Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, shows us how status, wealth, and class were valued by people living in the late 18th century. In the beginning, we are introduced to a large family of many unmarried young women who are fond of a successful man known as Mr. Bingley. Although none of the women have even met the man they already find him “attractive” because during this time period wealth had a lot to do with how you are seen by others. The first sentence of the book directly summarizes what you should expect from people during this time when it mentions: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Also, the parents play a large role in making sure their daughters find the proper partner which is most of the time someone who is wealthy, well respected, and has a strong family background. Even Mr. Bennet’s wife admits that “when a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty” (4).
After reading this line I came to the conclusion that with age, family members obtain different responsibilities and even their children are not exactly on their own until they are married. Furthermore, another important topic of discussion is what makes a young woman accomplished. Mr. Bingley believed that all women are accomplished because they could do the same jobs and chores, but in my opinion he is too in love with Jane to be picky. On the other hand, Darcy describes an accomplished woman as “[having] a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word” (37).
Although I find Darcy to be a mysterious character because he keeps many things to himself, I still think he is hiding a secret from us. Despite this, it is no secret that every man has a different outlook on what makes a woman worthy or in other words “accomplished”. Darcy’s personal preference is for a woman to have a certain intellectual understanding and be keen to “improve her mind by extensive reading” (37). Darcy values intelligence because he is a more serious person and a thinker himself, but reading to him shows a lot about a woman, especially how smart they are. I believe that Darcy himself believes that men are smarter than women, but a lady who reads books therefore values intelligence which therefore makes her smarter and different than the rest. During this time women were associated with housework and it was a duty for them, but I think that very few women were very well educated compared to wealthier men.
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By studying Darcy’s character and personality, he isn’t always well understood by others and he isn’t likable. After reading the line, “You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection” (47), Miss Bingley in particular does not see the big picture of who Darcy really is, but even Darcy is not a perfect human being even when he is question in the line, “I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect; he owns it himself without disguise” (55). However, Darcy admits that he is a complicated person, but not at all perfect despite his different outlook on life. As the novel takes another turn, we see how Elizabeth and Darcy’s chances of getting married are slowly becoming smaller and smaller. Although a lot goes on at Pemberley to change Elizabeth’s mind about Darcy, I believe the difference made was when Elizabeth realizes that it won’t be possible for Darcy to propose to her again.
We get a good understanding of Darcy’s feelings when the book describes how “Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence” (264). Elizabeth is always thinking about Darcy and she is on his mind when we read, “Elizabeth almost stared at her; Can this be Mr. Darcy thought she” (237). To my surprise this makes her love him even more in a romantic way. However, Elizabeth definitely has a problem with making up her mind, and this is shown by her doubts throughout the book. I believe that she is not being completely honest with us about how she feels about him. Elizabeth isn’t a really complicated character, but sways us from one situation to the other and we do not get her full point of view.
Darcy and Elizabeth still feel a connection and somewhat longing for each other when it is mentioned, “Mr. Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage, and when it drove off, Elizabeth saw him slowly walking towards the house” (245). When Darcy is slowly walking towards the house we can infer that he is probably wishing he could say something more to Elizabeth or that she will open up to him. In another scene, “Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room” (255). She doubted Darcy and judged him all along, but love is too powerful to put into words sometimes and Elizabeth is coming to realize that. I predict that it will be possible for Elizabeth to be with Darcy again and act true to him, but in order for this to happen she will have to overcome a major obstacle and sort her priorities.
Despite this, Elizabeth was trying to act in a good manner in front of others and “She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all” (249). Another important character who is again involved with Bennet is Mr. Wickham who is a snake. However, he is thought of as being a handsome and supposedly innocent person based on the line, “And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a woman” (269). His relationship with Lydia is purely a result of his desperation to find a partner, and his need of money. Even though word is out that Wickham owes a large sum of money in gambling debts, I believe that with all of the gossip that is going on in this society, it is difficult to really believe everything so it is up to you to choose who or what you believe in.
