• KS2 English
  • Study Guides
  • Practice Tests
  • Rapid Revision
  • YN+ Digital

This website uses Cookies

Pride and Prejudice (Grades 9–1)  York Notes GCSE Revision Guide

GCSE Study Notes and Revision Guides

Pride and prejudice (grades 9–1) york notes, jane austen, examiner's notes, you assessed this answer as grades 6–7 . hover over the highlighted text to read the examiner’s comments., question: read from ‘ “engaged to mr collins my dear charlotte ...” ’ to ‘ ... happy in the lot she had chosen ’ (vol. 1, ch. 22). in this extract, charlotte lucas explains to elizabeth her reasons for accepting mr collins’s marriage proposal..

Starting with this extract, explore how Austen presents ideas about marriage.

Write about:

  • how Austen presents ideas about marriage in this extract
  • how Austen presents ideas about marriage in the novel as a whole.

Marriage is a major preoccupation for the characters in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Jane Austen is adept at presenting a range of attitudes. These are embedded within the wider social and economic context while also being expressed as important personal decisions. In this brief dramatic exchange, Charlotte Lucas’s decision to marry Mr Collins threatens the continuation of her friendship with Elizabeth Bennet.

Elizabeth’s initial exclamation, ‘Engaged to Mr Collins! My dear Charlotte, – impossible!’ is quite unlike her normal mode of speech and is not within social conventions. Even today it is polite to reply to an engagement announcement with congratulations. Austen frequently reveals her characters’ inner feelings through changes of colour and decisions involving movement. Here Charlotte’s countenance ‘gave way to a momentary confusion’ and later, after ‘an awkward pause’, she and Elizabeth separate.

Fortunately Elizabeth does find more appropriate words and she wishes Charlotte ‘all imaginable happiness’. Yet how much happiness is ‘imaginable’, when an intelligent woman like Charlotte chooses to marry a man like Mr Collins?

The friends have earlier had a discussion about marriage when Charlotte advised Elizabeth that her sister Jane should ‘show more affection than she feels’ in order to ‘secure’ Bingley. Charlotte has a thoroughly pragmatic view of marriage – she is not ‘romantic’ as she tells Elizabeth and she asks ‘only a comfortable home’. Elizabeth has never truly believed this and she is shocked to discover that her friend ‘would sacrifice every better feeling to worldly advantage’. Charlotte is not a weak character. She counter-attacks. ‘Do you think it incredible that Mr Collins should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?’

Perhaps Elizabeth is rather naïve and over-confident in her own point of view? She is certainly left unhappy. Words such as ‘unsuitable’, ‘pang’, ‘sacrificed’, ‘distressing’ colour her reflections. It’s possible that the realisation that she has misjudged her friend may be the first step on the journey towards self-knowledge and humility that she must take throughout this novel.

Charlotte’s acceptance of Mr Collins is a milestone in the exploration of love, marriage and materialism. Austen is not afraid to offer strong arguments on either side and one of the most convincing is the effect that Charlotte’s marriage will have on her family. Her brothers are relieved because they will not have to support Charlotte (as Austen’s brothers supported her and her sister), and her sisters know that this will offer them more opportunities. Austen allows the readers a glimpse inside Charlotte’s mind. She realises Mr Collins ‘is neither sensible nor agreeable’ (stronger words then than now) ‘but still he will be her husband’. It’s as if one can hear her sigh with relief.

Elizabeth’s parents reacted quite differently to her refusal of Mr Collins and this indicates their different views on marriage. Mrs Bennet’s business is to ‘get her daughters married’ so she was angry whereas Mr Bennet offered his complete support. This was expressed with his characteristic irony. ‘Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins and I will never see you again if you do.' Much later in the novel, when Mr Bennet believes that Elizabeth is about to marry a man (Darcy) who she does not love, he expresses his fear more movingly. ‘Oh my child, do not let me have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.’

Respect is vital (and so is money) but love is the quality which is not mentioned in these conversations. Other marriages, such as that of Jane and Bingley, show how important this is. Love and attraction is the foundation of the relationship between Jane and Bingley and the fact that Jane has made a good marriage financially is seen as of secondary importance. Elizabeth remarks on the balance in their relationship as ‘a general similarity of feeing and taste’. The reader has a sense that Jane and Bingley will be good for one another whereas from the extract we might feel that while Charlotte might be good for Mr Collins he will be far from good for her. We can see other examples of unsuitable marriages in Lydia and Wickham and Mr and Mrs Bennet, which Austen uses to compare with the happy marriages of Jane and Elizabeth.

Having read our examiner’s notes, select another grade if you would like to change your own assessment. Click NO CHANGE if you are happy with your assessment.

This is the copy relating to the passage of highlighted text.

Interesting Literature

A Summary and Analysis of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Pride and Prejudice , published in 1813, is Jane Austen’s best-known and probably most widely studied novel. But what does the novel mean? What is it really all about? And where did that title, Pride and Prejudice , come from?

Before we attempt to answer some of these questions, it might be worth recapping the plot of Austen’s novel. So, before our analysis of Pride and Prejudice , here’s a brief plot summary.

Pride and Prejudice : plot summary

A wealthy man named Mr Bingley moves to the area, and Mrs Bennet – mother of five daughters – tells her husband to call on the eligible young bachelor. A match between Bingley and the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, is soon in the works – but a match between another rich bachelor, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the second-eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth, looks less likely.

This is because Mr Darcy’s pride – his haughty attitude towards Elizabeth Bennet and her family – sour her view towards him, while Elizabeth’s prejudice towards Mr Darcy is also a stumbling-block. After he acts in an arrogant and disdainful way towards her at a ball, she learns from a young soldier, Mr George Wickham, that Darcy apparently mistreated him.

Wickham is the son of a man who used to be Darcy’s steward or servant, and Darcy acted unkindly towards the young George. Darcy’s and Bingley’s sisters conspire to drive a wedge between Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet because they believe Bingley can find a wife from a better social station than the Bennets.

Meanwhile, Darcy also has an arrogant aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who acts as patroness to a clergyman named Mr Collins, who in turn flatters her with disgusting servility. (Mr Collins is also Mr Bennet’s nephew: since Mr and Mrs Bennet have no sons, Mr Bennet’s estate is due to pass to Mr Collins when Mr Bennet dies.)

Mr Collins is encouraged to ask one of the Bennet sisters for her hand in marriage, and he decides upon Elizabeth. She, however, turns him down, and he marries Charlotte Lucas instead.

The happy couple get together, and Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but it’s clear he still views her and her family with some contempt because he is of a higher social status than they are. She responds by citing George Wickham’s accusations against him; she also thinks he played a part in breaking up the match between her sister, Jane, and Bingley.

However, in a later letter to her, Darcy reveals that Wickham cannot be trusted: he is a womaniser and a liar. Elizabeth visits Darcy’s home, Pemberley, while visiting the north of England with her aunt and uncle. Darcy welcomes them and introduces them to his sister.

