essay about class in pride and prejudice

Class and Society in “Pride and Prejudice”: Unveiling the Rigid Social Hierarchy

• 13 August 2023

Introduction:

Jane Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” offers a vivid depiction of the rigid social hierarchy that dominated Regency-era England. Set against the backdrop of a stratified society, the novel delves into the complexities of class dynamics and explores the impact of social status on individuals’ lives and relationships. This essay aims to unveil the rigid social hierarchy depicted in “Pride and Prejudice,” examining how it shapes the characters’ actions, motivations, and interactions, ultimately reflecting the injustices and limitations imposed by class distinctions.

The Hierarchical Structure:

“Pride and Prejudice” portrays a society firmly entrenched in a hierarchical structure, where social standing is determined by birth, wealth, and connections. The novel emphasizes the significance of the landed gentry, those with inherited estates and titles, who occupy the highest rungs of the social ladder. Characters like Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh represent this privileged class and enjoy the associated respect, influence, and privileges.

Beneath the landed gentry are the professional and merchant classes, such as the Bennet family, who belong to the lower gentry. Their social status is compromised by their lack of significant wealth and connections, rendering them subject to scrutiny and condescension from those of higher rank. The servant class, comprising individuals like the housekeepers and footmen, exists at the bottom of the social hierarchy, often invisible and marginalized.

The Impact of Class on Relationships:

In “Pride and Prejudice,” social class exerts a profound influence on relationships and marriage prospects. The upper-class characters, driven by societal expectations and the need to maintain their social standing, are often constrained in their choices of suitable partners. Marriage is regarded as a means of consolidating wealth, acquiring connections, and preserving the family’s social status. This utilitarian view of marriage undermines the importance of genuine affection and compatibility.

Elizabeth Bennet’s relationship with Mr. Darcy provides a poignant example of how class influences interactions and perceptions. Initially, Elizabeth’s prejudice against Mr. Darcy is fueled by his perceived arrogance and superiority, accentuated by his elevated social position. Elizabeth’s lower social standing, although belonging to the gentry, subjects her to Mr. Darcy’s initial condescension. However, as the story unfolds, both characters overcome their prejudices and recognize the strength of their emotional connection, transcending the constraints of class.

Class Prejudice and Social Mobility:

“Pride and Prejudice” also addresses the prejudices and preconceived notions associated with different social classes. The characters frequently display class-based biases, with the upper-class characters looking down upon those of lower rank. Elizabeth’s family, although belonging to the gentry, is considered socially inferior due to their lack of wealth and connections. This class prejudice serves as a barrier to their acceptance by the upper echelons of society.

The novel highlights the limited opportunities for social mobility during this era. Characters like Mr. Collins, who eagerly seeks connections with the upper class, and Mrs. Bennet, who dreams of marrying her daughters into wealth, epitomize the desire for upward social mobility. However, Austen also critiques the shallowness and absurdity of this pursuit, highlighting the importance of integrity and genuine human connection over material wealth and social status.

Challenging the Social Hierarchy:

While “Pride and Prejudice” presents a society deeply entrenched in class distinctions, it also challenges the rigidity of the social hierarchy. Elizabeth Bennet emerges as a protagonist who challenges societal norms and expectations. Her refusal to conform to societal pressures and marry for financial gain or social advancement demonstrates her independent spirit and rejection of the inherent injustices of the class system.

Elizabeth’s relationship with Mr. Darcy serves as a catalyst for personal growth and challenges the notion that social class determines one’s worth. Through their journey, Austen underscores the importance of character, values, and emotional connection in forming lasting relationships, transcending the confines of social class.

Conclusion:

“Pride and Prejudice” offers a penetrating exploration of the rigid social hierarchy that governed Regency-era England. The novel sheds light on the injustices, biases, and limitations imposed by class distinctions. Austen’s portrayal of the impact of social status on relationships and individual lives underscores the importance of questioning and challenging societal norms.

While the characters in “Pride and Prejudice” navigate the complexities of class and society, the novel ultimately advocates for the recognition of inherent human worth beyond superficial societal markers. It serves as a timeless critique of the injustices and biases perpetuated by rigid social hierarchies and a reminder of the importance of genuine human connection, irrespective of class. Through her nuanced exploration of class dynamics, Austen invites readers to reflect on the enduring relevance of these issues in contemporary society.

