MovieChat Forums > An Education (2010) Discussion > Why did David ask to marry Jenny?

Why did David ask to marry Jenny?

posted 11 years ago by HenryCW
5 replies | jump to latest

Did that really happen in real life? I mean what could David have gained by marrying Jenny? He had already everything from her. She allowed him to peek at her breasts and had sex with him. Did he really want to go through the ceremonies or did he have something else in mind?

I believe polygamy was (and is) not allowed in Britain, and that there is something called the Marriage Registry. I wonder what would have happened if he really married Jenny. Would he be discovered and sent to prison? Also, from what Mrs. Goldman said, we know David had deceived many other underage girls and even got some pregnant. Did he marry some of them too?

[–] annlevtex 11 years ago

Of course polygamy was illegal. He wanted to marry her and live a double life so he could hang onto her. Otherwise, she would have moved on.

The memoir tells us that when Jenny found out he was married, Helen and Danny confessed to her that he had planned to simply keep her in a separate home and have two wives, keeping them secret from each other.

[–] truthhurts123 10 years ago

I thought it was because in the scene prior it seemed like Jenny and Graham had some connection and were flirting. David wanted to prove to Graham that she was his - a rash move that proved that he was childish and also a complete coward - not confronting things head on. He chooses to be rather spineless and we as the viewer, like Jenny grow less enchanted by his initial perceived glamour as it proves to be non- existent.

[–] daan_8336 10 years ago

Danny and Graham don't sound even remotely alike. Why do people keep confusing the two?

[–] milicentbrovovich 8 years ago

I think it's because Jenny and Danny were dancing just before and they had great sexual chemistry when doing so, maybe better than her and David and he felt jealous and wanted to claim her for himself. It was a rash decision not genuine or thought out.

[–] maniubao 7 years ago

I agree. It was mostly impulsive and out of jealousy. There was that one scene as well, after the engagement, where they were at Danny's flat and he was showing everyone the armadillo sculpture. He was joking around and told Jenny "he wants to kiss you". And David, after seeing Jenny grin and giggle at this joke, he immediately said "we're engaged." Overall I think he was starting to get jealous of his friend's charms so he wanted to have that possession on Jenny.