellect and arrogance raise her ire - then knock her head over heels. Now, the couple, whose flirtation flies in the face of the sense and sensibility of the age, is faced with a terrible dilemma. If they attempt to marry, they will risk everything that matters - family, friends and fortune.

It was funny how differently we all viewed the movie. My friend is obsessed with preparing her 14 year old before she begins to date. She does not want her daughter to make many of the wrong choices she made. This mother said, "I liked the movie because the characters all made the best choices." The 14 year old felt that Jane should have married the love of her life even if it meant a life of poverty for the couple and his siblings. I, the 41 year old single, did not see things the same ways as either of them or as clearly. The love of her life, Lefroy, reminded me of some of the immature (but fun) guys I dated in my 20's that did not want responsibility or want to grow up.

I may be misjudging Lefroy because he was both sending money home and in law school. But, he did not seem driven and I was irritated at him when he quickly got engaged to someone else and did not tell/warn Jane. Then tried to come back.

I want to find the love of my life as much as the next person! But, I am not sure love is enough to live on. If Jane and Lefroy's future was painted as modest life; then I would say, "Yes, sacrifice here and there for love!" But, it was implied they would be poverty stricken. I just can not imagine being poverty stricken with the love of your life. If we were in that situation because of illness or injury that is a different matter entirely. But, poverty as a result of being married to someone immature and lazy--that love would fade quickly in my opinion.
Turns out Jane makes a life for herself as an independent single woman. We have the luxury today of knowing that is possible. But if I had been Jane I may have married the wealth man that loved me. (Unless I was just repulsed by him.) But, Jane had more faith in her pen that I do in mine. I have spent a million hours promoting Princess Bubble and would be starving if I depended on my book to feed me.

At this point in my life, I am not looking for Prince Charming to rescue me-but I am not going to be the one doing the rescuing either. My life is great and if someone does not add to the quality of my life I am just not interested. I already live VERY modestly and am not interested in sacrificing my freedom and lifestyle. I guess I too believe Jane did the right thing. I just think it was gutsy and I wonder if I would be as brave and determined to Become Jane?