Pride and Prejudice by Jane

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, first published in the early 1800s, expresses the author's belief that prejudice is the most fierce enemy in human relationships and pride is the ingredient that makes everything else go away.

Darcy Fitzwilliam, one of the main characters in the novel although good in his nature, is blinded by his infatuation with his social position and wealth. The fact that people around him seem to judge him according to his weight in gold does not seem to disturb him, but quite the opposite. His first appearance at Mr. Bingley's dinner produces at first sensation and admiration, soon to be followed by the public distaste with his proud and reserved manner: but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening (Austen, 6).

The second wave of public opinion was not only influenced by his "disagreeable countenance"(idem), but also because his friend, Mr. Bingley, who was also coming from a wealthy family and whose family tree was worthy of admiration and appreciation, was a character who made everyone fall in love with him at the first sight. He had a warm, friendly nature that made Mr. Darcy appear by contrast, repulsive.

Darcy Fitzwilliam will dismiss at first any contact with Elisabeth Benet, based on his poor judgment of her ordinary looks and his lack of social skills.

Jane Austen describes Darcy by putting him in contrast to his good friend, Mr. Bingley. Their friendship appears to be the result of opposites that attract each other. The gregariousness of Mr. Bingley, being in sharp contrast with the countenance and stiffness of his friend: Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness, ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy's regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence (Austen, 11).

While the first is allowed by his nature to enjoy life and people, the latter is frozen by his tendency to see the bad in people over anything else that might make them pleasant and a relationship with them agreeable.

A discussion between friends casts a light on the issue of pride, which appears to be Darcy's main enemy in his relationship with the society outside his most intimate acquaintances. Miss Lucas, one of the friends of the Bennet girls finds an excuse for Darcy's overflow of pride through his social status, fortune and image. Elisabeth agrees with her, but she also admits that her pride is even bigger than his and stands in the way of any chance of friendship between them.

Elisabeth Bennet is a very intelligent young woman, but her very brightness stands in her way of recognizing something good in a person like Darcy Fitzwilliam. She is unable to see that soon Darcy begins to give up on his pride and discover in her qualities that he could have not observe the first time they met:" of this she was perfectly unaware; -- to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable no where, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with" (Austen, 16). Her emotional intelligence is blocked by the first impression she kept unchanged, not willing to go beyond it any further.

The aftermath of Elisabeth's revelation regarding Darcy's intervention in saving her sister's reputation, is making her change her hart completely the feeling of pride is this time focused on quite opposite reasons. The positive in his character has finally taken over and convinced her that she was the one who was mistaken all along. She completely understands the wrong doing of her judgment and will soon start to hope that he will find the strength to overcome his pride of having been denied his marriage proposal.