Darcy’s words about Wickham are proved true, as the soldier elopes with Lydia, the youngest of the five Bennet sisters. Darcy tracks the two lovebirds down and persuades them to marry so Lydia is made an honest woman of. Bingley and Jane finally get engaged, and Darcy and Elizabeth overcome their ‘pride and prejudice’ and become a couple.

Pride and Prejudice : analysis

In his vast study of plot structures, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories , Christopher Booker suggests that Pride and Prejudice is more straightforwardly in the ‘comedy’ genre than it may first appear to be. He points out that much of the novel turns on misunderstandings, characters misreading others’ intentions or others’ personalities, and people generally getting things wrong: the Bennets think Mr Wickham is the wronged one and Darcy the villain, but it turns out that they have this the wrong way around.

So what used to be more explicit in, say, stage comedies of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – indeed, going right back to Shakespeare – is made more subtle and internalised in Austen’s novel, and rather than having her characters literally confuse one person with another (because of some absurd coincidence, wearing similar clothing, and so on), her characters find they have misread a person’s motive or misjudged their honesty, as with Mr Wickham.

This is why the title of the novel is so important: Darcy and Elizabeth’s union at the end of the novel strikes us as true because they have had to overcome their own personal flaws, which prevent a union between them, but having done so they have an honest and realistic appraisal of each other’s personality. They have, if you like, ‘seen’ each other.

We might contrast this with the various illusions and misapprehensions in the novel, or the other motivations driving people together (Mr Collins trying to woo Elizabeth simply because she’s the next Bennet sister in the list).

Is  Pride and Prejudice  a late Augustan work or a novel belonging to Romanticism? Romanticism was largely a reaction against Augustan values: order, rationalism, and the intellect were tempered if not wholly replaced by the Romantic values of freedom, emotion, and individualism.

But whether we should regard  Pride and Prejudice  as Augustan or Romantic is a question that divides critics. Terry Eagleton, in The English Novel: An Introduction , points out that Austen was not somebody who trusted wholly in the supremacy of reason, not least because her beliefs – what Eagleton calls her Tory Christian pessimism, which made her alert to the flawed nature of all human beings – would not allow her to be so. Austen is aware that human beings are imperfect and, at times, irrational.

And in this connection, it is worth pondering what Andrew H. Wright observes in Jane Austen’s Novels, a Study in Structure : that the reason Elizabeth Bennet, rather than Jane, is the real heroine of  Pride and Prejudice  is that Jane is not flawed enough. She is too perfect: something that would make her the ideal heroine for most novels, but the very reason she cannot be the protagonist of a Jane Austen novel.

Austen is too interested in the intricate and complex mixture of good and bad, as Wright points out: Austen likes the explore the flaws and foibles of her characters. Elizabeth, in being taken in by Wickham and his lies and in misjudging (or at least partly misjudging) Darcy, is flawed because both her pride  and  prejudice need tempering with a more nuanced understanding of the man she will marry.

The opening line of Pride and Prejudice is arguably the most famous opening line of any novel: ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ But what is less widely known is that the tone of this opening line is clearly ironic.

Far from being Austen the detached, impartial narrator, this is actually Austen ventriloquising her characters’ thoughts – specifically, those of Mrs Bennet, whose views in the novel are often derided by Austen’s narrator – using a narrative technique which Austen did so much to pioneer.

This technique is known as free indirect speech , and it is what makes Austen’s prose so full of wit and surprise, so we always have to keep an ear out for her narrators’ arch commentary on the characters and situations being described. (The clue in this opening line is in the phrase ‘universally acknowledged’, since how many things in life really are truly universally acknowledged?)

Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions , but that eventual title, Pride and Prejudice , was a cliché even when Austen used it for her novel. The phrase is found in two important works of the 1770s, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and Edward Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire .

But the most important precursor to Austen’s novel by a long way is Fanny Burney’s 1782 novel Cecilia , in which that phrase, ‘pride and prejudice’, appears three times in rapid succession, with the words ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’ capitalised: ‘The whole of this unfortunate business, said Dr Lyster, has been the result of PRIDE and PREJUDICE. […] if to PRIDE and PREJUDICE you owe your miseries, so wonderfully is good and evil balanced, that to PRIDE and PREJUDICE you will also owe their termination.’

Austen learned a great deal from Burney, and refined the comedy of manners which Burney had helped to pioneer several decades earlier.

Pride and Prejudice is, in the last analysis, one of the great comedies in the English language, because in its construction it takes the hallmarks of romantic comedy and refines them, making subtle and abstract what was literal and physical in earlier stage comedies.

It is also a novel about how true love needs to be founded on empirical fact: we need to know the person we’re marrying, to see them with our own eyes, rather than rely on others’ opinion or let ourselves be blinded by romantic notions and delusions.

1 thought on “A Summary and Analysis of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”

It’s a brilliant romantic novel, but, yes, it’s a comedy as well. Mr Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and even Mrs Bennet verge on the pantomimish sometimes, and Miss Bingley is so bitchy that she’d have fitted very well into Dallas or Dynasty :-) .

Comments are closed.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Pride and Prejudice

By jane austen, pride and prejudice essay questions.

In which ways is Elizabeth different from the rest of the Bennet family? What does the contrast reveal about her character?

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and understand her own flaws at the end. Most of the other Bennets are stuck in their ways - Jane is eternally optimistic, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are frivolous, Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and cynical, and so on - but Elizabeth regularly reflects on the events in her life. She learns to question herself whereas most of the others act as though they have settled on a certain worldview. Elizabeth is therefore a true individual who adapts to the world around her, and seeks constantly to better understand her desires so that she can find happiness.

Overall, do you believe Austen has a conservative or radical approach to the issue of class? Why or why not?

Ultimately, Pride and Prejudice takes a moderate stance on class differences. Austen never posits an egalitarian ideology. However, she does criticize the society's over-emphasis on class instead of individual moral character. Darcy's journey from extreme class-consciousness to prioritizing manners over money is the best example of Austen's criticism. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is affected upon visiting Pemberley. The grand estate does have an impact on her already changing feelings towards Darcy, which is one example of Austen justifying the appeal of the upper class. Overall, Austen accepts (and even appreciates) the existence of class hierarchy, but also offers a warning about how class-based prejudice can poison society.

Explore Austen's portrayal of the women in the novel. In what ways does she sympathize with their plight, and in what ways is she unsympathetic?

Austen's attitude towards women is quite complicated. Generally, Austen is critical of the gender injustices present in 19th century English society, particularly in the context of marriage. She is able to voice this criticism through characters like Charlotte Lucas (who marries Collins because she needs security) and even Mrs. Bennet (who, though ridiculous, is the only one to speak out against the entailment of Longbourn). Furthermore, Austen's caricatured portrayal of the younger Bennet daughters is evidence of her disdain for frivolous women. Her opinion was perhaps more in line with Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, or even the dour Mary. While Austen seems to accept the limitations of her gender, she criticizes a society that forces women to emphasize their least flattering characteristics.

