Abstract This paper considers the theme of pride in two literary works, the play "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov and the novel "The Stone Angel" by Margaret Laurence. Noting that theme of pride is common in literature, with pride being one of the seven deadly sins in the Christian conception and an example of a fatal flaw in the Greek view in classical literature. This paper then reviews how that theme of pride is seen in these two works in terms of the past, and the actions of individual characters.
From the Paper "The theme of pride is common in literature, with pride being one of the seven deadly sins in the Christian conception and an example of a fatal flaw in the Greek view in classical literature. This theme is treated differently by different authors and even in different types of literature. The theme is embodied in the play 'The Cherry Orchard' by Anton Chekhov in the way the characters are portrayed and in the attitudes they take toward their status in society, and it is treated by novelist Margaret Laurence in 'The Stone Angel' through her characters and the way they show pride to be both constructive and destructive..."
Abstract This paper discusses that even though Westerners consider Saudi Arabia to be a backwards and uncivilized country, the writer claims that their national pride is just as strong as Americans. It shows that the citizens will do just as much to protect their country and heritage as any one else.
From the Paper "There are many different beliefs, ideas, and customs that come from different people in the world. And, people from different countries such as Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia feel the same way about their countries as Americans feel about America. They honor the traditions, believe in their country as a whole, and fight anyone who wants to attack it. And, they will also obey the old and new customs of their land. So, when they have visitors they expect them to respect their old fashion customs when entering the country. "
Tags: Saudi, Arabia, country, pride, national, heritage, culture, America
Abstract This paper is a literary critique about the novel "Pride and Prejudice". It comments on the view of marriage as portrayed through the characters in the novel.
From the Paper "19th century England had serious social problems from the heyday of Royalty and Nobility. One of the most significant of these was the tendency to marry for money. A person sought a partner based on the dowry receivable and their allowance. This process went both ways: a beautiful woman might be able to snag a rich husband, or a charring and handsome man could woo a rich young girl. In these marriages, money was the only consideration. Love was left out, with the thought that it would develop as the years went by. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen comments that marriage in her time is a financial contract, where love is strictly a matter of chance. This is clearly evident from the very first line of the novel: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austen, 1). "
Abstract Emotion research can tell us much about how the child learns about emotion. This critical review of " Can Children Recognize Pride?" looks at the author's purpose, methodology, analysis, and conclusions. The paper also questions if the authors' conclusions seem credible.
Abstract This paper examines the role of women in 19th century England as presented in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The paper defines these roles as mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, housekeepers, matchmakers, imperious controllers, and practical acceptors of their lot. These women fit into the picture Austen paints of middle class social life in England at the beginning of the 19th century. The paper further suggests that Austen is poking fun at and mildly criticizing some of the ideas expressed about what women are and should be.
From the Paper "The role of the economy and its effects on women's roles is introduced from the very first lines of the novel. Austen says, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife...[and]...he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other" (Austen 1) of the daughters of the neighborhood. Economy and financial matters is an appropriate way to begin the novel because it addresses a central problem for the main characters and for women in general in the early 19th century. Ownership at the beginning of the 19th century was denied to women. According to The Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice, "titles and property usually passed along a male line. Women were usually left something in securities, but such inheritances were often pittances that would not comfortably provide for a woman. While women of the highest classes managed to keep more control of their money and thus of their lives, women of the gentry, with few acceptable job options, had to secure their livelihood by marrying a man of means" (Shepherd xii). The five daughters of the Bennett household are of marriageable or near marriageable age and they are highly motivated to marry because of their financial condition. The fact that their father's estate is entailed away on their nearest male relative, Mr. Collins, will make their situation desperate upon the death of their father. Women could not own property, so they fell under the protection of a father and then a husband. Certainly, poverty and homelessness is not a romantic reason for matrimony, but it is a strong practical inducement to wed."
Tags: Jane, Austen, Pride and Prejudice, literature
Abstract This paper describes the emotional and mental growth of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the protagonists in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The author traces not only the development of their relationship, but how both characters had to change in order to overcome their own vanity and be able to love another. The paper includes a plot summary which explores Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's transformation.
