Prior to reading the novel Pride and Prejudice, the title did not seem very significant. Yet, upon finishing the novel, the title encapsulates the very theme of Jane Austen’s writing. The novel follows two characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, as they struggle with their own pride and prejudice and eventually overcome them to find they are well-suited for each other. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice initially put them at odds with each other; however, certain events in the novel shine light on their true characters, and Darcy and Elizabeth find that first impressions are very often wrong.
Elizabeth first meets Darcy at the ball in Meryton. Darcy makes an unfavorable impression by being cold and unfriendly. This is the beginning of Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy. The novel states, “He [Darcy] was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, til his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased” (Austen 8). At the ball, Darcy danced only with those in his own party and refused to be introduced to any other lady. Elizabeth decides then “he was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world” (Austen 8). This impression is further cemented when Elizabeth overhears Darcy describing her as “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen 9). This first meeting illustrates Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice.
Chapter 34 is the turning point of Pride and Prejudice. Until this point in the novel, Elizabeth has maintained her prejudice against Darcy, but Darcy has begun to admire and love Elizabeth against his better judgment. In this chapter, Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him. Darcy allows his pride to guide his proposal and focuses on loving her despite the inferiority of her circumstances. Immediately, Elizabeth refuses his hand and yields to her prejudices. Her response corresponds to the judgments she has already made about him. In fact, she states, “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry” (Austen 158). Yet, this is not the end of their story. Darcy then writes a letter to Elizabeth outlining his perspective on events that have caused her to judge him harshly. This letter is a humbling process for both Elizabeth and Darcy. The letter reveals how Elizabeth has misjudged Darcy, and her mistaken prejudice is apparent. For Darcy, Elizabeth’s rejection of his proposal hurt his pride, and he realizes the extent of his arrogance. Darcy strives to act in a more gentlemanly manner following Elizabeth’s rejection.
Following the letter, Darcy demonstrates his continued devotion to Elizabeth. He assists in her family affairs when Lydia runs off with Wickham and continues pursuing Elizabeth despite the wishes of his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Ultimately, both characters overcome their pride and prejudice and find that their affections for each other outweigh other obstacles.
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ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with your analysis of Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice as being a focal point within the story. I also believe that Austen writes in a way that suggests readers should be following along with the judgements of the characters, and I like that you included details from the ball where Elizabeth and Darcy meet as this scene is key to understanding how the characters are set up to think about themselves and the others.
ReplyDeleteEarly on in the novel, Darcy is shown as being an arrogant person due to his behavior at the ball. This idea of pride is pushed on readers as Darcy makes comments such as “I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen [ladies], in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished” (Austen 35). This is said after the ball during which Darcy turns his nose at most of the girls in attendance, including Elizabeth. Therefore, it is easy for readers to sympathize with Elizabeth’s early view that Darcy is an overly-prideful man. However, this view begins to overturn when she visits Pemberley and hears of Darcy’s housekeeper’s praise of his manners. Upon further viewing more details of Darcy’s life, it is easier for readers to see how Elizabeth’s initial prejudice against Darcy might be unwarranted, or potentially was no longer needed after Darcy began to amend his outward appearance and manners.
Finally, I like how you mention that Darcy’s letter is the turning point in their relationship. I think that this is a good identification because this letter does truly dissolve Elizabeth’s past views of Darcy, and opens her up to see beyond her initial prejudice.
I agree with your blog on the significance of the prejudice and pride in this novel. Before reading this book for the first time it took me a while to put two and two together of Mr. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth's prejudice. Reading this book for a second time, it is so obvious how their concerns for each other lead to them clashing. I agree with your point that their first impressions started off wrong, especially Mr. Darcy. Him saying “Tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen 9) was disrespectful behavior and him not wanting to dance with anyone because he is acting “better than” everyone else would lead anyone to be prejudiced against him.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is important to point out how Elizabeth immediately believed Wickham's story because of her prejudice towards Mr. Darcy. She doesn't hesitate to believe another story of Darcy being arrogant. Elizabeth's judgment is more based on appearances and status rather than reality.
I also agree with how the letter is the turning point in their relationship and where they begin to become one. The letter opens her eyes to the truth and she is able to overcome her prejudice and realize that she has been blind to her judgments. They eventually do come to a union and are a perfect match for each other because of their strong personalities and intelligence.