Elizabeth has a markedly different attitude about marriage than other characters - notably Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet - have. To what extent is she unfair in her assessment of their attitudes, and to what extent might they benefit from employing her perspective?

Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet both believe that marriage is a business transaction in which a woman must be the active party in securing a good match for herself. This pragmatic assessment stands in stark contrast to Elizabeth's more romantic worldview. However, at this period in history, at least in certain higher classes, if a man chose not to marry, he only risked loneliness and regret. Meanwhile, a woman in the same situation could lose her financial security. Therefore, it is understandable why Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet believe that a woman must consider employing manipulation for the sake of her future. Charlotte deliberately draws Mr. Collins's attention in order to secure a proposal. However, Jane does not follow Charlotte's advice and nearly loses Bingley's love in the process. Lydia takes a drastic action that forces her marriage to occur. It is only Elizabeth who operates entirely outside the societal norm, but Austen makes it clear that her situation is quite unique.

Some critics applaud Austen's ability to craft psychologically complex and believable characters, while others believe she mostly creates well-drawn comic stock characters. Which argument do you support?

Though this question asks for an opinion, a strong thesis would be that Austen straddles the line between comic stock characters and psychologically complex ones. Elizabeth Bennet has a magnetic and singular personality, as does Darcy. They are arguably one of the most beloved literary couples of all time. On the other end of the spectrum, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are almost trapped in their exaggerated personality traits, which Austen often uses for comic (and satirical) effect. However, Austen reveals a keen perception of human psychology, even through these supposedly two-dimensional characters. Mr. Collins, for instance, reflects the truth of a class-obsessed society. Mrs. Bennet embodies the desperation of women to find a good marriage. Therefore, Austen does create unique stock characters that emphasize certain aspects of human psychology while also providing comic relief.

Austen's original draft of this novel was titled First Impressions . Explain why this title makes sense, as explore the reasons why Pride and Prejudice is more apt.

First Impressions describes the main romantic conflict - will Elizabeth and Darcy end up together despite their first impressions of one another? However, Pride and Prejudice suggests a much deeper psychological struggle, more fitting to the complexity of Austen's novel. Whereas First Impressions only implies a story of corrected perceptions, Pride and Prejudice describes a story where the characters must investigate themselves, addressing the unconscious impulses that work to prohibit self-awareness. Finally, the final title is all-encompassing, reaching beyond just Elizabeth and Darcy. It offers a comment on the novel's larger themes like class and the role of women.

Darcy is initially attracted to Elizabeth's "fine eyes." Analyze this symbol, and explain what it shows about both Darcy and Elizabeth.

Despite Elizabeth's obvious coldness toward him, Darcy finds himself increasingly attracted to her, particularly her beautiful dark eyes. The darkness of her eyes also represents Elizabeth's main weakness‹: the pride and prejudice that cloud her perception. Elizabeth prides herself on her ability to judge others and uncover their motives. However, her prejudgment of Darcy makes her blind to his admiration. In the conversation about Darcy at Netherfield, Elizabeth offers that Darcy's defect is "a propensity to hate everybody," while Darcy perceptively replies that hers is "Œwillfully to misunderstand them." Indeed, while Elizabeth judges Darcy for over-valuing his first impression of her, she exhibits the exact same shortcoming. Ultimately, the darkness of her eyes reflects the complexity of Elizabeth's prejudice, but that complexity is very much what draws Darcy towards her in the first place.

In what ways does Austen portray the family and community as responsible for its members?

Though Pride and Prejudice is largely a story about individuality, Austen portrays the family unit as primarily responsible for the intellectual and moral education of children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's failure to provide a proper education for their daughters leads to Lydia's utter foolishness. Elizabeth and Jane manage to develop virtue and discernment in spite of their parents' negligence, though it is notable that they have other role models like the Gardiners. Darcy shares both his father's aristocratic nature and the man's tendency towards generosity, while Lady Catherine's daughter is too frightened to speak. This attitude extends to the larger community, as well. Lydia's time in Meryton and Brighton bring out her worst impulses. Similarly, the community around Pemberley respects Darcy's generosity and follows his lead in being kind and trustworthy.

Though undoubtedly a comic character, Mr. Collins reflects some rather unattractive qualities of his society. Explain this statement.

Mr. Collins is defined by his rambling speeches of excessive formality and his boorishness disguised as faux-politeness. And yet, Mr. Collins is also a reflection of a society obsessed with class, a monster engendered by this singular pressure. Mr. Collins comes from modest means and likely always dreamed of a respectable position. When he attracted an aristocratic patroness like Lady Catherine, he saw only her rank, which made him blind to her harsh and condescending attitude. He compensates for his insecurity by pretending to act like Lady Catherine and those of her class. In this way, Collins and Lady Catherine are examples of the societal acceptance of class without manners but not the opposite.

Explain why Austen ends her novel with a line about the Gardiners, even though they are minor characters in Pride and Prejudice .

The Gardiners are important because they are a middle-class couple that behaves reasonably and virtuously. Mrs. Gardiner is a great role model for Elizabeth, though she reveals little unique personality of her own. Mr. Gardiner proves to be instrumental in saving Lydia from her scandalous elopement. They both acknowledge the importance of class and education, but place a greater emphasis on personal conduct. The Gardiners also externalize Darcy's inner struggle. When Darcy treats the Gardiners well at Pemberley and then later works with Mr. Gardiner to rescue Lydia, it indicates that he has internalized Elizabeth's view of personality and class. The novel thus ends on the Gardiners because is offers a final illustration that Elizabeth and Darcy have reached a happy medium between class and behavior beyond the barriers of pride and prejudice.

GradeSaver will pay $15 for your literature essays

Pride and Prejudice Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Pride and Prejudice is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and...

What are reasons that Elizabeth thinks darcy may still be interested?

Did you need more detail?

Pride and Prejudice How might Mr. Bennet's earlier actions have prevented this scandal? Is Mr. Bennet responsible for his youngest daughter's behavior?

Mr. Bennet has always been compacent when it came to the well being of his daughters. Mr. Bennet's main interest was that his daughters married into money. Wickham was obviously a pompous jerk but he was also a wealthy well connected jerk. Mr....

