Jane Austen conveys that Darcy although wealthy and noble of learning, his pride and awareness of his of his own superiority to the company at the ball and his willingness to reveal his contempt lead to all to agree that he is unbearably proud and disagreeable.
‘His Character was decided. He was the proudest most disagreeable man in the room.’
Through Darcy’s introduction, the impression is given that Mr Darcy is exceedingly proud because of his great fortune and estate and as a result of the emphasis at that time on monetary issues.
An example of this is the beginning of the novel, the ball, when Mr Darcy ignores Elizabeth Bennet in an act of pride. He refuses to dance with her on account of her not being "handsome enough to tempt me." (Chapter 3, page 13) After being described throughout the chapter as being "the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world" (Chapter3) because he would not socialise ("he danced only once with Mrs Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party") (chapter3).
On the other hand, Darcy’s proud nature can be accepted amongst Charlotte, Elizabeth’s good friend that states, “His pride doe not affect me so much because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very a fine young man, with family, fortune, should think highly of himself.”
Charlotte’s assessment of Darcy’s pride represents a perspective on wealth and privilege that was common in nineteenth- century Britain. Although he is attracted to Elizabeth, he is patronizing towards her because of her inferior social level and her family.
He is drawn to Elizabeth’s “light and pleasing” figure and the “easy playfulness” of her manners. This is why Darcy’s feelings for Elizabeth have reached the point of his outbreak, whilst Elizabeth and Darcy are in Hunsford, “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”(Chapter 34, page 157) Jane Austen is conveying to the reader that this is the wrong way to propose as through this it becomes clear that Darcy has regretted loving Elizabeth from the beginning. Mr Darcy’s proposal demonstrates how his feelings have changed towards Elizabeth. At this point, Darcy has proven his willingness to sacrifice a little pride for Elizabeth’s happiness.
“He was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride,”(Chapter34, page 157) Jane Austen’s opinion of Mr Darcy becomes clear to the reader through the voice of the narrator. Darcy must prioritise love over his sense of superiority before he is worthy of Elizabeth’s hand.
Elizabeth rejects his proposal however instead of feeling hatred for Darcy like she did before, she begins to see him in a new light.
Later on during chapter 43, Jane Austen changes Elizabeth’s and the readers view upon Darcy. Elizabeth visits Pemberly where she talks to Darcy’s servant, who does not have a bad word to say about him, ‘But I have always observer, that they who are good-natured when they are children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he always was the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world,’(chapter 43, page 204) Mrs Gardner says about Darcy. Mrs gardener also explains to Elizabeth how is a generous master to his servants and tenants and a loving brother to his young sister Georgiana.
From this chapter on, Elizabeth’s and the readers view is changed, Mr Darcy’s pride is excused, and in its place is a good-natured young man. Towards the end of the chapter Elizabeth meets Mr Darcy again, ‘Never in her life has she seen such manners so little dignified; never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting.’ Jane Austen conveys to the reader and Elizabeth that Mr Darcy’s pride has been overcome.
Jane Austen relates Elizabeth’s point of view of events more often than Mr Darcy’s, so Elizabeth often seems a more sympathetic figure. The reader and Elizabeth eventually realises his kindness when he rescues Lydia and the entire Bennet family from disgrace, and when he goes again the wishes of his auntie Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by continuing to peruse Elizabeth.
Jane Austen strongly conveys to the reader that the lesson of the novel is pride has to be overcome in order for successful love. Jane Austen cleverly shows that once pride is conquered a character becomes much more favourable. Jane Austen has Darcy in the book to teach us this; Darcy portrays the pride in the title.
Prejudice.
- An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
- A preconceived preference or idea.
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The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at .
- Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
- Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.
Jane Austen expresses her views on prejudice throughout her novel; a person who is prejudice has adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts. The concept of prejudice in this book is a prejudice opinion has a negative effect and prevents happiness; you should get to know the real person, rather than jumping to conclusions and believing rumours. Jane Austen does not convey to us that prejudice is a bad thing, but that is human nature and just to be careful.
Throughout the book Jane Austen informs the reader that they are prejudice, as the reader reads through the book they form their own opinion towards characters like Mr Darcy and Catherine de Bourgh, so as well as teaching Elizabeth a lesson through the book, Jane Austen teaches the same lesson to the reader.
While the term of prejudice pertains particularly to Elizabeth there are other characters that portray this trait as well. Jane Austen has depicted prejudice in her minor characters as a means of demonstrating its importance as a theme of this novel.
The lesson of the novel is to learn not to misjudge on your first encounter. This is shown throughout the novel and is how Elizabeth fits into the novel as a whole. It is her main part in the book. Jane Austen has Elizabeth in the book to teach the reader about prejudice. Jane puts Elizabeth in many situations where her only part is to judge the people around her and make frivolous remarks. The whole novel is based around Elizabeth Bennet. She fits into the action of the novel by portraying the prejudice in the title.