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Related articles, the role of women in regency society: gender expectations in “pride and prejudice”, character analysis in “pride and prejudice”: exploring the complexities of elizabeth bennet and mr. darcy.

British Class System in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Introduction

Reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is not only a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most amazing love stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. In addition, it is a solid lesson about how people developed their relationships within the British class system in the 19 th century. The author relied on her personal experience, observations, and social background to evaluate the importance of power, wealth, marriage, and feelings. On the one hand, it is correct to expect people to behave in a particular way, depending on their classes and intelligence levels. On the other hand, Austen’s work demonstrates that the representatives of the same class and family might prefer different communication styles and manners. Therefore, this novel can be used to examine the peculiarities of the British class system and understand how the decisions made by characters and the outcomes of their choices affected 19 th -century society. Addressing the conditions under which Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice , including social and cultural development and the economic situation, the distinction between lower, middle, and upper classes was made to prove its impact on interpersonal relationships, family issues, and power distribution.

Book Summary

Austen’s novel touches upon a variety of significant topics and describes the relationships of people with different social statuses, family ties, and attitudes. The main characters, Darcy and Elizabeth, have to deal with their hidden emotions, personal responsibilities, and social expectations. According to Mary Bennet, pride is “a very common failing,” and “human nature is particularly prone to it,” so “there are few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency” (Austen, 1882, p. 15). In other words, being raised under similar conditions, people are free to develop their own understandings of pride by finding excusing, making fast conclusions, or feeding their prejudice. The relationships between a daughter of a landed gentlemen and an arrogant aristocrat are never simple due to the inability to admit personal mistakes or ask for help.

In addition to their challenges and complex, loving affairs, many other characters try to find their happiness or achieve success. For example, despite their belonging to the middle class, Mr. Bingley continues living with considerable doubts and dependence on other people’s opinions, while his sister is obsessed with power and control. Even Bennet’s sisters have different interests and fates that go significantly far from their mother’s example and impact. Austen adds more characters that reveal the differences between classes, including Lady Catherine de Bourgh, a rich landowner, Mr. Collins, a clergyman, and Charlotte Lucas, a regency woman who uses marriage for security. Each person plays an important role in the story because the reader can compare the representatives of the same class and see that wealth and power are not as critical as personal qualities and moral beliefs.

Historical Background

Jane Austen did not live a long life, but her knowledge and emotions were enough to create several powerful works in the style of literary realism. The woman worked in rural England between the late 1970s and the early 1800s, which were characterized by the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, and the Georgian reign (Sharma, 2018). Although Austen did not pay much attention to the development of those events, their impact on the creation of Pride and Prejudice cannot be neglected. She belonged to the middle class, which helped her observe people, their behaviors, and communication and understand the roots of a rising spirit (Tamrin, 2018). The rebellious nature of Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy’s desire to control everything and everyone, and Mrs. Bennet’s concerns about her daughters’ futures are the elements of social and economic changes in society during the 19th century.

Society and Cultural Development

Social expectations and cultural beliefs shaped interpersonal relationships at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. The progress of industrial society and the overall impact of industrialization changed the domestic industry and revealed common challenges and opportunities (Sharma, 2018). On the one hand, there was a group of powerful bourgeois based on aristocratic culture and pride obtained during the last several decades. On the other hand, social beliefs and attitudes between men and women were improved because it was possible to assess the current social ranks and eradicate financial exclusion (Sharma, 2018). Thus, Austen wanted to show the reader how contemporary social biases were broken.

Economic Situation

The evaluation of the economic situation at the beginning of the 19th century, on the contrary, proves the inequality and the inability to change something. De Bustillo Llorente (2022) admits that more than 2/3 of families belonged to the working class, while the bourgeoisie constituted only 8%, and 16% belonged to the lower middle class (as shown in Figure 1). Therefore, it is correct to say that regardless of their classes, women felt economically useless at home due to decreased responsibilities (Sharma, 2018). In other words, it was no longer necessary for women to strive for independence or employment but use marriage and male support as the only source of successful living. In Austen’s novel, several characters, including Charlotte Lucas and Lydia Bennet, want to obtain economic security via marriage.

