Whether the novel is basically concerned with the education with Elizabeth can be questioned as there are other major themes in the novel. These themes are love in reputation and class. The theme of love and reputation also largely revolves around the characters if Elizabeth and Darcy. The two main events relating to this theme is when Elizabeth firsts arrives at Netherfield and when Lydia runs away with Wickham. The first is largely concerned with Elizabeth and Darcy because while Miss Bingley exclaims at Elizabeth’s appearance,
‘“it [i.e. walking several miles alone and getting ‘above her ankles in dirt’] seems to me shrew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum.”’
Darcy for the first time sees her attractiveness
Struck by ‘the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion’
Also at this time Darcy finds himself showing too much interest in Elizabeth.
‘He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention’
The second event is also in a heightened point in the Elizabeth/Darcy relationship. During this period Darcy proves his final gracious act by saving Elizabeth’s family from shame by giving Wickham money to marry Lydia. At this point all veils of pride and prejudice are removed from Elizabeth’s eyes.
‘They owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, everything to him. Oh! how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him. For herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him.’
What these themes have in common is that they are major parts of the growing relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy.
Darcy is a major character that has issues with pride and prejudice so it can be questioned whether the novel is basically concerned with the education of Elizabeth. There are many reasons as to why the journey of Darcy is not as important. Initially Darcy’s pride and prejudice was the first to be mentioned but by chapter 6 he notices his liking towards Elizabeth whereas it takes until chapter 36 for Elizabeth to reach the same stage.
Secondly there is no great need for Darcy to overcome his pride and prejudice. Darcy is a man with no short fall of women and has wealth power and status to compensate.
‘“His pride,” said Miss Lucas “does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. Of I may so express it; he has a right to be proud.”’
Thirdly Darcy’s pride and prejudice was not a problem of his self, faults in these areas were influenced and made stronger by those around him whereas Elizabeth’s came from within. As a consequent of Elizabeth’s journey in overcoming her pride and prejudices one of the greatest loves and relationships was born. Even though the whole novel is about different loves and marriages, the love of Elizabeth and Darcy is a more interesting one as it is more complex and real. The marriage of Collins and Charlotte’s marriage of convenience, Bingley and Jane’s is simple, pretty and easy while the love of Elizabeth and Darcy was a journey, a journey that made the novel what it is.
Elizabeth had to go through such a journey because she was set in her ways and did not want to change. Elizabeth wanted to build on her extreme dislike for Darcy.
‘“the greatest misfortune of all!- to find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate- Do not wish me such an evil.””
This was demonstrated in her conversation with Wickham, asking probing questions trying to give her reason to build on her dislike for Darcy. After her conversation with Wickham Elizabeth becomes very rude to Darcy yet he is able to dismiss this
because “in his breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her”
She cares not to change her opinion on this until after Darcy’s proposal and the information that Wickham infact was the awful one.
‘Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love has been my folly.-Please with the preference of one, and offended and neglected of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and have driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.’
After this event the rest of the novel is the continuation of events leading toward the triumph over Elizabeth’s obstacles allowing herself to love Darcy.
“She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance”
This is what Elizabeth, the heroine’s, education was.
The witty, intelligent character of the heroine and the way her pride and prejudice stood in the way she made judgement of character was portrayed in the novel. The pride and prejudice that was held by Darcy was due to influence, fortune and status whereas Elizabeth’s came purely from within. While Darcy quickly grew to love Elizabeth, it took the latter longer and was only attained through numerous gracious acts of Darcy. Her educational journey in unveiling her pride and prejudice lasts the majority of the novel. Interesting themes such as reputation and class are brought out in the education of the young heroine. Although the novel is not solely concerned with the journey of Elizabeth, it is true that the novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is basically concerned with the education of a young heroine.
Bibliography
-
Austen.J , Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Books, London 1996.
-
Williams.M, Jane Austen: Six Novels and Their Methods. Macmillan, London 1986
-
Lambert. J, A Text Response Guide to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Wizard Books, Ballarat 1993
-
Curtis.T, Get Smart Study Guide: Pride and Prejudice. Science Press, Australia 1999
-
Handley.G, Brodies Notes on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, London 1990.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 7
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 36
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp21
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 89
