Pride and Prejudice is one of the popular and audience’s favorite works written by Jane Austen. The novel’s title intrigues and forces the reader to solve the mystery of who of the heroes is full of pride and who of prejudice. The plot draws attention to how such qualities affect the characters and their storylines. Moreover, such traits as pride and prejudice usually are not manifested openly, and the fact that they are characteristic of the novel’s characters can find a response deep in people’s emotions. Although these are not the only topics that the book reveals, pride and prejudice permeate it and affect the plot development.
Pride is inherent in most of the characters in the book, but it has the most significant impact on the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Its manifestations from the first meeting prevent them from seeing and recognizing the good in each other. Elizabeth’s phrase evidences this fact: “I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine” (Austen 25). As a result, the characters form prejudices towards each other, which continue to divide them. The plot develops in such a way that the biases are destroyed, and the characters changed enough to abandon pride in favor of their happiness.
In parallel, these topics are intertwined with others in the novel. The formation of pride and prejudice is influenced by the characters’ financial situation, social status, and class. For example, Mr. Darcy separates Jane and Bingley because of suspecting one of the Bennet sisters to be a money hunter. Already formed prejudices affect love and the possibility of marriage for Jane and Bingley, for Darcy and Elizabeth. Moreover, these traits maintain principles, particularly Lizzie’s ones, which affect the relationship with the family. For example, when she refuses to marry Mr. Collins, and for her father, this is a reason for pride and for her mother – disappointment.
Thus, the title affects the perception of the book, and the themes of pride and prejudice significantly develop the plot. Situations are formed that the heroes understood and corrected their mistakes and questioned the principles. Gradually realizing that they, because of their pride and prejudice, impede their happiness, the characters become better as individuals. At the same time, the novel manages to reveal much more than the topics stated in the title and present to readers the issues of marriage, femininity, wealth, family, and love.
Reference
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. E-Books Directory, 1813. E-Books Directory. Web.