From the Paper " Elizabeth's dislike for Darcy is obviously grounded in his rejection of her soon after they first meet. Her vanity is hurt when she overhears him say that he would not dance with her because she is neither handsome nor interesting enough, and after that, she gradually grows more and more prejudiced against him until she lays as much guilt as possible on his account. Darcy on the other hand, is prejudiced against Elizabeth because of her family and her social inferiority but quite soon forms a very good opinion of her character. Both of their transformations begin after Darcy's first marriage proposal. Elizabeth indignantly refuses Darcy because she persuaded herself that he was the cause of her sister's separation from Bingley, and of all of Wickham's misfortunes. Darcy's honest confession of his own prejudice against her only enrages her more as she sees in them a token of his extreme vanity: "why [...] [did you choose] to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?"(Austen, 125) The confrontation brings to light all the hidden tensions between them, and the frustrations connected with their pride and their partial thinking. However, the letter that Elizabeth receives from Darcy the next day is the actual point where her transformation begins. She realizes how wrong she has been in her judgment of Darcy and how blinded by vanity, instead of being blinded by love: "She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd."(Austen, 129) The grounds of her preference for Wickham are now clearly revealed, as she herself realizes her prejudice against Darcy began with his rejection of her: "Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance..."(Austen, 130) The extent of the transformation that ensue is given by her realization that she had not known herself up to that moment, because she was completely blinded by her prejudice and her pride: "Till this moment I never knew myself."(Austen, 130) Step by step she tries to reconstruct her feelings for Wickham and the basis of her preference for him, but she discovers that she immediately believed the latter's false confessions only because she was ready to believe anything ill of the man who had humiliated her so on the night of the ball. Indeed, in her conversations with Wickham, Elizabeth was extremely superficial, appreciating him because of his pleasant manners and positive attitude towards her, and omitting any other considerations: "Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them."(Austen, 36) Elizabeth had been definitely wrong in her opinions of both Darcy and Wickham, but had been right about the other man who proposed to her, Mr. Collins. Her match with Collins would have helped the family's situation since he was supposed to inherit their property after Mr. Bennet's death, but Elizabeth dismisses the proposal immediately, being persuaded that neither of them would have been happy and that it would be a mistake: "You could not make _me_ happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could make you so."(Austen, 89) In this episode, Elizabeth is true to her own feelings and unprejudiced. She is witty as usual, but honest and she demonstrates that she believes in marrying for love. This version of Elizabeth can be identified in many other episodes, but in none where Darcy is also involved. Although she is not prejudiced, she is still proud however and refuses to marry Collins also because he emphasizes that he is doing her a favor, just as Darcy will do later. The ultimate stage of her transformation begins when she is at Pemberly, and she sees Darcy again with the knowledge that she has misjudged him terribly. Meanwhile, she had also found out that he had been the secret benefactor of Lydia and Wickham by giving Wickham enough money to persuade him to marry Elizabeth's sister. When the servant at Pemberly talks about Darcy's character and good temper and sets him in an amiable light, Elizabeth realizes even more her former blindness. The servant emphasizes that she does not know a woman good enough to marry Darcy, and Lizzy begins to see Darcy for what he is: "I do not know who is good enough for him."(Austen, 178) The previous tensions between them which were created by their vanity, like in the episode of the ball when Darcy refuses to dance with Lizzy or that at Netherfield, when she refuses to dance with him, are transformed into a deep embarrassment in their meeting at Pemberly. Once they have put aside their vanities and prejudices, they can begin to like each other. Thus, Elizabeth and Darcy undergo important transformations in the novel, and learn how to put aside pride and prepossession when they judge other people. The greatest gain is the fact that they learn to love each other instead of loving only their own selves."
Tags: Jane, Austen, Pride, and, Prejudice, Victorian, literature
Abstract 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."