Study Guide for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice study guide contains a biography of Jane Austen, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About Pride and Prejudice
  • Pride and Prejudice Summary
  • Pride and Prejudice Video
  • Character List

Essays for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

  • Theme of Pride
  • Epistolary Study of Austen
  • Money as Social Currency in the Society Described in Pride and Prejudice
  • Discretion and Design in Pride and Prejudice
  • Eloquence: The Window To the Soul and the Number One Requirement for a Successful Courtship

Lesson Plan for Pride and Prejudice

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Common Core Standards
  • Introduction to Pride and Prejudice
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher
  • Related Links
  • Pride and Prejudice Bibliography

E-Text of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice e-text contains the full text of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

  • Chapters 1-6
  • Chapters 7-14
  • Chapters 15-23
  • Chapters 24-33
  • Chapters 34-42

Wikipedia Entries for Pride and Prejudice

  • Introduction
  • Plot summary
  • Major themes

pride and prejudice exemplar essay

📕 Pride and Prejudice Essays

Analysis of the opening sequences of austen’s adaptations.

First published in 1918, Jane Austen’s novel of manners, Pride and Prejudice, explores the emotional development and maturity of the novel’s protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, as…

How does Jane Austen present marriage within Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of the most famous novels of English literature not only because it is a masterpiece of writing but…

What is the best site to search for quality Pride and Prejudice paper samples?

Grademiners is the trendsetter in the field of custom writing samples. We have plenty of top-notch examples you may follow to fetch high grades with minimum effort.

How to use Pride and Prejudice essay samples to create my own paper?

You can follow the line of argument chosen by our writers or borrow some topics from the reference lists of published examples.

Is it allowed to submit your samples as mine?

No, such practice is strictly prohibited at Grademiners, as it comes with a 100% risk of plagiarism accusations. Thus, using these papers for college submission is a huge risk with no benefits.

How many college paper and essay samples are available in this database?

Overall, our database covers 1,000+ essay samples on various topics. It is replenished every day to give you more educational material.

Pride and Prejudice essays are pretty common assignments for Literature students. This charming English novel offers much food for thought and is a pure pleasure to read. However, not all students come to grips with the sophisticated language and rich socio-cultural landscape portrayed by the author. So, with the help of our database, you can find unique ideas and materials for crafting your own Pride and Prejudice paper.

Challenges of Writing a Pride and Prejudice Essay

Though this romantic novel was written by the English writer Jane Austen, it’s highly popular in the educational establishments of the United States of America and around the globe. The literary piece used to be highly popular among women because it examines the popular topics of love, marriage, and family. Yet, upon more critical analysis, one will find an in-depth view of feminism in the book and a variety of socially pressing issues that jane Austen touched upon in the story of the Bennet family.

Students may find it challenging to examine the book’s characters and dominant themes if they haven’t read the work or have not captured its message. In any of these cases, our examples will come in handy as a quick introduction to the novel. So, let’s find out how our resources can help you ace the Pride and Prejudice analysis assignment.

How Can Our Pride and Prejudice Essay Examples Help You?

At times, writing papers on Pride and Prejudice may turn into a tough challenge. But in these cases, you should always keep in mind that our database can come to your rescue and offer valuable materials and support. Here are the benefits of referring to our sample bank.

Professional Writing Guidance

Every Pride and Prejudice essay sample contained in our database is thoroughly checked for quality of content and grammar. Therefore, by using our examples, you follow the best industry practices in writing, argument formulation, and backing up your thoughts with evidence.

Topic and Structuring Prompts

It’s much easier to compose an essay on a complex literary piece like Pride and Prejudice if you have clear, well-structured examples in front of you. Students often use ready-made structures and follow the same topics by creating unique twists to write authentic pieces.

Competent Writers

All essays you will find here are written by experienced academic writers. They may be used as guidance for your own writing or as a portfolio of projects that you can order from our expert team. The second variant is suitable for students looking for a reliable academic provider.

Order a Stellar Essay on Pride and Prejudice From Us

Stuck with your Pride and Prejudice research paper? It shouldn’t be a problem anymore with our helpful and professional service. The Grademiners team is always on standby, ready to offer assistance with all kinds of Literature essays and research works. No need to pull all-nighters and stretch yourself to deliver all essays on time. With our assistance, you will always have enough time for rest and relaxation.

  • A Rose for Emily
  • Animal Farm
  • Death of a Salesman
  • Fahrenheit 451
  • Flowers for Algernon
  • George Orwell's 1984
  • Gothic Literature

pride and prejudice exemplar essay

Home Essay Examples Literature English Literature

Essays on Pride and Prejudice

Pride and prejudice- women and male role from pride and prejudice to today, pride and prejudice: issues inherent in the title, pride and prejudice: social issues in a novel, pride and prejudice: revealing of social realities, pride and prejudice: analysis of darcy.

We guarantee complete confidentiality, you will receive a plagiarism-free paper!

Pride And Prejudice: The Issues Raised In A Novel

Pride and prejudice: the theme of marriage, pride and prejudice and feminism, romanticism in herman melville’s moby dick and jane austen’s pride and prejudice, ideas in works of literature: pride and prejudice and oliver twist, top similar topics.

  • Frankenstein
  • Lord of The Flies
  • Great Expectations
  • White Teeth
  • Bleak House
  • Fifty Shades of Grey
  • An Inspector Calls
  • A Streetcar Named Desire
  • The Great Gatsby

pride and prejudice exemplar essay

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

“Pride and Prejudice”: Analysis of a Passage Essay

Introduction, overall contents, impact, and themes.

The novel called “Pride and Prejudice” written by Jane Austen has been referred to as a “global brand” due to its universal style and timeless contents (Huff 1). Interestingly, the novel has been characterized as timeless and applicable to multiple subjects present throughout the history in spite of the fact that it is very tightly connected to a particular historical period and social class. The story, the characters, the setting, and even the speech of the characters make strong references to the environments of the beginning of the 19 th century in England. However, the themes discussed in the novel raise the universally important issues of class and social division, manners and rules, social pressure and opinion, relationships between men and women, parents and children. The way these issues are delivered to the reader by the author adds to the universality of the novel. In fact, the structure of narration and dialogues in the text provides the reader with just enough guidance and autonomy to perceive the story in a unique but accurate manner. In other words, this paper provides a critical analysis of a passage from Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and argues that non-descriptive third person narration and dialogues without the narrator’s commentary on the actions of the characters allow the reader’s imagination to equip the action with details moving freely within the boundaries established by almost invisible, but present guidance of the author.

The passage under analysis contains narrative speech and dialogues between characters. It is set in a ballroom where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy attempt to maintain a conversation while dancing. Prior to this scene, the narrative speech is used to describe the actions of Elizabeth throughout the evening and her interactions with other characters. The passage is rather short; however, it carries a lot of information.