Jane Austen communicates with the reader through Elizabeth, Elizabeth is prejudice towards Mr Darcy. At the beginning of the novel Elizabeth is the one that experiences Darcy’s pride first hand. When Mr Darcy and Elizabeth first meet at the Meryton assembly, Mr Bingly tells Mr Darcy that Elizabeth is one of the many very pretty in the room:
“ She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” (Chapter 3, page13)
Darcy replies. Elizabeth overhears the convocation and her prejudice shows through as through, after what she heard she assumed Darcy to be proud. ‘Elizabeth remained with no cordial feelings towards him.’
Jane Austen does not convey that she blames Elizabeth for her prejudice towards Mr Darcy at first, anyone including the reader would assume Darcy to be proud and cold-hearted after hearing a malicious comment, through which Darcy also shows prejudice towards Elizabeth. Darcy shows prejudice because he also judged Elizabeth not long after meeting her.
Jane Austen next shows the whole town is prejudice by having the town gossip about the rumours of Mr Darcy’s pride. This was typical for a town in Jane Austen’s time, where rumours spread via word of mouth fast. Although Jane Austen probably didn’t write this to teach the modern day reader a question, (no one knows what the future will be like) it proves how even in modern day, rumours can be spread and prejudice opinions formed.
At this point Jane Austen cleverly proves to the reader that they are prejudice as well, as the reader by this point has probably formed a strong opinion towards Mr Darcy, after only just having met him.
Elizabeths prejudice towards Darcy is also cultivated by her mother who states, "... he is the most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all with pleasing. So high and conceited that there is no enduring him," (Chapter 3).
At the next assembly Mr Darcy was again introduced to Elizabeth, this time Elizabeth was asked to dance, ‘ Indeed, Sir I have no intention of dancing’ Elizabeth has obviously formed a very strong prejudice opinion towards Mr Darcy and refuses the offer to dance.
Mrs Bennet is shown to convey prejudice again when she learns that Mr Collins, her husbands cousin is coming to stay, ‘I cannot not bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man.’ Mrs Bennet manages to form a very strong prejudice opinion of Mr Collins before even meeting him. How can you blame Elizabeth for forming an opinion of Mr Darcy, if she has grown up with a mother that forms prejudice opinions as easy as this?
Elizabeth's prejudice is later fuelled by the defamatory remarks Wickham makes towards Darcy, when they meet in Meryton in chapter 15. Elizabeth meets Mr Wickham and forms the opinion that he is a charming young man.
Mr Wickham and Elizabeth meet again and Mr Wickham forms a stronger dislike for Mr Darcy in both Elizabeth’s and the readers mind, Mr Wickham tells a story about their youth. ‘I had not thought Mr Darcy as bad a this,’ was Elizabeth’s reply. Jane Austen shows through this convocation that Elizabeth and the reader believe what Mr Wickham is saying true, just because he is handsome and charming.
Jane Austen has so far shown a lot of prejudice through her characters, however so far has not taught the reader a lesson. Elizabeth has been prejudice and has not yet noticed the negative effects. The recognition that she can make mistakes is not easy because Elizabeth knows she is clever and used to being right about things. Jane Austen created a Elizabeth’s character like this because there are so many people in the world like the character of Elizabeth, the readers feel connected to her.
Whilst in Huntsford Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, Elizabeth still shows a prejudice opinion and refuses the offer of marriage, ‘ You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.’(chapter 34 page 159) Jane Austen shows through Elizabeth that a happy relationship cannot work if Elizabeth’s prejudice is not overcome.
Elizabeth gives what Mr Wickham told her as one reason not to marry him among man others Elizabeth also blamed him for her sister not being married to Mr Bingly. Darcy did not really reply and correct her. ‘Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts’ (chapter 35 page 161) During this chapter Jane Austen show how Elizabeth prejudice opinion of Mr Darcy changes gradually, Elizabeth first starts to question her own judgement.
Elizabeth reads a letter from Mr Darcy, which explains everything and gives reasons about Bingly and Jane and also explained about Mr Wickham. Elizabeth ‘grew absolutely ashamed of herself’ (chapter36 page 171) Through Elizabeth; Jane Austen has started to show that prejudice has negative effects. Elizabeth’s prejudices towards Mr Darcy slowly change.
When Elizabeth Visits Longbourn for the first time, where Elizabeth meets Miss Darcy and Darcy’s servants, all of who do not have a horrible word to say about Darcy.
Later Elizabeth’s prejudices are erased further, with a letter from Mrs Gardiner that explained Darcy gave money to Mr Wickham to marry Lydia, who he ran away with. Mr Darcy did this, so the family would not get a bad name. Jane Austen shows that Elizabeth’s first opinion of Darcy was wrong and that he is good-natured and kind.