Class Distinction

In Austen’s Pride and Prejudice , class determination is based on the current social situation, characters’ attitudes toward the existing differences, and personal judgments. For example, Elizabeth does not take seriously social evaluations offered by Miss Bingley and considers them “vain and useless” if people are “already self-destined for another” (Austen, 1882, p. 72). On the contrary, Mr. Collins pays much attention to the social superiority of Lady Catherine. He underlines that the woman “will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed” because “she likes to have the distinction of rank preserved” (Austen, 1882, pp. 137-138). The system of the upper, middle, and lower classes existed in the 19 th century (Tiwari, 2018). Still, the novel proves that human lives and future relationships depend on how people treat their differences.

Upper Class

Such characters as Darcy and his sister, Georgiana, or Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter, Anne, represent the upper class. In simple words, this class consisted of rich people and statesmen who owned land and could support the representatives of other classes. Mr. Collins shares his best hopes and pride for being under the patronage of Lady Catherine due to “her high rank” (Austen, 1882, p. 59). Mr. Wickham thinks about her as “dictatorial and insolent” and “her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride” (Austen, 1882, 72). In both descriptions, class becomes a critical element, proving the power of money and social status.

Darcy’s prejudice based on social inequalities is one of the core themes in the novel. When the reader meets Darcy for the first time, he looks “arrogant and pompous” and follows the 3Rs code of conduct, meaning restraint, refinement, and religion (Tamrin, 2018, p. 215). With time, the man cannot manage his feelings and love for Elizabeth. His words are full of admiration and, at the same time, the inability to neglect the differences. Austen (1882) underlines, “he spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed… his sense of her inferiority, of its being a degradation, of the family obstacles” (162). This example allows examining the system, with all its official characteristics and emotional aspects, and understanding how social differences affect people.

Middle Class

The middle and upper classes’ line was unclear because of the abilities and lifestyles people preferred in the 19th century. For example, one could say that Mr. Bennet belongs to the upper class because he is a landowner with “an estate of two thousand a year” (Austen, 1882, p. 22). However, he does not have male heirs, and he marries Mrs. Bennet, the attorney’s daughter, with the estate of four thousand pounds, which is beneath his status. Compared to his wife, Mr. Bennet is aware of honest and noble behavior, and Elizabeth defines him as a gentleman, which makes her equal to Darcy (Austen, 1882, p. 304). Middle-class individuals get the right to socialize with upper-class representatives, relying on their education and family connections.

Similar controversies in defining class belonging may be observed in analyzing Mr. Bingley or Mr. Collins, although these characters are quite different. Mrs. Bingley describes him as “a fine thing for our girls” with “a large fortune; four or five thousand a year” (Austen, 1882, p. 2). While Mr. Bingley is not confident in his feelings and abilities, proving humility is the best way to “disarm reproof,” according to Elizabeth (Austen, 1882, p. 40). Darcey, in his turn, underlines that “nothing is more deceitful… than the appearance of humility” (Austen, 1882, p. 40). All these discussions do not allow the reader to determine Mr. Bingley into a particular class, making him more like the middle class. Mr. Collins, on the other hand, does not have a great estate but relies on his relationship with Lady Catherine and demonstrates his high expectations and snobbish manners.

Lower Class

It seems that Austen does not want to pay much attention to lower-class representatives, their rights, and opportunities to avoid the opinions about her as a classist. The life of people with low or no income is not described in the novel, which might say they are happy with the offered conditions and their statuses. As a rule, servants are responsible for cleaning the house, delivering mail, informing guests, and serving tables (Austen, 1882). Their goal is to do all the necessary physical work, giving more time and space for middle-class and upper-class individuals to develop their relationships, solve their problems, and manage their lives. There areshop workers and couriers who fulfill the author’s unintentional emptiness, but no pride or prejudice towards them is observed.