The narrative parts of the passage frame the dialogue. The first portion of narration occurs at the beginning of the passage and serves to introduce the actions of Elizabeth during the ball. The narration is delivered using the third person perspective, and it mainly carries an informative character. For instance, the following sentence is a good demonstration of the type of narration used in the passage: “When those dances were over she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy, who took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she accepted him” (Austen 68). In this sentence, the sequence of Elizabeth’s actions is shown in a brief manner. One may notice that the descriptive devices such as epithets, metaphors, and similes are absent. Outlining the actions of the characters clearly, but avoiding lengthy and detailed descriptions the author achieves the precise perception of the situations by the reader. The narrative portions could have been expanded with the addition of various stylistic means; however, their absence shows that the creation of a precise and detailed picture was not the author’s intention. Instead, Austen left it up to the reader to imagine a variety of smaller details. At the same time, narration offers strong guidance so that the reader’s imagination does not get carried away from the scenes as they were intended by Austen. For instance, the dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy during the dance does not contain any remarks of the narrator indicating the intonations of the characters, their moods, gestures, or body movements.

The replies are presented in an ongoing sequence without interruptions. Only one line of narration can be found within a dialogue and it says, “He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said” (Austen 69). This simple sentence is a good illustration of the timely and necessary guidance added by the author. The line is found at the very beginning of the dialogues and serves to show Mr. Darcy’s attitude to the sharp comment of his dance partner who is treating with irony the short conversations deemed obligatory during a dancing session. The narrative line demonstrates that Elizabeth’s irony did not annoy or anger her partner, but put a smile on his face. That way, the warm, yet distant relationship between the characters is portrayed.

One more narrative remark can be found at the very end of the dialogue, in the sentence that says: ““Both,” replied Elizabeth archly; “for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds”” (Austen 70). The fact that such remarks are absent from the rest of the dialogue draw the attention to this one hinting that there must be some point in it. Analyzing the narrative remark critically, one would notice that it carries the function similar to that of the line at the beginning of the conversation. Namely, it serves to guide the reader through the emotional aspect of the talk. Noting that the last response of Elizabeth was given archly, the author informs the reader about the overall tone of her chat with Mr. Darcy and points out that even though their dialogue looked like a rivalry in wittiness, they both enjoyed the interaction.

As mentioned above, the dialogue held between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth is not accompanied by any narrative commentary. However, the contents of the talk can serve the narration of their own. The characters discuss what they should speak about in order to follow the rules of social conduct and stay polite with each other during a forced interaction. The level of self-awareness and critical thinking of the characters allow them to analyze the rules of appropriate behavior at a ball. That way, the role of the narrator in the conversation is fulfilled by the characters treating their situation with a distanced rationalism. However, one may see that the rare guidance of the author indicates that Elizabeth who is “determined to hate” Mr. Darcy initially finishes the conversation in an “archly” manner and finds him “agreeable” due to the fact that her analytical sarcasm and irony were not taken as insults by him; on the contrary, Darcy accepts the rules set by Elizabeth and shows her that she has met an equal in sharpness. Elizabeth’s acceptance of Darcy is seen in her attempt to analyze him as a personality at the end of the talk and her conclusion that they may have a lot in common saying, “we are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room” (Austen 70).

Metaphors, similes, and other descriptive devices are also absent from the dialogue. Austen’s writing demonstrates the author’s determination to provide the readers with the ability to use their own imagination and add various details to the actions of the characters and their interactions. However, a critical approach to the way the text is structured shows that the author managed to have the development of the events and the way they are perceived by the readers under control. The themes raised in the short passage refer to the social interactions and social expectations, roles and rules within classes and communities, superficial behaviors and gestures the individuals are forced to adopt in order to fit in their habitual environments. This subject used to be relevant at the beginning of the 19 th century, and it is still relevant at the dawn of the 21 st century.

In conclusion, the passage under analysis is a vivid illustration of the character of the whole novel called “Pride and Prejudice” as it contains some of the very significant attributes of Austen’s writing style. To sum up, the universality of the text is achieved by means of an easy narrative style not overcrowded with too many details, the flowing dialogue not interrupted by the narrative remarks, the timeless themes, and transparent, yet firm guidance provided by the author. The passage lacks descriptive stylistic devices and can be characterized as dry in terms of introduction of scenes, characters, and settings. However, the informative manner of narration done using the third person perspective and formed as a simple sequence of actions makes the scene active and vivid. The passage demonstrates a lot of development and overall contains information about a whole evening Elizabeth had at the ball including the minor activities and a major step in her relationship with Mr. Darcy.

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . Ed. James Kinsley. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford UP, 2004. 68-70. Print.

Huff, Marsha. An In-Depth Study of P&P. 2010. Web.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, August 4). "Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pride-and-prejudice-analysis-of-a-passage/

""Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage." IvyPanda , 4 Aug. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/pride-and-prejudice-analysis-of-a-passage/.

IvyPanda . (2022) '"Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage'. 4 August.

IvyPanda . 2022. ""Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage." August 4, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pride-and-prejudice-analysis-of-a-passage/.

1. IvyPanda . ""Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage." August 4, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pride-and-prejudice-analysis-of-a-passage/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . ""Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage." August 4, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pride-and-prejudice-analysis-of-a-passage/.

  • "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: Research Paper on the Book
  • “Pride and Prejudice” by Austen: Chapter 43
  • Gardens in Pride and Prejudice
  • Character Analysis in Pride and Prejudice From the Feminist Perspective
  • Essay on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
  • "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: Characters Analysis
  • Jane Austen’s Novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’
  • Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility
  • J. Austen’s "Sense & Sensibility", "Pride and Prejudice", and "Emma"
  • "The Star" by Arthur C. Clarke
  • Kay’s “Trumpet” as a Attempt for a Person to Be Identified
  • Desdemona and Vince: Legal Issues in Police Conduct
  • Discussion of "Utopia" by Thomas More
  • Issues in "The Rape of the Lock" and "Modest Proposal"

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.

About the Book

Mizpah Albert

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 Analysis

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.

Mizpah Albert

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.

guest

Cite This Page

Albert, Mizpah " Pride and Prejudice Themes and Analysis 📖 " Book Analysis , https://bookanalysis.com/jane-austen/pride-and-prejudice/analysis/ . Accessed 12 April 2024.

It'll change your perspective on books forever.

