Final answer:
The marriage plans involve characters' thoughts and actions towards weddings, with Victor preparing by managing his emotions and moral dilemmas regarding Bess's past. Marriage is depicted as a noble institution and crucial social commitment in the narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The marriage plans are central to the narratives provided in the excerpts, where characters express their contemplations and actions regarding upcoming weddings and commitments. Victor's preparations for what he fears will involve a level of introspection and management of his emotions to ensure a future for his companion Bess, despite her past. He is torn between his love for her and the recognition of her history with Oldring, facing a moral and emotional dilemma that he resolves by focusing on their shared future.
In the context of these stories, marriage represents a significant emotional and societal commitment, carrying themes of love, duty, and social expectation. Old Grannis sees it as a 'noble institution' and the 'foundation of society,' and despite personal anguish or societal pressures, characters like Victor progress towards marriage with a mix of hope and trepidation.