Impact of Classes on Interpersonal Relationships

Today, the impact of class systems has gained a new meaning compared to the one developed in Pride and Prejudice. Modern people are divided into those who care about their financial statuses, choose an education, and develop their skills in preferred spheres. In the 19th century, there were few opportunities to gain the wanted status, and it was necessary to rely on family relationships, establish connections, marry the right person, and meet social expectations. Elizabeth belonged to the middle class as the author did. Her love for Darcy was not related to his status, but her prejudice depended on that factor. Class differences were visible in the 19th century and explained the characters’ manners, anxieties, and fluctuations (Tiwari, 2018). The concept of a gentleman was beyond the class differences because Austen focused on male behaviors, words, and actions to prove the characters’ nobility and status (Tamrin, 2018). Therefore, the number of middle-class characters and their assessments of upper-class individuals vary, proving the complex nature of the system and wealth.

The book Pride and Prejudice contributes to a solid examination of the British class system in the 19 th century. Austen did not cover all social changes and political or economic shifts that affected families. However, cultural beliefs and personal issues were strong enough to explain the distinction between lower, middle, and upper classes and show how people developed relationships and used power sources. Although there are no doubts about the belonging of some characters like Darcy, Elizabeth, and Lady Catherine to a particular group, the distribution of qualities and wealth remains ambiguous for Mr. Bingley, Mr. Bennet, or Mr. Collins. Instead of believing in social statuses, education levels, and family ties, Austen underlines the human factor and the impact of feelings and self-determination in society. Thus, Pride and Prejudice proves the existence of the class system in 19th-century Britain and gives a chance to change the inevitability through addressing honesty, respect, and love.

Austen, J. (1882). Pride and prejudice . Richard Bentley & Son.

De Bustillo Llorente, R. M. (2022). Social classes in economic analysis. A brief historical account . Web.

Sharma, I. (2018). Reflection of Georgian society in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 9 (1), 96-102.

Tamrin, A. F. (2018). The reflection of regency gentleman in Pride and Prejudice and Emma by Jane Austen. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 5 (2), 212-218.

Tiwari, R. (2018). Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: Class and society, marriage and women. Journal of Rajasthan Association for Studies in English , 14 , 72-84.

Themes and Analysis

Pride and prejudice, by jane austen.

A literary work, such as 'Pride and Prejudice', can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on the mood, prior knowledge, level of understanding, and perspective of the reader.

Article written by Mizpah Albert

M.A. in English Literature and a Ph.D. in English Language Teaching.

The analysis here is an example, covering major elements of theme, setting, style, tone, and figurative language. 

Pride and Prejudice Themes

Themes are commonly the central ideas of any piece of literature. They are developed in various ways and characters. Written from the perspective of Elizabeth, the novel explores a number of themes , such as love, marriage, pride, prejudice, class, reputation, and many others.

As the title of the novel suggests, both pride and prejudice play a vital role in the novel. Pride is pronounced through the character of Darcy and prejudice is highlighted through Elizabeth. Darcy acts snobbishly during his first meeting with Elizabeth that eventually makes her hate him. His pride blinds him to the good qualities of Elizabeth, and her prejudice blinds her to see through his outward nature. It takes time for them to realize and evolve out of their pride and prejudice. Besides, Elizabeth, Darcy too out of his pride is exposed to prejudice over the people below his social class and economical status.

Other characters who exhibit pride in the novel are Catherine De Bough and Miss Catherine Bingley.

Love and Marriage

In Pride and Prejudice , Love and Marriage go hand in hand. Especially, it specifies the love and marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth , who strongly believes in marrying for love than anything. As the opening line of the novel suggests, It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife marriage was the major concern of Austen time. That is what would have inspired her to focus on love and marriage in Pride and Prejudice and in her other novels too.

True love, the leads to the happy union of the characters despite all adversity is portrayed through the couples, Darcy and Elizabeth, and Jane and Charles Bingley.  At the same time, the novel also exposes the marriages that happened solely for the purpose of independence, reputation, and financial security, as in the case of Charlotte Lucas and Lydia Bennet. 

Class plays unmistakably a significant role in the novel. The novel draws a clear line between the rich and poor. The theme is employed to foster Austen’s distaste over the society in general.