Discover 5 Secrets to the Greatest Literature

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

  • See blocked member's posts
  • Mention this member in posts
  • Invite this member to groups

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

  • Human Editing
  • Free AI Essay Writer
  • AI Outline Generator
  • AI Paragraph Generator
  • Paragraph Expander
  • Essay Expander
  • Literature Review Generator
  • Research Paper Generator
  • Thesis Generator
  • Paraphrasing tool
  • AI Rewording Tool
  • AI Sentence Rewriter
  • AI Rephraser
  • AI Paragraph Rewriter
  • Summarizing Tool
  • AI Content Shortener
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • AI Detector
  • AI Essay Checker
  • Citation Generator
  • Reference Finder
  • Book Citation Generator
  • Legal Citation Generator
  • Journal Citation Generator
  • Reference Citation Generator
  • Scientific Citation Generator
  • Source Citation Generator
  • Website Citation Generator
  • URL Citation Generator
  • Proofreading Service
  • Editing Service
  • AI Writing Guides
  • AI Detection Guides
  • Citation Guides
  • Grammar Guides
  • Paraphrasing Guides
  • Plagiarism Guides
  • Summary Writing Guides
  • STEM Guides
  • Humanities Guides
  • Language Learning Guides
  • Coding Guides
  • Top Lists and Recommendations
  • AI Detectors
  • AI Writing Services
  • Coding Homework Help
  • Citation Generators
  • Editing Websites
  • Essay Writing Websites
  • Language Learning Websites
  • Math Solvers
  • Paraphrasers
  • Plagiarism Checkers
  • Reference Finders
  • Spell Checkers
  • Summarizers
  • Tutoring Websites

Most Popular

12 days ago

Why Congress Cares About Media Literacy and You Should Too

10 days ago

How Educators Can Reinvent Teaching and Learning With AI

Plagiarism vs copyright.

13 days ago

Who vs Whom

Top 20 best books on american history, pride and prejudice themes.

Lesley J. Vos

The following review example can serve as a guide for students trying to find inspiration when writing an assignment. 

A true literary page-turner stands the test of time. Jane Austen’s masterpiece – Pride and Prejudice – has touched many readers and left a trace in the heritage of literary works. To these days, theatrical productions, film adaptations, publishing houses, and modern creators such as Booktubers drive inspiration from this iconic novel. 

Not another love story, P&P’s main characters transcend the conventional “arc of love/hate at first sight” development. Instead, a female writer daringly describes vital issues from marriage and social class to feminism, family connections, and rebellion. Needless to say, the Pride and Prejudice themes are still relevant today.

Social Class and Marriage

What is the theme of Pride and Prejudice? People’s connections and relationships. Pride and Prejudice greets the readers in the first chapter with an acute issue of the 19th century – social class. Austen wittily puts on paper how an emotional and irrational mother of 5 daughters – Mrs. Bennet – strives to find them a perfect rich husband. Yet her endeavors are not appreciated highly by the nobility of the high class. Seemingly silly at first glance, Mrs. Bennet is following her own experiences with marriage and hoping for better outcomes for her children.

She is the opposite of her spouse, Mr.Bennet who appears to be level-headed and rational. He listens to the brain, not the heart. An intellectual man as he is depicted with the most ironic vice – laziness of action. But Mr. and Mrs. Bennet do seem to see eye to eye. They both have an interest in Mr. Bingley as a potential husband for one of their daughters. 

Pride and Prejudice Marriage

Mr. Bingley and his friends, true upper-class citizens, are a “new talk” on a Sunday morning in church. But there is more, not only do they brew the spread of rumors among the townsfolks, Mr. Bingley and his best friend Mr. Darcy become the “on dit” in the Bennet’s household. Both titled gentlemen fall in love with two older daughters but have rather different courtesy style preferences. For instance, Janne’s grace and angelic beauty enchant Mr.Bennet; while Elizabeth’s boldness and straightforwardness blow away Mr. Darcy. From this point on, the author elaborately weaves a narrative that explores themes of manners, upbringing, morality, and marriage in the society of the British Regency.

The love spark gradually evolves between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Both main characters blindly believe in bearing the difference while they are the same: ambitious, free-spirited, and honest. Lizy and Fitzwilliam do indeed walk the “hate at first sight” trope but only because their weaknesses sometimes outshine their virtues. Snobbish blue-blooded Darcy and stubborn middle-class Elizabeth mold themselves into better versions before saying how deeply they admire each other. To help them shape and grow, Austen filled their lives with other love interests, impeding aunties, trying life events, and past enemies in the faces of Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Mr. Wickham.

The author cherishes pure love but always remembers to bring readers to reality by portraying other sides of romance. Take Lydia Bennet, the youngest in the family, who is desperately searching for love and finds it where it is least expected. A pampered child is foolishly enamored by a mysterious soldier with selfish intentions – Mr. Wickham. The love union is doomed to be tragic. Not only does Lydia marry a man of a lower social status but she also elopes, bringing disgrace upon the family. The Bennets heard judgments and faced biased looks before their name was justified by the efforts and connections of Mr.Darcy.

Pride and Prejudice Romance

The novel’s edifying conclusion is that the love story between Darcy and Elizabeth perfectly portrays that true love is capable of withstanding any life obstacles. Most significantly, pure feelings are an excellent nudge to self-improvement. Jane Austen skillfully embedded the moral of romance and partnership in the title of her Regency novel. After all, Lizy learned how to fight prejudice and Fitzwilliam learned not to be stuck up.     

Women’s role in society 

The never-ending battle for equality seems like something we face daily living in the 21st century. But for the folks of yesteryear – the Victoria Age – Austen’s bold pro-feminist vision was something fresh, forbidden, but very needed. 

All the author’s female characters are unique and multifaceted. P&P’s women are perfect proof of these words. All five Bennet sisters are so entirely different that only their surname will give strangers the idea of a family bond. From the youngest to the oldest, the author gifts her ladies with mere mortal virtues and vices: kindness and judgment, playfulness and childishness, level-headedness and irrationality, a thirst for love, and a pursuit of rational affection. 

The main protagonist – Elizabeth Bennet – carries a lot of character development on her shoulders. She is the modern definition of beauty and brains. Being a bright and good-looking lady, Lizy knows her worth and claims to never get intoxicated by the social status of her future spouse. On the other hand, she promises to build an emotional bond with her beloved one. 

Pride and Prejudice Women's social status

A contrasting figure to Elizabeth is her best friend Charlotte Lucas. Wise and pragmatic Lotty does not follow her heart. Instead, she makes pragmatic life choices and settles with a man whom she finds secure and safe. These two females are a perfect example of multi-layered characters who were ahead of their time with their courageous thoughts, actions, and views. 

Austen gives readers a powerful female from the company of upper-class individuals – Lady Cathrine de Bourgh. This overly orthodox woman is shown to use her name and status to patronage everyone around her and tell people what is the right choice for them. She carries herself with confidence and makes everything considers herself the beacon of societal norms and decorum. However, the author lets the readers look past her social status and exterior when Elizabeth confronts her. By colliding two worlds, Austen meant to show how little social rank can mean when compared to a person’s worth and ability to protect personal boundaries. 

Family bonds are recognized in Pride and Prejudice. Not because family plays a grand role in people’s lives but because it influences them too. Dynamics and relationships with the loved ones impact everyone in the novel. 

For instance, Jane and Elizabeth are a textbook case of sisterhood. They are always there for each other: in sorrow and happiness, and in the most challenging life events. When Jane’s relationship with Mr.Bingley gives a first crack, and when Elizabeth experiences mixed signals from Mr. Darcy, or even when Lydia carelessly runs off – the sisters support each other’s backs. 

