Pride and Prejudice Essay Example

Pride and Prejudice This novel by Jane Austen talks about the life of the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, and how she conducts herself in society. The author describes Elizabeth’s upbringing, her education and her marriage in the early part of the 19th century in England. The author has described the relationship between Elizabeth and her four siblings, and how they relate with the surrounding community in the town of Meryton, near London. The novel brings out themes of love, social class, male domination, reputation, courtships, journeys, and sibling rivalry. Social class has been clearly illustrated in the novel by the author, and the difference in social classes between characters has affected the manner in which they relate. For example, the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy has been affected by social class issues between the two characters (Austen 76).

Elizabeth Bennet is the second born in the Bennet household, and has been depicted by the author as being intelligent and quick. Elizabeth has many admirable qualities that make her stand out among her other siblings. She is clever, lovely, and engages in conversations with other people freely. She is also honest and lively which enables her to rise above the otherwise male dominated society. The novel has highlighted how Elizabeth and her true love, Darcy overcome all challenges and obstacles to get romantic happiness. Elizabeth copes with having a hopeless mother, a father that is distant and badly behaved sisters in order to succeed in having an affair with Darcy. Despite this challenges, Elizabeth’s charm and charisma makes Darcy retain his interest in her despite Elizabeth having initially rejected his marriage proposal. The social and familial turmoil that Elizabeth underwent initially makes her judge Darcy unfairly. However, she stops considering the social differences that exist between the two, and she later discovers that Darcy is of noble character despite hailing from a wealthy household (Austen 86).

Darcy, unlike Elizabeth who hails from a lower social class, hails from a rich family. The father is the owner and master of a large estate called Pemberly. However, this does not hinder him from being romantically involved with Elizabeth. Darcy is equally intelligent and straightforward, but their extreme wealth has given him pride and arrogance. He is initially proud; hence, his courtship to Elizabeth is not successful because Elizabeth does not approve of his pride. When Darcy is proposing to Elizabeth, he fails to dwell on her charm, charisma, beauty and intelligence. Instead, he prides himself with the fact that he is a more superior match to her than any man due to his wealth. As a result of this, Elizabeth rejects his marriage proposal (Austen 87).

This changes Darcy a great deal, as he later becomes humble and down-to-earth. Elizabeth’s rejection does not turn him away as he continues to be devoted to her. Darcy goes against the wishes and likes of his proud aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who discourages him to stop pursuing Elizabeth due to her low social connections. Later, Darcy goes against his distaste for low social class by helping the entire Bennet family from disgraceful acts. All these actions illustrate that regardless of the social difference that exists between these two love birds, they later realize that social class should not hinder romantic relationships. Elizabeth forgives Darcy for his earlier transgressions, and they get reunited again.

Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Minnesota: Bethany House, 2009.