She makes it clear that people like Lady Catherine, due to their pride in social class act rudely, even in their regular conversation, and forever guilty of mistreating other people. The characters like Mr. Collins and Caroline are defined completely by the dictations of the class system. In contrast to them, Jane Austen produces more positive examples in Bingley and the Gardiners. Through Darcy’s character, she has enumerated class as a force that drives people to have virtue and decency, comparing the situation to the careless behavior of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters.

Darcy is presented as an epitome of an ideal high-class gentleman. Though, he seems to be arrogant and selfish in the beginning, over a period of time, his prejudiced opinion on the lower class changes, when he is exposed to the ideal qualities of Elizabeth. Austen strongly conveys her ideology that class does not determine one’s character, at the same time through love one can overcome all obstacles, including class.

Some of the other themes, one finds in Pride and Prejudice include integrity, family, reputation, etc.

Analysis of Key Moments in Pride and Prejudice

• Bingley arrives at Netherfield along with his sisters and Darcy.
• Darcy insults Elizabeth at the Meryton Ball while Bingley is attracted to Jane
• For the first time in the party arranged by Sir William Lucas, Darcy makes a positive observation on Elizabeth’s fine eyes, after Elizabeth turns down his request for a dance.
• When Jane is sick, Elizabeth arrives at Netherfield to take care of her sister. Positively, Darcy gets to see more of her, which he finds as a danger.
• Collins arrives at Longbourn to choose a wife for him amongst the Bennet sisters. But, he ends up marrying Charlotte Lucas.
• Meanwhile, Elizabeth gets acquainted with Wickham, who tells her the story of him being treated arrogantly.
• Bingley leaves Netherfield uninformed. Desolated Jane goes with the Gardiners to London with the hope of meeting Bingley only to be disappointed.  
• Elizabeth comes to know of Darcy’s involvement in the separation between Jane and Bingley. She vents out her anger and accuses him of spoiling the life of Wickham and her dear sister’s happiness.
• Despondent, Darcy explains the reasons for his actions in a letter to Elizabeth, which softens her feelings towards Darcy but he leaves Rosings to know her reversal of feelings.
• During her visit to the Gardiners, Elizabeth meets Darcy in his Pemberley estate, but her happiness short-lived when she receives a message about Lydia’s elopement with Wickham.
• Elizabeth comes to know of Darcy’s painstaking effort in saving Lydia’s reputation in marriage with Wickham.
• Soon, Bingley proposes to Jane and engaged.
• Infuriated by Elizabeth, Lady Catherine warns Darcy, who regaining hopes proposes to Elizabeth again, who accepts happily.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language

Pride and Prejudice, on the whole, employed with irony and wit. Austen through the speeches of various characters employed irony that draws a clear line between what is being said and what the readers interpret about the reality of the situation. For example, when Mr. Collins confidently tells Elizabeth that “I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long,” the reader knows about Elizabeth’s feelings that are direct opposite what he expects.

The tone of Pride and Prejudice , despite it being romance is ironic towards various characters and events in the novel. The ironical is employed to demonstrate the foolishness of characters, the attitude of pretensions social class, and the criticism on gender roles.

Austen exaggerated situations and phrases, also used comparisons to satirize some of the ridiculous courting rituals of her time. Jane Austen’s use of irony, which is common in her novel is highlighted in the novel. She has employed all forms of irony namely: verbal, thematic, situational, and dramatic.

Use of Symbols

One of the prominent symbols in Pride and Prejudice is dancing. An Austen detail on a couple’s compatibility through dancing that symbolizes the level of their relationship. When Elizabeth and Darcy dance together the first time, their steps are stilted and formal, similar to the indifference and formality they had in their relationship at that point. Likewise, when Elizabeth and  Mr. Collins danced, he missteps, grovels, and embarrasses in front of her friends and family, similar to the awkward situation of him proposing to be rejected by Elizabeth. At the same time, Jane and Bingley 4times on a single night, reveals how happy and comfortable they were together.