Abstract This paper examines the premise of pride and prejudice in relation to the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". The author points out that the public behaviors of Darcy's pride makes him appear to be an arrogant and self-serving young man. The paper relates that his behaviors are not driven by mere vanity but by a true desire to associate with only the most moral and noble of persons. The author underscores that Elizabeth holds a prejudice against Darcy's public image and must invariably undergo an evolutionary change to realize Darcy's private moral and upstanding convictions. The paper concludes that, when Elizabeth realizes that Darcy is prideful, gruff and impersonal to people who are immoral and vice-prone, she understands that this is a form of pride upon which to form a marriage.
From the Paper "When Elizabeth hears of this private side of Darcy's personality, she is astonished to realize that he does not behave proudly out of mere arrogance, but out of his own conviction for just actions and moral fortitude. This also forces Elizabeth to reconsider her rejection of Darcy first marriage proposal, but the issue of pride in Darcy's attitudes is not founded on vanity; which also provides more evidence for Elizabeth to consider accepting Darcy if he should propose marriage to her again."
Tags: arrogant, public behaviors, moral, marriage proposal, rejection
Abstract This paper explains that Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" is structured around aspects of pride versus prejudice. The author points out that most of the characters depict these traits in their behaviors and their personalities as seen in proud Darcy and prejudiced Elizabeth. The paper concludes that this book is really about love because, in the end, the reigning aspect of love is able to ultimately dominate and dissolve any form of pride or prejudice previously existing in Austen's characters.
From the Paper "The initial meeting of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy at the Meryton Ball overall establishes this theme of pride versus prejudice in the novel. Mr. Bingley, having already been interested in Jane Bennet, suggests to Mr. Darcy that he ask Lizzie to dance. Mr. Darcy's initial reaction to Bingley's offer reflects his opinion of the lower class of society, and his assurance that he is well above and beyond socially inferior women such as Lizzie."
Abstract This paper examines the interrelated issues of civic pride and identity and the challenges of retaining big league sports teams in Canadian cities. The paper argues that the sources of civic pride are changing, such that hockey is no longer the chief or only source of a sense of civic pride and identity in Canadian cities. Moreover, the paper argues that this is a good thing, as hockey has become increasingly commercialized and public money should not end up in the private pockets of franchise holders.
From the Paper "Fortunately, as we have seen, civic identity and pride is no longer tied exclusively to hockey in Canada. People have grown up and moved on. This is a good thing, as hockey at the same time has morphed into a big-money sport that makes only a very few people richer - mainly just the franchise owners. It is untenable and unconscionable for people to be denied food, healthcare and housing, while taxpayers' money is poured into the pockets of already wealthy franchise owners. This will mean that more Canadian cities will see the departure of their teams to the big, wealthy cities of the USA's sunshine belt. It seems that Canadians will simply have to root their civic pride and identity in benefits for all, and learn to watch the games from afar. Fortunately, most of us have television!"
Tags: franchise, identity, league, commercialization
Abstract In this paper, the issue of pride in the play "Medea" is discussed. This theory of pride is the reason Medea kills her children is then applied to the Lemak murder trial and Keyser Soze in "The Usual Suspects".
From the Paper "The phenomenon of parents killing their children is an old concept. No matter how far back in time this phenomenon occurred, it was at least known of at the time of Euripides when he wrote, Medea. In this play, a woman, Medea, kills her children as a way to get back at her cheating husband, Jason. There are many factors involved in her decision to do this act of unspeakable brutality, and her own sense of pride is high on this list. In fact, pride seems to be the primary reason. This sense of over-pride that pushes one too far in their actions can, and for this paper, will be called the Medea Complex. This complex is alive and well in society, surfacing most notably in the case of Marilyn Lemak, who killed her three young children after her husband had pushed her too far in her eyes. The Medea Complex is at work in this real-life case, but is also shown in the movie The Usual Suspects."
Abstract This paper looks at whether or not the title "Pride and Prejudice," that the author, Jane Austen gave to her book, correctly reflects the themes detailed in the book. The author looks at all the characters, main and secondary, in order to evaluate their roles and connections to the theme of pride and prejudice.
