Views on Pride, Prejudice and Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

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Views on Pride, Prejudice and Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Pride

pride n., v., 1. high (or too high) opinion of one's own dignity,

importance, worth, etc. 2. the condition or feeling of being proud. 3.

a noble sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or

character; self respect; self esteem. prejudice n., v., 1. an opinion

In the novel by Jane Austen, displays a severe contrast between

Elizabeth and Darcy in the story. Jane Austen does this by discussing

the theme of pride throughout the novel. The concept of pride in this

book is defined as an excessively high opinion of one's own dignity,

importance and worth.

Throughout the novel, Jane Austen satirizes the manners of all

classes, exposing people who have excessive pride as rude and often

foolish, regardless of wealth or station.

While the term of pride pertains particularly to Mr. Darcy there are

other characters that portray this trait as well. Jane Austen has

depicted pride in her minor characters as a means of demonstrating its

importance as a theme of this novel.

Among the minor characters that Jane Austen uses to portray

unattractive pride is Mr Collins. Jane Austen used Mr. Collins as an

extreme example of how excessive pride can affect one's manner and be

a very unattractive quality. In Mr. Collin's case, he prides himself

on his sense of respectability, his profession, and his association

with Lady Catherine. Jane Austen shows through the voice of the

narrator that she disapproves of Mr. Collins, which is why she

satirises him.

' MR. Collins was not a sensible manâ?¦. A fortunate chance had

recommended him to lady Catherine d...

... middle of paper ...

...mily, finding refuge in his library

or through mocking his oblivious wife. This becomes his only

happiness.

Jane Austen has positioned her audience so that we are influenced to

agree with her attitudes on the importance of marrying for love.

Austen has used her characters to express the issue of love. Such

characters as Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas and Wickham and Lydia

represent marriage for superficial purposes, which can never result in

happiness. The juxtapositioned relationship between the characters of

Darcy and Elizabeth show the audience that happiness in marriage can

only be achieved if the couple both throw away immediate physical

attractions and financial desires and marry for nothing else but true

love.

Works Cited:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. R.W. Chapman. New York: Oxford UP, 1988.

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