Jane Austen has shown to the reader not to misjudge on your first encounter. Lady Catherine de Bourgh shows her prejudice towards Elizabeth when she visits Elizabeth telling her not to marry Mr Darcy.
Jane Austen shows her message very clearly when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth again at the eng of the book, Elizabeth’s prejudice along with Mr Darcy’s pride has been overcome, this is shown in the way Mr Darcy proposes her, shows love and not pride. Through this Jane Austen conveys her views that Pride and prejudice have to be conquered in order for a successful and happy marriage, and how a prejudice opinion has a negative effect and prevents happiness; you should get to know the real person, rather than jumping to conclusions and believing rumours. Jane Austen does not convey to us that prejudice is a bad thing, but that is human nature and just to be careful.
Marriage
Throughout the book Jane Austen shows her views on marriage through the majority of the characters. Throughout the book
Elizabeth's marriage to Darcy is, "in a sense a triumph of the individual over society; but, paradoxically, Elizabeth achieves her most genuine conquest of pride and prejudice only after she has accepted the full social value of her judgment that, "to be mistress of Pemberly might be something!'" (Magill 5313).
Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, deals with, "the involvement, and feelings, and characters of ordinary life," (Tucker 512). Unrestrained by society, having been captivated by youth and beauty, Mr. Bennett consulted only his personal desire and made a disastrous marriage (Magill 5312). Elizabeth and Darcy start by disliking one another but wit turns dislike and disdain into love and leads then to a greater understanding of themselves and others (Daiches 28). Pride and prejudice are not always faults. The pride and prejudice shown in this novel through these characters reveal some do the self-respect and intelligence that they posses. Though Elizabeth's prejudices were often influences by others, she managed to look past it as she learned that Darcy did in fact have an immense measure of pride. However, the pride in which he possessed was that of a noble standing.
Her judgment of Darcy stems from her initial prejudice against his snobbishness, just as his pride about his high social status hampers his attempt to express his affection. As the above quote makes clear, he spends more time emphasizing her lower rank and unsuitability for marriage to him than he does complimenting her or pledging his . “He was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride,” the narrator states; Darcy must -prioritise love over his sense of superiority before he is worthy of Elizabeth’s hand.
He is responsible for so much: his sister, his family name, and his estate, Pemberley. Although seen as excessively proud in a negative way, Charlotte Lucas defends Darcy by saying that a man of his wealth and family background has a right to be proud.
(Insinuating that once pride is done away with) a character becomes much more favourable.
Analysis of the characterisation of Mr Darcy
How Pride is displayed as an unattractive quality, and how he is a better character without it.
Satirises other characters to mock pride.
Prejudice
Marriage
because the novel is also concerned with the effects of the character’s first impressions, that is their prejudice, Jane found the title Pride and Prejudice more appropriate.
Marriage
Pride and Prejudice: The Importance of Marriage
Pride and Prejudice is written by Jane Austen with the purpose of positioning us, as the readers, to share her attitudes on the importance of marriage. Austen had extremely radical views for her time. She believed that marriage should not occur on the grounds of superficial feelings, pressures to marry, or wealth and social status. The author believed that one should only marry for love. Austen uses characters as literary devices to show the readers the juxtapositioning between relationships who have married for love and relationships which have married for alternative reasons. By influencing the readers to believe that marriage should only be for love we begin to realize that it is this, and only this, which can enable the characters of the novel to be happy.
³It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife² (pg5). The first sentence of the novel Pride and Prejudice highlights the importance of marriage within the world of the novel. The sentence suggests that the sole purpose for marriage was to increase the characters social and financial ranking. The quote mentions nothing of love yet it provokes the feeling in the minds of the readers that the purpose of marriage is to merely create security. Finding a suitable marriage for the female characters who lived in a patriarchal society often became the solace of their lives. The character of Elizabeth Bennet does not fit this generalization.
Elizabeth Bennet is a literary device used by Jane Austen to represent her values and attitudes on the importance of marrying for love. We often see the world through Elizabeth¹s eyes and we are positioned to empathize with her opinion on the absurdity of marrying for reasons other than love. Elizabeth is a free-spirited individual who differs substantially from the other female characters of the novel. Elizabeth refuses to be wed to a man to whom she does not love. Elizabeth, although often guilty of prejudice attitudes, always acknowledges and learns from her mistakes. She is a heroine.
