Pride and Prejudice Literary Essay

Pride and Prejudice Literary Essay
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The Change of Elizabeth and Darcy in the Novel
The story Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen presents a family of one, Mr. Bennet who is blessed with five unmarried daughters who are all struggling to find love. However, the title is based on the two main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy who struggle to overcome all their challenges and differences including personal failings to realize a happy relationship after that. Therefore, through the characters, the novel is well comprehended by understanding how the characters change throughout the novel. Additionally, this essay highlights the intentions of the writer in passing some information through the use of the two characters.
Elizabeth is one among the five daughters of Mr. Bennet, and she is the second born in the family. Although it is not outlined in the novel, she is no doubt a leading character considering her role in propelling the flow and outline of the story. As the events unfold when Mr. Charles Bingley together with his sister and friend- Fitzwilliam Darcy arrive in Netherfield Park, some attachment slowly develops between them and Mr. Bennets’ daughters. Apparently, as Charles Bingley gets attracted to Elizabeth’s eldest sister, Jane; Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, has developed some sense of liking for Elizabeth. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

” (Austen, 2017). A point worth noting is that as much Darcy got interested in being with Elizabeth, he at first had no such intentions were in fact against it. “Mr. Darcy is less pleased with the evening and haughtily refuses to dance with Elizabeth, which makes everyone view him as arrogant and obnoxious.” (Austen, 2017).
Fitzwilliam Darcy is the son of a wealthy master of Pemberley estate, and he is the lover of Elizabeth. One trait about him that cannot go unnoticed is his pride that maybe is a result of the wealthy background that he boasts about. As much as he wants to be in a relationship with Elizabeth, he, on the other hand, is against the closeness and the love affair between Jane and his friend Bingley. “But his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.” (Austen, 2017). Evidently, with such praise alone, no girl would refuse to be engaged to such a man. In fact, adding to the fact that Mr. Bennet’s family belonged to the low-class social life that was a struggling family and needed somebody who would help in salvaging them out of the misery.
Apparently, both the two characters are portrayed to be intelligent and wise in making their decisions. From the very time they first met, none of them was loosely willing to start dancing with the other unlike the other couple – Jane and Charles Bingley. Through such behaviour alone, it evidences some form of maturity and responsibility of not rushing into affairs just at first sight. However, with increased interactions and more visitations, the two got used to each other, and they now focused on developing a love affair. Austen, the author of the book, is simply trying to enlighten the readers on the essence and need of taking time to think and analyze every situation before rushing into any decision which might have adverse effects at the very end. In addition to that, Jane Austen is emphasizing on the fact that wealth is not all that should keep any affair but instead it should be motivated and driven by feelings of love. By just looking at the wealth status of the other partner, then there will be no love in that affair but rather a mining ground for the partner with interests in wealth.
All through the novel, Elizabeth through her characters is seen to be very sensible and intelligent. Other than showing her intelligence on many occasions, she is also depicted to be clever, lovely and obedient. At many times she rises to salvage the situation when things are almost getting out of hand. For instance, on her receipt of the news that her sister Lydia had disappeared from her, she does not hesitate but quickly sets on her journey back home. Such an action was a show of love and the secure attachment that she had towards her family regardless of the distanced father and careless mother she had. “Fearful of the disgrace such a situation would bring on her entire family, Elizabeth hastens home. Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet go off to search for Lydia, but Mr. Bennet eventually returns home empty-handed.” (Austen, 2017). As much as she is not willing to get into an affair with Mr. Darcy at first, she later finds him a reasonable and honest man, and she finds pride in having him as a boyfriend. Thus, the change in her feelings and perception about Mr. Darcy changes as the story progresses.
Apparently, one trait cannot be argued the fact that both Elizabeth and Darcy are quick in making a judgment with minimal proof. She even goes to the extent of turning down his proposal due to some minor reasons. For instance, Elizabeth is easily convinced by Wickham who is a soldier in their locality that Mr. Darcy is a bad man and in one time he had cheated him out of his inheritance which was a pure lie. Just by hearing this, she had all reasons to hate and dislike Mr. Darcy even without taking her time to extract the whole truth about what happened. It is a while later that she came to understand that the real cause of their misunderstanding with Wickham was because Darcy had cut short the plans of the young soldier in trying to flee with his young sister Georgina. “One day, he makes a shocking proposal of marriage, which Elizabeth quickly refuses. She tells Darcy that she considers him arrogant and unpleasant, then scolds him for steering Bingley away from Jane and disinheriting Wickham.” (Austen, 2017). However, at the very end, she got to realize that the young soldier said all these because she wanted an affair with her and thus used the excuse as a way through in easily getting her.
Primarily, the author uses such an illustration to passage the message of patience and humility. It is useless to rush into making fast decisions without any proof but later lose on something which meant a lot of value in one’s life or even an important occasion. People should always endeavor to be slow in making judgments even after hearing accusations about others. Preferably, it is necessary to investigate the cause of every accusation and make terrible relevant decisions that will not haunt and cause regrets shortly.
With all the challenges and frustrations that Elizabeth faces due to the irresponsible behaviours of her parents and siblings, she remains strong and determined day by day. The same is also the case with Mr. Darcy who does not give up on the woman he feels that is worth his life. He persistently remains close to her and does not show any sign of dissatisfaction in having her as a lover and a future wife. Even as he returns to Longbourn briefly together with his friend, he keeps his regular visits to Elizabeth’s place regular without bringing up the idea of marriage which she had earlier turned down. “Darcy goes to stay with him and pays visits to the Benefits’ but makes no mention of his desire to marry Elizabeth.” (Austen, 2017). Also, deep down the heart of Elizabeth, she knows that Mr. Darcy is the right man for her through his aunt is against their engagement. “Since she considers a Bennet an unsuitable match for a Darcy, Lady Catherine demands that Elizabeth promises to refuse him. Elizabeth spiritedly refuses, saying she is not engaged to Darcy, but she will not promise anything against her happiness.” (Austen, 2017). Finally, the two cannot help but get into a happy marriage after Darcy proposes once again to Elizabeth who warmly accepts the offer.
Evidently, the author’s expression of ideas in showing the change in the feelings, lifestyle, and even the status of the two characters is so catchy that one cannot avoid getting engrossed. From the very start when there was no hope of an affair to the point where Elizabeth refuses the marriage proposal to the marriage engagement at the end, it is no doubt a significant change shown in the novel by the two main characters. The author has vividly used the novel in showing how human beings are flexible enough in changing their minds and perception but with good persuasion, convincing and enough reason for the change.
Reference
Austen, J. (2017). Pride and prejudice (Vol. 1). Artisan Shoppe.