‘Outdoors’ in the novel has come to symbolize openness and understanding. Many knots in the story are loosened in the outdoor settings in the story. Darcy proposes both the times when they were in the outdoor settings. In contrast, Indoor meetings have often caused to multiply their misunderstanding. Evidently, they were forced into awkward situations during their meeting at Netherfield, in Kent, and at Pemberley.

‘Pemberley’ stands to symbolize the nature of Darcy in the novel. In the beginning, when Pemberley’s pride is mentioned we see Darcy as a man of arrogance and Pride. Later, when Elizabeth visits Pemberley, she sees that as neither “formal, nor falsely adorned” . Following that description, we see the improved Darcy, who is more sociable and friendly. The lack of pretension, refined taste, and gracious welcome, Elizabeth and the Gardiners experienced at Pemberley, is a symbol of refinement in the man. One could see the positive change comes over Elizabeth that makes her fall in love with Darcy as she sees his true character revealed through his home.

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About Mizpah Albert

Mizpah Albert is an experienced educator and literature analyst. Building on years of teaching experience in India, she has contributed to the literary world with published analysis articles and evocative poems.

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Pride and Prejudice

Theme of pride william park.

In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, she displays a stark contrast between two characters in the story. Austen does so by discussing the theme of pride throughout the novel. The concept of pride can be defined in two ways: positive and negative. Possessing positive or right pride is to have self-respect, honor, and integrity. On the other hand, wrong or negative pride is defined as showing arrogant or disdainful conduct and haughtiness. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy displays the positive side of pride while Mr. Bennet possesses wrong or negative pride, and a lack of pride itself in some cases. Darcy is responsible for his sister, himself, his estate, and his family name. He takes pride in these things and does anything he can in order to protect them. But Mr. Bennet who is responsible as a father of five daughters, a husband, and the holder of reputable conduct in the family, does not take pride in his family or his responsibility; Mr. Bennet instead ridicules the members of his family and in turn does not control their unruly actions.

Mr. Darcy, the leading male character in the novel, possesses an ancient family name, magnificent estate, and a sizable fortune which may seem to contribute to his pride. But later on in the...

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Pride and Prejudice

Jane austen.

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Pride is a constant presence in the characters' attitudes and treatment of each other, coloring their judgments and leading them to make rash mistakes. Pride blinds Elizabeth and Darcy to their true feelings about each other. Darcy's pride about his social rank makes him look down on anyone not in his immediate circle. Elizabeth, on the other hand, takes so much pride in her ability to judge others that she refuses to revise her opinion…

Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice refers to the tendency of the characters to judge one another based on preconceptions, rather than on who they really are and what they actually do. As the book's title implies, prejudice goes hand in hand with pride, often leading its heroine and hero into making wrong assumptions about motives and behavior. Austen's gentle way of mocking Elizabeth 's and Darcy 's biases gives the impression that such mistakes could…

The family is the predominant unit of social life in Pride and Prejudice and forms the emotional center of the novel. Not only does it provide (or fail to provide, as in the case of Lydia ) the Bennet daughters with their education and manners, but the social ranking of the family determines how successful they may reasonably expect to be in later life. Austen skillfully reveals how individual character is molded within the family…

Pride and Prejudice is a love story, but its author is also concerned with pointing out the inequality that governs the relationships between men and women and how it affects women's choices and options regarding marriage. Austen portrays a world in which choices for individuals are very limited, based almost exclusively on a family's social rank and connections. To be born a woman into such a world means having even less choice about whom to…

Class is the target of much of the novel's criticism of society in general. Austen makes it clear that people like Lady Catherine , who are overly invested in their social position, are guilty of mistreating other people. Other characters, like the suck-up Mr. Collins and the scheming Caroline , are depicted as thoroughly empty, their opinions and motivations completely defined by the dictates of the class system. To contrast them, Austen offers more positive…

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Pride and Prejudice

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What is Pride and Prejudice ?

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel by Jane Austen , published anonymously in three volumes in 1813. It has inspired many stage and screen productions, one notable adaptation being a 1995 TV miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth .

Who is the author of Pride and Prejudice ?

Jane Austen is the author of Pride and Prejudice . She published three other novels during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility , Mansfield Park , and Emma . Her novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published posthumously.

What is the plot of Pride and Prejudice ?