Mr Collins¹ introduction to Elizabeth is not a pleasant one although he is too ignorant to notice. Elizabeth finds Mr Collins ³a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man² (pg 115). Her observation is quite correct. Elizabeth¹s rejection of Mr Collin¹s marriage proposal was a revolutionary landmark in the context of the novel. Although rejecting a man who you do not love is a self-evident truth for us in todays society, in 1813, it was a far less obvious matter. Mr Collins was socially desirable, he would provide Elizabeth a home, respectability and long term stability for the Bennet family. However, on a personal level, Elizabeth realizes that Mr Collins would have brought her to insanity and that she could never love such a man. As the readers we are positioned to feel empathy towards Elizabeth. We are influenced to agree with her attitudes on marrying only for love and we realize that our heroines fate can never be happy until she has married for the correct purposes.
The marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth reveals the characteristics which constitutes a successful marriage. One of these characteristics is that love cannot be brought on by appearances, and must gradually develop between the two people as they get to know one another. Darcy¹s immediate opinion of Elizabeth is that she is ³tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me² (pg 13). Mr Darcy was not remotely attracted to Elizabeth and yet when he learns of her true personality he admits that ³My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you² (pg 157). From Darcy not being remotely tempted by Elizabeth he grows so passionate for her that he believes his love is strong enough to spend the rest of his life with her. This proves that he does not love her for his physical desires towards her but instead, he loves her for her personality. The relationship between the two characters reveals Austen¹s values on love not being centered around beauty or immediate attraction but rather, knowing the personality of your partner before you devote your life to them. Darcy and Elizabeth are amongst the few characters within the novel that marry for love. They are also among the few characters who find happiness. Austen represented her beliefs on the importance of marrying for love through Darcy and Elizabeth and uses the Darcy-Elizabeth relationship to prove to the audience that happiness in marriage can only be achieved if the couple feel love for one another.
Austen uses the relationships of Wickham and Lydia, Mr and Mrs Bennet and Charlotte and Mr Collins in juxtapositioning with the relationship of Darcy and Elizabeth. The most fatal of these marriages is between Wickham and Lydia. These two characters are literary devices used and manipulated by Austen merely to prove the outcomes of relationships which are not based on the grounds of love. The marriage between Wickham and Lydia was based on appearance and youthful ignorance. Lydia is naive and attractive, she is oblivious towards Wickhams inappropriate behavior. As a result of this their relationship rapidly fades away to the point where Lydia enjoys regular visits to her elder sisters homes and Wickham constantly visits London or Bath, alone. Austen suggests, without stating, that perhaps Wickham isn¹t the loyal husband that Lydia perceives him to be. The marriage between these two was on the grounds of superficial attraction and neither characters felt true love for one another. As a result of this, both characters appear to be somewhat miserable with their married life and constantly try to escape.
The marriage between Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins is a comical and yet devastating relationship. Mr Collins travels to the Bennets home with the purpose of taking home a wife. He first lays eyes on Jane Bennet and, when discovering that she is ³likely to be very soon engaged² (pg53), his attraction immediately turns towards Elizabeth. Having proposed and been rejected by Elizabeth, his self-image is not even remotely blemished and his attention is quickly transferred towards Charlotte Lucas. Only moments later Mr Collins announces the marriage of himself to Miss Lucas. This relationship is very symbolic. Mr Collins could not possibly be in love with Charlotte, for only a week before he had loved Elizabeth. Yet Austen demonstrates marriage for purposes other than love. Charlotte marries Collins in order to gain financial and social security. She feels pressurized to marry fast and feels as though Mr Collins is her only option. Mr Collins is an intolerable man and Charlotte often finds herself rather embarrassed to be married to such a person. The relationship between these two characters proves to the readers the outcomes of placing practicality before romance and although Charlotte appears to be able to endure Mr Collins, the readers realize that she will never have a life of complete happiness.
The marriage between the Mr and Mrs Bennet represents, very early on in the novel, Austen¹s opinion on the outcomes of marrying for incorrect reasons. These characters are literary devices who¹s purposes are to show the audience the fermenting anger, the loneliness and the insanity which can erupt between two people that are wed without love. Mr Bennet has a very witty sense of humor and often takes the mickey out of his wife. This is the only enjoyment he gains from Mrs Bennet. Mr Bennet marries Mrs Bennet on, what Austen beliefs to be, false grounds. Deficiencies which may have initially been attraction have now become flaws in the marriage. Mr Bennet was seduced by good looks and youth and the effect of this is that Mr Bennet isolates himself from his family, finding refuge in his library or through mocking his oblivious wife. This becomes his only happiness.
Jane Austen has positioned her audience so that we are influenced to agree with her attitudes on the importance of marrying for love. Austen has used her characters to express the issue of love. Such characters as Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas and Wickham and Lydia represent marriage for superficial purposes, which can never result in happiness. The juxtapositioned relationship between the characters of Darcy and Elizabeth show the audience that happiness in marriage can only be achieved if the couple both throw away immediate physical attractions and financial desires and marry for nothing else but true love.
