Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen in 1813, is a novel that centers around the lives of the Bennett family and their interactions with the wealthy and snobbish elite of their society. The theme of pride and prejudice is prominent throughout the novel and is exemplified through the actions and behaviors of the characters.
One of the main characters, Mr. Darcy, is initially portrayed as prideful and aloof. He looks down upon those he considers beneath him, including the Bennett family, and refuses to dance with anyone other than those of his own class at the ball. However, as the novel progresses, Darcy begins to see the error of his ways and learns to let go of his pride. This is exemplified in his efforts to help the Bennett family, particularly when he helps to secure Mr. Bennett's brother-in-law a job and saves Lydia Bennett from a scandalous elopement.
Another character that embodies the theme of pride is Mr. Collins, a cousin of Mr. Bennett who is set to inherit the Bennett family's estate. Mr. Collins is extremely proud of his status as a clergyman and constantly belittles those he deems inferior to him. He is also prideful in his role as the future owner of the Bennett estate, and his actions towards the Bennett family reflect this.
On the other hand, the Bennett sisters, particularly Elizabeth and Jane, struggle with their own prejudices. Elizabeth initially judges Darcy based on his prideful demeanor and is unwilling to give him a chance. Similarly, Jane is quick to believe the best of everyone, including Mr. Bingley's scheming sister Caroline and Mr. Wickham, who turns out to be untrustworthy. As the novel progresses, both Elizabeth and Jane learn to let go of their prejudices and come to see the true nature of the people around them.
The theme of pride and prejudice is also exemplified through the societal expectations and pressure placed on the characters. The Bennett family, particularly the daughters, are constantly trying to marry into wealth and status, and the society they live in values these things above all else. This pressure to conform to societal expectations and the desire for wealth and status leads to the characters making poor decisions and acting in ways that go against their true nature.
In conclusion, the theme of pride and prejudice is prominent throughout Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. It is exemplified through the actions and behaviors of the characters, particularly Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins, and is also influenced by societal expectations and pressures. The novel ultimately portrays the dangers of allowing pride and prejudices to dictate one's actions and the importance of learning to let go of these biases.