But if older sisters seem to know a lot about caring relationships, younger ones have different upbringing patterns. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia are three younger sisters who do not seem to bear the resemblance to Jane and Lizy. Mary is introverted and bookish, while Kitty and Lydia are childish and easily influenced by gossip, people’s opinions, and the latest fads. 

Mrs. and Mr. Bennet have their favorites and dedicate all their attention either to Lydia or Elizabeth. The youngest is loved by their mother because Mrs. Betten sees herself in Lydia. And Mr. Bennet admires how intelligent and logical Lizy is about everything.

Pride and Prejudice Family

While Jane’s big heart is full of love for everyone else, Kitty and Mary are left out of family and social events. It is clearly shown in the narration when girls are looking for support from their parents, they do not receive enough attention. 

However, readers do not receive much information about Darcy’s family, apart from the fact that he has an overly controlling aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and a younger sister named Georgiana.

Pride and Prejudice

The main theme of Pride and Prejudice lies in the title. However, as Jane Austen intended, pride and prejudice are intricate parts of the characters’ lives that come with significant costs. 

Characters like Caroline Bingley, Mr. Bingley’s sister, and Lady Catherine de Bourge exemplify pride turned to arrogance due to their wealth and social standing, making them believe they are inherently superior. Their vanity is evident in their obsession with preserving their social image. 

Mr. Darcy, distinct from the others, carries a pride that is more personal and less concerned with external appearances. Initially, his high regard for social rank hinders his interactions and causes him to lose Elizabeth’s favor. Only when Fitzwilliam starts to soften his pride with empathy and understanding does he become a better person and a suitable partner for Lizy.

Prejudice in the novel refers to the characters’ tendencies to make quick and firm judgments. Elizabeth Bennet believes she’s skilled at reading character but her quick judgments often blind her to the truth. Her initial prejudice against Darcy, sparked by his snub and fueled by Wickham’s deceit, nearly costs her a chance at love. The novel suggests that while some level of prejudice or judgment is natural and can be practical, it becomes harmful when it is unreasonable and unchecked. Jane’s inability to see through the Bingley sisters’ deception almost ruins her chances with Mr. Bingley. Essentially, Pride and Prejudice reflects on the balance needed in our judgments and self-esteem. Too much pride or unbridled prejudice can lead to missed opportunities and joy.

Final Thoughts

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice addresses themes such as the intricacies of social class, marriage prospects, romantic evolution, women’s societal roles, and family ties, while illustrating the personal consequences of pride and prejudice in the quest for self-improvement and true love.

*Note: When you write an expository essay, you may find additional information for your work in outside sources. You can also use the original work (book, article, etc) that you write about. In any case, site all the sources you use for your assignment. You can use tools like APA 6th edition citation generator to help you format both citations and references according to the specific formatting style.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Expository Essay Examples and Samples

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Nov 23 2023

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Remote doctor

May 10 2023

Remote Collaboration and Evidence Based Care Essay Sample, Example

Non-profit healthcare

May 06 2023

The Non-profit Sector in Global Health Essay Sample, Example

Remember Me

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: a Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead

This essay explores the delightful and unexpected literary fusion of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” It delves into the intriguing concept of blending Jane Austen’s classic romance with the undead, creating a unique and captivating narrative. The essay discusses how the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith manages to retain the essence of Austen’s characters and social commentary while introducing elements of humor and action in a zombie apocalypse setting. It highlights the appeal of this unconventional pairing, the transformation of iconic characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy into zombie-fighting heroes, and the enduring fascination with this genre-bending work. Ultimately, it celebrates the creative possibilities of literature and the ability to find unexpected harmony in the most unlikely combinations. Also at PapersOwl you can find more free essay examples related to Literature.

How it works

Literature has a way of reinventing itself, and sometimes, it takes an unexpected twist. “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is a prime example of this literary alchemy, fusing Jane Austen’s timeless classic with the undead. While it may seem like an odd pairing, this peculiar concoction has managed to captivate readers and fans of both romance and horror genres.

The novel, authored by Seth Grahame-Smith, was published in 2009 and quickly became a sensation. It takes the beloved characters and plot of “Pride and Prejudice” and infuses them with a zombie apocalypse.

In this reimagined world, the Bennet sisters are not just prim and proper young ladies searching for suitable husbands; they are also skilled martial artists trained to combat the hordes of the undead that threaten England.

At first glance, the idea of combining Austen’s elegant Regency-era society with gruesome zombie battles may seem jarring. However, the genius of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” lies in its ability to maintain the core themes and character dynamics of the original while injecting a healthy dose of humor and action. The wit and social commentary of Austen’s work remain intact, but now they coexist with scenes of beheadings and zombie slaying.

The character of Elizabeth Bennet, famously known for her sharp tongue and independent spirit, shines even brighter as a sword-wielding heroine. Mr. Darcy’s brooding and enigmatic nature takes on new dimensions as he navigates the complexities of a world overrun by the undead. The novel also introduces a compelling new villain in the form of a zombie leader, adding an element of suspense to the familiar narrative.

The success of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” led to its adaptation into a film in 2016, bringing the quirky blend of period drama and horror to the big screen. While the film received mixed reviews, it undoubtedly introduced a wider audience to this unique literary mashup.

So, what is the allure of this unlikely combination? Perhaps it’s the contrast between the refined manners of the Regency era and the chaos of a zombie apocalypse that makes it so intriguing. Or maybe it’s the idea that even in the face of the undead, love and wit can still prevail. Whatever the reason, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” stands as a testament to the creative possibilities of literature, proving that even the most unexpected pairings can yield captivating results.

In conclusion, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is a literary experiment that defies convention and embraces the absurd. It takes a beloved classic and infuses it with the supernatural, creating a world where romance and the undead coexist in a delightful, albeit unconventional, harmony. Whether you’re a fan of Austen, zombies, or simply enjoy a good dose of humor and action, this novel offers a unique reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It reminds us that even in the most unexpected places, there is room for creativity, imagination, and a dash of the undead.

owl

Cite this page

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead. (2024, Jan 26). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead." PapersOwl.com , 26 Jan 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/ [Accessed: 14 Apr. 2024]

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead." PapersOwl.com, Jan 26, 2024. Accessed April 14, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead," PapersOwl.com , 26-Jan-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/. [Accessed: 14-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the Undead . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-quirky-blend-of-literature-and-the-undead/ [Accessed: 14-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

owl

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Pride and Prejudice — Syntax in Pride and Prejudice

test_template

Syntax in Pride and Prejudice

  • Categories: Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice

About this sample

close

Words: 563 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 563 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Literature

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1293 words

2.5 pages / 1206 words

2 pages / 800 words

2 pages / 887 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Pride and Prejudice

When Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice in 1813, England was a society heavily divided by social class, where marriage was viewed as the ultimate goal for women, and where prejudiced opinions were rampant. Through her [...]

