Critical Analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Critical Analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
In the novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austin, both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet have pride and prejudice. These characteristics will keep the two people apart. As the story progresses, they are forced to examine their hearts as well as their preconceptions.
We are first introduced to Darcy at a ball at Meryton. He was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust that turned the tide of his popularity. He is discovered to be arrogant and proud. He doesn’t speak or dance with anyone outside his own group. He says within Elizabeth’s hearing that she isn’t pretty enough to tempt him. His character also manifests prejudice towards those who are of lower class than him. Firstly he doesn’t even consider Elizabeth as a possible match for him because of her lower status. When he does fall in love with her and proposes, he asks un-courteously, stressing his superiority to her family. Secondly he intervenes with Bingley and Jane’s marriage only because he wants his friend to marry someone rich; not realizing the love that was there.
With Elizabeth, her prejudice is expressed against Darcy when she meets Wickham and hears his tales about Darcy that make Darcy look proud and cruel. She is very eager to believe his story without hearing another side. Darcy's pride has been obvious from his first appearance in the novel, but Elizabeth's decision to trust Wickham shows her prejudice. Elizabeth’s pride is brought forth when Darcy asks her to marry him. Besides being angry at the rude way in which he proposes, Elizabeth is astonished, for she was unaware of his affections towards her because she has been so prejudiced against him. His pride is unbearable to her and very proudly she takes pleasure in refusing him.
With the letter that Darcy gives Elizabeth justifying and explaining his actions with Wickham and Jane, Elizabeth comes to the realization that she has been blind and prejudice. Suddenly, she can’t remember anything that Darcy had done that wasn’t honorable. Her prejudice has been shaken and she can now fall in love.
As with Darcy, once Elizabeth turns his marriage proposal down with the remark that it was ungentlemanly, Darcy realizes just how arrogant he has been. He becomes more sensitive to how other people feel....