From the Paper "The majority of the other characters in "Pride and Prejudice" are guided and blinded by their pride and prejudice. Two prime examples are Sir Lucas, the Bennet's neighbor and Mr. Collins, the Bennet's cousin who will inherit Mr. Bennet's fortune. Sir Lucas was too proud to work anymore like the rest of the people on earth. Austen describes this fact when she tells of Sir Lucas quitting his job and then removing ?...his family to a house about a mile from Meryton... where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world.? The fact that Sir Lucas quit his job, where he could gain respect by performing a vital function in society, so that he could spend his time faking kindness to get respect shows how during that time appearances were everything."
Tags: austen, bennet, darcy, jane, title, wealth, independence, society
An analysis of pride as a theme that is written about with great fervor in Greek literature, with specific reference to "Oedipus the King", "The Odyssey" and Aristotle's "Poetics."
Abstract The following paper draws upon the similarity between "Oedipus the King," "The Odyssey" and Aristotle's "Poetics" in terms of how pride dictates the characters actions. However, there are differences in how the theme of pride is played out in each story. According to the author this is because the different styles in which these two works are written use different devices, aesthetic qualities and temporal movements to develop this theme.
From the Paper "Both Odysseus and Oedipus posses a multitude of traits, but pride is the most prevalent, as well as the most dictatorial, because it seems to be the touchstone for all the action, as well as the element that pushes both stories forward. Oedipus's pride is demonstrated in the beginning of the play where he states, "I, Oedipus, whose name is known afar."(25). This is reinforced by the priest's replies of, "Oedipus great and glorious,"(26) and, "O greatest of men."(26). Odysseus, on the other hand, allows his pride to get in the way when he yells out his true identity to Polyphemus. And by injuring Polyphemus, Odysseus incurred the wrath of Poseidon, Polyphemus' father (160-162). Yet, even though these are both instances of pride within the respective characters, they play out diiferently."
Abstract This paper discusses how since its publication in 1813, literary critics have praised Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". It reviews two of these critiques, one being Austin's narrow artistry in David Monaghan's essay, "Pride and Prejudice: Structure and Social Vision" which states that Austin's work is that of a well made structure which is meant to convey nothing more than the courtship ritual of Regency England. The other is the varying interpretation as represented in an introductory essay to the novel written by Tony Tanner for the Greenwich House Classics edition which admits that it is timeless and unlimited in its presentation of astute themes and truths that stand the test of time.
From the Paper "Pride and Prejudice, is certainly a book structured around a limited social vision as Monaghan demonstrates. Yet, as Tanner points out, this book is about something more timeless than the search for a profitable marriage partner in the early nineteenth century. It is about the search for self, a search that is not only timeless, but one that can take place in any setting small or great. Austen, through her ironical tone, can be interpreted as saying that no part of society is too small to reveal the whole. Thus, even though the novel "unmistakably reflects a certain kind of society at a certain historical moment," there is also "an element of timelessness" (Tanner 397). In offering a satiric study of a class-conscious society in 18th-century England, and centering on the romantic love story of Elizabeth and Darcy, this novel does exemplify the narrow range of Jane Austen's work."
Tags: courtship, love, elizabeth, darcy, england, society
Abstract This paper reviews Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" with an emphasis on how the element of mystery in it serves to give depth and development to the characters. It examines how the related mysteries of "Pride and Prejudice" are the Wickham-Darcy relationship and the "mystery of character." It is no mystery from the beginning that Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy are fated to be together, the mystery is their feelings and motivations and their characters, as they evolve and are revealed throughout the novel. It shows how, like many a mystery novelist, Austen leaves ample clues from which the reader could discern that all is not what it seems, which seem obvious only on a second reading.
From the Paper "There are two central and intertwined mysteries in the novel: the traditional mystery of Wickham's relationship to Darcy, and the more subtle mystery of Darcy's (and Elizabeth?s) true character. The author's treatment of the Wickham mystery is not that of the conventional mystery story, as a modern reader might understand it. The clues Austen gives are not material to the direct verification of one side's or the other's story, but to the respectability and trustworthiness of Wickham and Darcy. We are not given, for example, accounts of Wickham's behavior in London while he is pretending to study law. It is only through an understanding of the two men's characters that we discover the truth of their relationship."
