"Pride and Prejudice" and Character Traits

Paper Summary:

Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" is structured around the theme of pride vs. prejudice, with characters showing aspects of each of these traits in their behavior and in their personalities. The paper examines how both major and minor characters reflect issues of pride and instances of prejudice as common characteristics that shape their actions, usually without their being at all aware of it. The paper shows how the terms "pride" and "prejudice" contrast, particularly as essential characteristics of Darcy (the proud) and Elizabeth (the prejudiced) as they learn to overcome their natural inclinations sufficiently to come together. The paper demonstrates how Austen does not simply present these characters as representatives of these character traits as would be found in an allegory. What Austen shows is that the society of the time is so guided by issues of pride and prejudice that real human connections are rare and to be prized.

From the Paper:

"Elizabeth Bennett is the intelligent heroine of this novel, but she is as guilty of self-absorption as any of the other characters in the novel, including Darcy. She has superior intelligence, and while she believes this places her above the error of prejudice, it does not. She has good reasons for rejecting Darcy at their first meeting. First, she is reacting to the actions of Mr. Wickham. Second, she refuses because Mr. Darcy separated Jane and Bingley. Third, although she is flattered by Darcy's proposal, she refuses because as he proposes, he allows his pride to come to the fore and so tells her that it would be degrading to be connected with her family. Here is where pride and prejudice clash directly, for Elizabeth is influenced here by her prejudice, which prevents her from understanding the nature of Darcy's pride. Her prejudice only begins to crumble when he writes an earnest letter to her and confesses that he did interfere between Jane and Bingley. He also reiterates to her his belief that Wickham is a bad character, and by now she agrees. Her prejudice then begins to disintegrate. Darcy is no longer too proud to see Elizabeth as a good catch, and she is no longer too prejudiced to understand his feelings."

More papers on "Pride and Prejudice" and Character Traits:

• Book Review # 104252 : "Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
• Book Review # 102650 : "Pride and Prejudice" and the French Revolution"
• Analytical Essay # 68634 : "Pride and Prejudice and Feminism"

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