Pride and Prejudice
In what ways is the title Pride and Prejudice important to our understanding of the novel?
In this novel, the title describes the theme to the book.
The majority of the characters in Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice suffer from pride or prejudice in certain ways. Each character, however, experiences this in different situations and each handle them in numerous ways.
Earlier in the novel, Mary describes Pride as a common failing Human nature is particularly prone to it.
The title refers to the personalities of the two main characters. It is mainly Mr. Darcy who exemplifies pride while Elizabeth Bennet is prejudice. They confront each other's faults through interaction and conversation, eventually overcoming them. However, one of the books many ironies is that the prejudiced Elizabeth thinks it is Mr. Darcy who has the overall prejudiced disposition. The same with Darcy as he thinks it is Elizabeth who is most often proud, as it could be stated Elizabeths pride makes her misjudge Darcy on the basis of a poor first impression, while Darcys prejudice against Elizabeths poor social class.
Darcy stands as the most obvious proud character. He as a high social life with others that look up to him and very high wealth, his pride is looked up to by some however to some extent it takes on a negative point as he tends to look down on others. Darcy's pride often stopped him being like by others. For example, he acted very snobby at the first ball with the Bennet's instantly disliked him. At the ball, Darcy was decided as the proudest, most disagreeable man. He also refuses to dance to Elizabeth on account of her not being "handsome enough to tempt me."
Even after he fell in love with her and proposed to Elizabeth, he as rude when mentioning her family. When Darcy first proposed to Elizabeth, she helps him to recognize his faults of pride. He has a desire to win Elizabeth's love so he changes and begins to judge people by their characters not their social class.
Elizabeth is lively, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, bold and intelligent. Elizabeth,is known mainly as prejudiced because she is influenced by vanity, irrational opinion and judgeing people. She was disgusted at Darcys behaviour and pride so she quickly becomes prejudice against him. She believes Darcy thinks he is to good for anyone and chooses to listen to rumours she hears about him, an unsociable and rude man. Elizabeth is that prejudice towards Darcy she also belives what Wickham says about Darcy. She does began to realize how very wrong she has been about Darcy from a letter she receives from him - "How despicably have I acted!". She is ashamed of herself and sees her self as been blind, prejudice and absurd.
She does eventually change her way of judging people, after a long period of knowing Mr. Darcy. First she considered him unworthy of her company, as he was so rude when they first met. This is why she is was shocked and quite rude when he proposed to her and she declined - It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot-I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly.
Elizabeth can be also be scene as a proud character on the account that she has high respect for herself and this causes her to be prejudiced against anyone who hurts it. For example when Elizabeth refers to Darcy: And I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine. However after getting to know his personality and him prove his love for her eventually, she allows herself to fall in love with him. This makes her to realize she should not finalize her opinion of people with no proof of their character.
Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley and are also the proud characters. Lady Catherines
patronizing behaviour and Miss Bingleys rudeness are because of their social class.
Miss Bingley also tends to look down on Elizabeth as she prefers to walk the 3 miles to their home and get muddy rather than take the horse.
Mrs. Bennet is extremely proud when it comes to her daughters marriages. She is very concerned if her neighbours have a high opinion of her that her own vanity will not even allow her to think of her daughters love and happiness. For example her daughter Elizabeth Bennet s was proposed marriage to the strange Mr. Collins, a man she did not love. Mrs. Bennet was so upset when her daughter refused Mr. Collins that she would not speak.
It is evident from every point of the story that all people care about is marrying into a higher social rank. And even for those who are comfortable with their current status, it is imperative that they only marry someone of at least equivalent rank. This idea possesses every character in the story and seems to motivate every action that is taken.
Elizabeth makes no secret about her dislike for Mr. Darcy throughout the book. When she does fall in love with him, it is against her will and it s a surprise everyone, especially her. She then had to explain to her friends and family that she changed her opinion of him and she really did love him The same with Darcy, he went out of his way to keep his friend away from the Bennets, not wanting to get involved with their family because he thought they were unsuitable. He was rude to Elizabeth for quite a while, and then when he realized he was in love with her he had to eat his words and explain to her and admit to himself that his opinion was changed.
The books first title was first impressions this would have also being a good title as it is based on Elizabeth's first impressions of Darcy being very prideful, also its about Darcy first impressions of Elizabeth, being unworthy of knowing.
The happy ending of this novel suits the novel because it stresses the point that pride and prejudice can be overcome. This meaning nothing in the novel is seen as pointless or distracting from the main theme, pride and prejudice.
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