In Pride and Prejudice, author
Jane Austen describes the Bennet sisters in their pursuit of marriage, particularly
of marrying wealthy men. Even the first line of the novel expresses that “It is
a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good
fortune, must be in want of a wife” (5). With pressure from their mother, Jane
and Elizabeth Bennet are expected to marry a man that will raise their status
in society, which is why Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy catch their attention initially.
There’s an important distinction of classes made between them and the Bennets towards
the beginning of the novel, as the Bingleys are considered “a respectable family
in the north of England” who “associated with people of rank” (17). While the
Bennets visited Netherfield, Darcy says that “In a country neighborhood you
move in a very confined and unvarying society” referring to the Bennets’ measly
upbringing (42). Austen also makes distinctions in the importance of status for
Mr. Bingley, the Bingley sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, and Darcy. Mr. Bingley pays
no mind to Jane’s status and is considered a proper gentleman; this is
contrasted to Darcy, who initially uses his status to justify his judgment and
is then humbled when he is originally rejected by Elizabeth. In another way, the
Bingley sisters lust after Darcy and act better than Elizabeth, yet do not win
Darcy’s attention; the older Bennet sisters act honestly and virtuously and are
rewarded with great marriages. In this way, Austen expresses the utmost importance
of kindness and the danger of pride.
While Pride and Prejudice initially
focuses on what physical things (land, beauty, money, etc.) are important when
it comes to choosing a reputable suitor, Austen reveals that the Bennets’
virtuous character and Bingley’s and Darcy’s kindness are the most attractive aspects
of them. Bingley from the beginning of the novel is described as “good looking
and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners”
(12). His open mind and kindness towards Jane are evident throughout the story,
and he is rewarded for his good nature with a happy marriage with Jane. While Elizabeth
is initially unimpressed with Darcy’s arrogant and judgmental personality, she eventually
experiences a “change of sentiment” after Darcy comforts her after hearing her sister
Lydia eloped; she realizes that “gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection”
towards Darcy (265). As Elizabeth and Darcy get married, it is evident that
Austen sees rank and status as unimportant; what is most important is to live
disinterestedly. Good people will be rewarded with marriages to good people,
which is more important than marriage to maintain a certain social status.
At the end of the novel, Austen does show that virtues are more important than status. This lesson is something she develops throughout the novel. Classism is present from the beginning of the novel and the characters use class when judging one another. In particular, Mr. Darcy is someone who bases his opinions of people purely on first impression, “His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped he would never come there again” (Austen 6). Mrs. Bennet strongly dislikes Darcy because she recognizes that he has a strong prejudice against her daughters because of their financial position. For this same reason. Lizzie despises Darcy. This changes over time as both Lizzie and Darcy recognize their original prejudices and grow to love each other. Lizzie begins to see the good in Darcy when he helps Lydia by paying off Wickham’s debts. When Lizzie expresses her gratitude towards Darcy for his generosity towards her sister, her true feelings are revealed. Darcy asks Lizzie if her feelings towards him have changed since his proposal, “[Elizabeth] gave him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances” (Austen 212). This is a turning point in the story because it shows both characters acknowledge that first impressions are not always accurate, and the reader sees them both overcome their prejudices and accept one another.
ReplyDeleteWhen Darcy and Bingley first move into Netherfield, their physical attractiveness and wealth intrigue the neighbors, with much talk about their status as eligible bachelors for the town’s daughters. Soon the neighbors discover Darcy to be arrogant and prideful, unlike his friend, Bingley. Darcy’s pride gets in the way when he realizes his developing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. However, Elizabeth Bennet is also shown to have her own prejudices, particularly when holding her initial judgement of Darcy against him. Austen shows that both characters have flaws that they need to overcome, more than overcoming the differences in status, to live disinterestedly and in a good marriage.
ReplyDeleteLizzie and Darcy are able to look past the difference of social class. When confronted by Lady Catherine, Lizzie replies that “if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you” (337). In order to even consider marrying Darcy, Lizzie needed to lose her prejudice towards him. She begins to do this when Darcy’s true character is revealed as he works to become less conceited and prideful. Later, Lizzie describes to her father with “repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy was really the object of her choice, by explaining the gradual change…had stood the test of many months suspense” (356). As Lizzie and Darcy grow closer, the improvements in their characters are rewarded and they enter into a good marriage together.