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel that combines the themes of marriage, wealth, class and self-knowledge to unleash an extravagant masterpiece. Since its immediate success after being released in 1813, it has remained one [...]

Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, is a rich and complex work that delves into the Igbo culture and the impact of colonialism on traditional societies. Throughout the novel, Achebe uses foreshadowing to hint at the [...]

Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice is a classic portrayal of the societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage in the early 19th century. The novel explores the themes of love, marriage, and social status, and [...]

The concept of "design" and calculation plays a prominent role in Pride and Prejudice. Design is used as an indicator of values, particularly in marriage, and presents the characters with a challenge in balancing scheming and [...]

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice concerns primarily of the social norms of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, in which was a patriarchal society ruled by men who held economic and social power. Pride and Prejudice has [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

pride and prejudice exemplar essay

COMMENTS

  1. Pride and Prejudice: A+ Student Essay: Does the Novel Endorse the Role

    Historical Context Essay: Pride and Prejudice & the Napoleonic Wars Literary Context Essay: Austen's Impact on Novels About Marriage & Family ... Pride and Prejudice, like Austen's other novels, follows a plot arc that might remind readers of modern works that are considered light fare. But Austen's emphasis on marriage should never be ...

  2. Pride and Prejudice Essay Examples

    2 pages / 1007 words. Pride and Prejudice, the classic tale written by Jane Austen, takes place in 19th century rural England. Setting is important throughout the story because it symbolizes the progression of the relationship between two of the major characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

  3. Pride and Prejudice Critical Essays

    1. She is sometimes naive about the Bennet family's lack of social class. 2. She is often too impressed by the upper class. V. Conclusion: Jane, Darcy, and Mrs. Gardiner are three major ...

  4. Sample Answers

    In this brief dramatic exchange, Charlotte Lucas's decision to marry Mr Collins threatens the continuation of her friendship with Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth's initial exclamation, 'Engaged to Mr Collins! My dear Charlotte, - impossible!' is quite unlike her normal mode of speech and is not within social conventions.

  5. A Summary and Analysis of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

    Before we attempt to answer some of these questions, it might be worth recapping the plot of Austen's novel. So, before our analysis of Pride and Prejudice, here's a brief plot summary. Pride and Prejudice: plot summary. A wealthy man named Mr Bingley moves to the area, and Mrs Bennet - mother of five daughters - tells her husband to ...

  6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Essay

    Introduction. Pride and Prejudice is a world-known novel written by an English author Jane Austen in 1813. The story revolves around the importance of education, marriage, financial viability, and traditions in the United Kingdom during the Regency era. Humor is used as the primary artistic means of the narrative, which attracted many readers ...

  7. Pride and Prejudice Essays and Criticism

    Essays and criticism on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice - Essays and Criticism. ... Pride and Prejudice is the perfect example of humor's ability to teach important lessons about life.

  8. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

    SOURCE: Moler, Kenneth L. "Pride and Prejudice and the Patrician Hero." In Jane Austen's Art of Allusion, pp. 74-108. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1968. [In the following essay ...

  9. 94 Pride and Prejudice Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Essay on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This essay contains the analysis of the novel, including the summary, description of the main characters and themes, personal opinion about the narrative, and conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay. Pride and Prejudice: Film Interpretation.

  10. Pride and Prejudice Essay Questions

    10. Explain why Austen ends her novel with a line about the Gardiners, even though they are minor characters in Pride and Prejudice. The Gardiners are important because they are a middle-class couple that behaves reasonably and virtuously. Mrs.

  11. Pride and Prejudice Essay Examples

    Words: 1280. Rating: 4,8. First published in 1918, Jane Austen's novel of manners, Pride and Prejudice, explores the emotional development and maturity of the novel's protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, as…. 👩‍🌾 Jane Austen Art History 📗 Book 😱 Emotions 📕 Pride and Prejudice. View full sample.

  12. Pride and Prejudice Essay Examples

    Pride and Prejudice is the masterpiece of the English writer Jane Austen, which background is the life of the English middle-class at the beginning of the 19th century. The English classic has been adapted to the cinema four times, and the most established version was released in 2005 under the direction of Joe Wright. "By... Pride and Prejudice.

  13. "Pride and Prejudice": Analysis of a Passage Essay

    Introduction. The novel called "Pride and Prejudice" written by Jane Austen has been referred to as a "global brand" due to its universal style and timeless contents (Huff 1). Interestingly, the novel has been characterized as timeless and applicable to multiple subjects present throughout the history in spite of the fact that it is ...

  14. Pride and Prejudice Themes and Analysis

    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 ...

  15. Pride and Prejudice themes: Essay Example, Sample

    Pride and Prejudice greets the readers in the first chapter with an acute issue of the 19th century - social class. Austen wittily puts on paper how an emotional and irrational mother of 5 daughters - Mrs. Bennet - strives to find them a perfect rich husband. Yet her endeavors are not appreciated highly by the nobility of the high class.

  16. Feminist Satire in "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

    Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice stands as a masterpiece that not only weaves a captivating love story but also serves as a poignant example of feminist satire. Within its pages, Austen employs sharp wit and irony to deconstruct societal norms and gender roles of the early 19th century. By peeling back the layers of this literary work, we can ...

  17. Marriage in Pride and Prejudice: [Essay Example], 582 words

    Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is a classic portrayal of the societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage in the early 19th century. The novel explores the themes of love, marriage, and social status, and highlights the various motivations and consequences of marriage for the characters. Through the experiences of the Bennet ...

  18. Pride and Prejudice' Book Review Essay

    Cite This Essay. Download. According to Milton Hershey School, "Family consists of the people who support and love you, and the people you can confide in and trust" In Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, the Bennet family has five daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Cathrine, and Lydia. The goal for the Bennet's daughters is to be married ...

  19. Review Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

    Published: Mar 18, 2021. Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel that combines the themes of marriage, wealth, class and self-knowledge to unleash an extravagant masterpiece. Since its immediate success after being released in 1813, it has remained one of the most well-known English novels. Written by famous novelist Jane Austen whom novels ...

  20. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Quirky Blend of Literature and the

    Essay Example: Literature has a way of reinventing itself, and sometimes, it takes an unexpected twist. "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" is a prime example of this literary alchemy, fusing Jane Austen's timeless classic with the undead. While it may seem like an odd pairing, this peculiar concoction

  21. The Importance of Class in Pride and Prejudice

    Explore the significant role of social class in Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Discover how class influences the characters' relationships and the themes of the story. Get a deeper understanding of this timeless tale.

  22. Syntax in Pride and Prejudice: [Essay Example], 563 words

    Pride and Prejudice: Expectations and Prejudices in 19th-Century England Essay When Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice in 1813, England was a society heavily divided by social class, where marriage was viewed as the ultimate goal for women, and where prejudiced opinions were rampant.