In Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen, the attributes of pride and prejudice cause people to misjudge each other. Discuss this statement with reference to the text.

'Mr Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow minded man'

Elizabeth's own pride will not allow her to marry Mr Collins for convenience and she misjudges Charlotte by believing she would also act the same way.

Charlotte Lucas is not the only friend that Elizabeth misjudges. She is also wrong about George Wickham as a result of her pride and prejudice. Elizabeth finds Mr Wickham a charming man, despite being suspicious at first when seeing Darcy's negative reaction towards Mr Wickham upon their first meeting. In contrast to Mr Darcy, Elizabeth forms a good impression of Mr Wickham, saying:

'His appearance was greatly in his favour'

She does not doubt her initial judgement of him as a result of her pride in judging character.

The way she misjudges his true character causes her to believe Mr Wickham is the victim when Darcy failed to provide for him out of his father's will and she becomes further prejudiced against Mr Darcy. It would appear that Elizabeth's dislike of Mr Darcy causes her favourable opinion of Mr Wickham to spite him. Through Mr Wickham's treatment of Lydia she comes to realise his true character. She realises she has been 'blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd.'

Perhaps Elizabeth's greatest mistake in judgement is with Fitzwilliam Darcy. After overhearing comments made about herself by him, her vanity and pride is hurt and she is 'left with no cordial feelings towards Mr Darcy'.

It is at this point she starts to become prejudiced against him. This prejudice is then fueled by other unfavourable remarks made by others against Mr Darcy. An example of this is Mrs. Gardiner's recollection of Darcy's character as being 'a very proud, ill natured boy' (page 180, chapter 25)

The behaviour displayed by Mr Darcy himself reinforces Elizabeth's views of him, as he only danced with Miss Bingley at the first ball as well as showed indifference and rather rude manners.

Like Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy possesses both pride and prejudice. His pride is due to his higher social status and connections in comparison with the Bennets. As a result, he displays arrogant and conceited behavior during the Netherfield ball and offends Elizabeth when saying

'She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me'

Because of his pride, he misjudges Elizabeth at first by failing to recognise other aspects of her personality such as her liveliness and intelligence. He is prejudiced against Elizabeth as he judges her according to her mother and sisters, whom he sees as ignorant.

Mr Darcy's pride not only causes Elizabeth to misjudge him, but many of the townspeople to become prejudiced against him. The prejudice of many towards Mr Darcy is shown in chapter 24, 'by everybody else Mr Darcy was condemned as the worst of men'

Darcy's prejudice is in the form of social prejudice, as he is extremely class conscious. He acknowledges his admiration for Elizabeth, yet is against showing it due to her inferior social status. This is shown when he thinks to himself:

'were it not for the inferiority of (Elizabeth's) connections, he should be in some danger.'

Elizabeth's prejudice prevents her from seeing Darcy's admiration towards her. As a result she is mystified when meeting Darcy several times on her walking path. It never crosses her mind he is there on purpose with the intention of meeting her.

The pride and prejudice of both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy presents an obstacle in the development of their relationship and results in disastrous meetings such as the Meryton and Netherfield ball.

It is not only until Elizabeth hears the generous side of Mr Darcy from his housekeeper and Mr Darcy's assistance in Lydia's situation that they begin to understand each other and come to realise their judgements have been previously clouded by pride and prejudice. Elizabeth realises this is so when saying:

'How despicable have I acted, I, who have prided myself on my discernment'

She is ashamed of herself because she has misjudged both Mr Darcy and Mr Wickham.

The attributes of pride and prejudice of both cause both Elizabeth and Darcy to misjudge each other as well as other people. Elizabeth prides herself at judging people, yet she is inaccurate when judging those close to her such as Mr Wickham and Charlotte. Mr Darcy is proud of his social status and becomes prejudiced against Elizabeth. It is not until later in the novel that his true character can be seen by Elizabeth and others such as Mr and Mrs. Gardiner. From these events it is evident that the attributes of pride and prejudice cause people to misjudge each other.