Final answer:
The author views the wife as grateful and pleased, as evidenced by the sense of satisfaction and pride in Mrs. Bennet's portrayal and Clarisse's contentment with her circumstances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided passages, the author seems to view the wife as being grateful and pleased. The phrase 'Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters' indicates a sense of satisfaction and pride in her daughters' marriages, giving the impression of gratitude. Similarly, passages describing characters like Clarisse show a sense of contentment with the circumstances, as she 'was charmed upon receiving her husband's letter' and the 'first free breath since her marriage' seemed to restore her liberty. While there are no expressions of being annoyed, the passages do not seem to suggest that any of the women were entirely satisfied with their lives; therefore, options like 'annoying' and 'satisfied' may not be quite accurate. The excerpts provided emphasize the women’s ability to find happiness or contentment in their given circumstances, which supports the interpretation of them being grateful and pleased.