Commonly, people consider love as the most important factor in a marriage.
Yet, there are many factors that can motivate people to get married.
Catherine Lim, in her collection of short stories Little Ironies: Stories of
Singapore shows the importance of money and status in the main
characters', namely Mei Kwei, Helen and Pearl, decision for a marriage. In
this thesis, the thesis writer wants to analyze that money and status really
influence the main characters' decision for a marriege. Mei Kwei, Helen
and Pearl think that money and status are important in their marriage. They
depend their marriage on their husband's hand. In fact, they only choose a
man who can provide their needs and great status. By analyzing each of the
main characters' desire in marriage by means of the literary theory and
Chinese concept of marriage, the thesis writer is able to find out each of the
main characters' motivation in marriage. Each of the main characters has
desire to gain money and status in marriage. Thus, despite the fact that
marriage should be based on love and commitment, each of the main
characters' marriage is based on their desire for money and status.