Pride and Prejudice follows the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.

What is the first sentence of Pride and Prejudice ?

The famous first sentence of Pride and Prejudice is: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

What was Pride and Prejudice originally titled?

Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions .

Pride and Prejudice , romantic novel by Jane Austen , published anonymously in three volumes in 1813. A classic of English literature , written with incisive wit and superb character delineation, it centers on the burgeoning relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy , a rich aristocratic landowner. Upon publication, Pride and Prejudice was well received by critics and readers. The first edition sold out within the first year, and it never went out of print.

Pride and Prejudice is set in rural England at the turn of the 19th century, and it follows the Bennet family , which includes five very different sisters. The eldest, Jane, is sweet-tempered and modest. She is her sister Elizabeth’s confidant and friend. Elizabeth, the heroine of the novel, is intelligent and high-spirited. She shares her father’s distaste for the conventional views of society as to the importance of wealth and rank. The third daughter, Mary, is plain, bookish, and pompous, while Lydia and Kitty, the two youngest, are flighty and immature.

Mr. Bennet is the family patriarch. He is fond of his two eldest daughters—especially his favorite, Elizabeth—but takes a passive interest in the younger ones, ultimately failing to curb their childish instincts. An intelligent but eccentric and sarcastic man, he does not care for society’s conventions and mocks his wife’s obsession with finding suitable husbands for their daughters. As several scholars have noted, however, Mrs. Bennet is rightfully concerned. Because of an entail , the modest family estate is to be inherited by William Collins, Mr. Bennet’s nephew, who is the next male in line. Indeed, as Austen scholar Mary Evans noted, “If Mrs. Bennett is slightly crazy, then perhaps she is so because she perceives more clearly than her husband the possible fate of her five daughters if they do not marry.” Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet’s fervor and indelicacy often work against her interests. A woman of little sense and much self-pity, she indulges her lively youngest daughters.

Throughout the novel, the Bennet sisters encounter several eligible bachelors, including Charles Bingley, Darcy, Lieutenant George Wickham, and Collins. Bingley has recently let Netherfield estate, which neighbors the Bennets’ home, Longbourn. Austen describes him as “good-looking and gentlemanlike; [having] a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners.” He has come by his fortune through his family’s interest in trade, which was seen as a less respectable means of obtaining wealth than by inheriting it, as his friend Darcy has done. Darcy is clearly a product of this hierarchical thinking: he believes in the natural superiority of the wealthy landed gentry. He is arrogant but perceptive.

Darcy’s estates were once managed by Wickham’s father, but he and Wickham are no longer friendly. Wickham is attractive and charming, making him immediately popular among the women in the nearby town of Meryton, where he and other soldiers have been stationed. Collins, on the other hand, is “not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society.” He is a clergyman whose patron, the controlling Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is Darcy’s aunt.

Other supporting characters in the novel include Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas, who is described as sensible and nearing an age where marriage is unlikely; Charlotte’s parents, Sir William and Lady Lucas; Mrs. Bennet’s brother, Edward Gardiner, who works in trade, and his wife, both of whom are generous and well-grounded; Bingley’s sisters, the snobbish and scheming Caroline and Louisa Hurst; and Darcy’s 16-year-old sister, Georgiana, who is painfully shy but good-humored.

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Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech

The vice president’s remarks lasted roughly 35 minutes on the final night of the convention in Chicago.

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By The New York Times

• Aug. 23, 2024

This is a transcript of Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on Thursday night in which she formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency.

OK, let’s get to business. Let’s get to business. All right.

So, let me start by thanking my most incredible husband, Doug. For being an incredible partner to me, an incredible father to Cole and Ella, and happy anniversary, Dougie. I love you so very much.

To our president, Joe Biden. When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I love you and Jill, and are forever thankful to you both.

And to Coach Tim Walz. You are going to be an incredible vice president. And to the delegates and everyone who has put your faith in our campaign, your support is humbling.

So, America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys. So, my mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. And I miss her every day, and especially right now. And I know she’s looking down smiling. I know that.

So, my mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.

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IGCSE essay style questions on Pride and Prejudice

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Other

Last updated

24 August 2024

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