What does the play reveal about the conflict between social status and human love?

Marriage in the 1800's was a social contract. Love was often not a consideration, and even when a marriage was made in love, wives were expected to live socially acceptable lives. A woman's job was to take care of the home and her family. She was to be subservient to her husband. Women weren't to involve themselves in financial affairs, and women would never act behind their husbands backs. Love was nice, but it wasn't necessary. The only necessity lie in the fact that the contract be upheld.