Elizabeth and Darcy are the two predominant characters which the plot is based around. Eliazabeth is the second eldest, most intelligent and sensible daughter of the five Bennet girls. Elizabeth is well read and witty, with a sharp tongue. These chatacter traits allow Elizabeth to rise above the nonsence and bad behaviour that pervade her social society. Fitzwilliam Darcy is the son of a wealthy established family and is the master of the Pemberly estate. Darcy after meeting Elizabeth is dazzled by her charm and beauty chooses to pursues her. Elizabeth and Darcy are both clouded by pride and prejudice. Eventually these traits are overpowered by the love between the two characters.
Pride and Prejudice is set in the traditional aristocratic countryside of England, the village Longbourn in the post-Elizabethan era. The role of hierarchy, which is a result of the social status in Longbourn off sets the themes of pride and prejudice.
Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice in dialoge, through which her characters eventuate through as the narrative voice is secondary to the voices of the characters. Austen’s dialogue reveals characters negative traits, such as Mr. Collins’ long winded speeches hence showing his pompous attitude.
Love overpowers Darcy’s pride in social status, just as love overpowers Elizabeth’s prejudice. Jane Austen resolves the themes of Pride and Prejudice at its conclusion. Social class interfered with the workings of love. Darcy’s initial pride was provided from Elizabeth’s initial prejudice. Towards the ending Elizabeth’s prejudice fades and maturity develops, as do Darcy’s feelings in relation to each other. Darcy’s and Elizabeth's awareness of a mutual implies that Austen resolves love as a theme independent of social themes. Love can only be captured if an individual is able to escape the effects of the Pemberly and wider community’s hierarchy within society.
Themes are incorporated within the novel Pride and Prejudice, the most evident being love.
The love between Elizabeth and Darcy only eventuated after many obstacles had been overcome, where two other main themes are incorporated. Elizabeth’s pride makes her misjudge Darcy on the basis of a poor first impression, whereas Darcy’s prejudice against Elizabeths poor social standing blinds him for a period of time. Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s realisation of a mutual love implys that Austen views love as something independent from social hierarchies.
