Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Freedom of the Mind Is Freedom From Prejudice: Personal Renewal From Jane Austen's Classic, Pride And Prejudice

For years, reading has been both a necessity and luxury for me. Reading, as a necessity, is an imperative for students like me who need to be constantly needed to be updated and knowledgeable about their chosen fields of expertise. Similarly, in times of leisure, reading provides me with new insights and discoveries about life, as expressed and 'seen' through the eyes of the author/writer. Moreover, reading has been a form of expression for me, where I am able to agree or disagree with the views of the writer. This active, yet indirect exercise I practice while reading allows me to freely assert or express myself in a healthy manner. Through the book, I am able to transport myself in a situation, which I have not encountered or experienced before; by 'internalizing' this experience, or situation, I am able to deal with life in the best way possible. In effect, reading poses as both my mirror (to another facet(s) of life) and educator.

This is manifested in my experience with the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is one of the most treasured books that I have with me at present; the classic feel, yet, realistic portrayal of the women characters in the novel is the most interesting and powerful aspect of the novel, crafted skillfully by Austen. I have been exposed to Austen's novel at the early age of 11, where a friend lent me the book as a form of 'adult reading,' to primarily familiarize myself with the 'classics.' However, my understanding of the novel was too shallow then, limited only to the romantic overtures of the two main couples in the novel, Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy. Furthermore, the novel's setting and social landscape as illustrated by Austen did not mean anything to me; much of my focus has been diverted to the characters and their affairs in life.

When I cam across Pride and Prejudice five years later, I have become more receptive and open-minded about the novel's message. Once, I though the novel was an endeavor towards providing a good romantic novel for the audience. As my understanding of social realities of the past, present, and future human societies widened, so have I became aware of the underlying importance of Austen's story not only to women, but also to human society in general. I realized that Elizabeth and Darcy's conflict is not just a simple romantic conflict, a form of a love-hate relationship. Instead, Elizabeth and Darcy represents all people that we interact with who may have prejudices against other people different from them. Just as Darcy had initially viewed Elizabeth lowly because of her social class, Elizabeth had also viewed Darcy as a snobby, rich man. Pride and Prejudice has helped me 'open' my eyes on the issue of social inequality in our society, how prejudices are perpetuated by people themselves, who have misunderstood or distorted understandings of other people.