Essay on Prejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice

Prejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice In any literary work the title and introduction make at least some allusion to the important events of the novel. With Pride and Prejudice, Austen takes this convention to the extreme, designing all of the first and some of the second half of the novel after the title and the first sentence. The concepts of pride, prejudice, and universally acknowledged truth (51), as well as the interpretation of those concepts, are the central focus of the novel. They dictate the actions of almost all the major characters (not just Darcy and Elizabeth), and foreshadow all of the major events in the novel, especially in the first few chapters, involving the first ball at Netherfield. While Darcy†¦show more content†¦Proud summarizes the general demeanor of Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself, as she looks upon the world down the length of her nose. Some time we shall be happy to hear [Elizabeth play], she informs Mr. Collins and Darcy. Then she adds, Our instrument is a capable one, probably s uperior to [Elizabeths] (199). Pride assures Elizabeth that her first impressions of Darcy are indisputable. Thus, while only Darcy seems to act as the embodiment of pride, the other characters are not immune to it. Just as the characters unknowingly follow Darcys example of pride, they commit Elizabeths crucial mistake, prejudging people (especially Darcy) according to horribly inadequate experience. Elizabeths positive judgement of Wickham and negative one of Darcy prevent her from seeing Wickhams devious and whimsical nature and Darcys honest efforts to improve despite the apparent lack of incentive. Like Elizabeth, the rest of the Bennets, and indeed the rest of those living in the vicinity of Meryton, believe Darcy to be a wholly disagreeable man. (In fact, he began as such, but even when he began to change, everyone refused to realize it, and maintained their dislike of him because of their previous judgements.) Mrs. Bennet is prejudiced against all other mothers with young daughters, believing them to be just as ambitious and scheming as she herself is. When told that Mrs. Long promised to introduce the Bennet sisters to Bingley, Mrs. Bennet hissesShow MoreRelated Pride and Prejudice Essa y: The Faults of Pride and Prejudice1751 Words   |  8 PagesThe Faults of Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If we investigate the themes, characters and setting of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice in an effort to find faults of logic, we must first recognize that the entire work is a fault of logic because Austens world is a microcosm of one level of society, a level wherein everything and everyone turns out kindly, whether they be heroes or villains, rich or poor, or proud or prejudice.   This is because unlike conventional romantic novels, like WutheringRead More Pride and Prejudice Essay3860 Words   |  16 PagesPride and Prejudice The novel Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen was originally to be called First Impressions. 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Elizabeth Bennet, the intelligent and good-natured heroine, is proposed to by two contrasting characters: Fitzwilliam Darcy and William Collins. Mr Darcy is a rich and powerful man, from a respected family, who eventually becomes the romantic hero of the novel. Mr Collins is the cousin of Elizabeth and a man of the church; he is to inherit The Bennet estate when Elizabeth’s father dies, unfortunately