Mr. Darcy is telling Mr. Bingley that Elizabeth is not pretty so he has no interest in her. These words were caught by Elizabeth, which makes her think that Mr. Darcy has excessive pride and starts to hate him. This situation, where Elizabeth dislikes Mr. Darcy, could be prevented if Mr. Darcy had not say these words out loud. So people should be careful of what they say if they would like to prevent a hard situation. Because prejudice builds up as time goes on, it can be magnified if the situation is not clarified immediately.
They also argue over the “trade union embezzlement case” another area of conflict. Also Catharine is described as “almost losing her temper” at one point during their conversation. Catharine doubts Sir Roberts motives as she believes he is merely boasting his popularity and ego. That he is not really concerned with the wrong that has befallen the family or the injustice they face. In Act two scene one Sir Robert patronizingly complements Catharine: “In such a charming hat, how could I have missed you?” In the same scene Sir Robert accuses Catharine of trying “to
Bronte may have done this simply to illustrate how Catherine will always have strong emotions towards Heathcliff regardless of their differences in wealth and background. This could be seen as a gothic element as it forebodes an unsuccessful relationship as this would disagree with the social norms at the time. Alternatively this could be seen as Bronte’s authorial voice commenting on the shallowness of society and how two people cannot be
In the beginning of the book, Darcy is awkward, overly concerned with other people’s social status, and believes that no women is adequate for him, but by the end of the book, he has learned how to be agreeable, to let go of his pride, and to realize he cares about what Elizabeth thinks of him. At first, Darcy believes that most women aren’t accomplished and judges them very harshly, but he later ends up showing Elizabeth respect that earlier seemed out of his character. During Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy says, “I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished” (p.26). Mr. Darcy criticizes women very harshly and does not approve of Bingley’s thinking that most higher class women are accomplished. After Elizabeth has rejects his proposal, however, Mr. Darcy wrote her a very long letter explaining his history with Mr. Wikham.
Over drinks, Frances confronts him about his wandering eyes and questions his love for her. Michael’s way of looking on women as mere bodies could suggest a kind of degradation, which is to define a woman only as an erotic or sexual figure. Michael reveals that he loves the way women look and when Frances asserts that one-day he will be unfaithful, Michael agrees with her. Frances feels that the day is now ruined and resorts to calling the Stevensons. The universal truth behind this story is that the innate differences between men and women coupled with lack of communication will cause a marriage to stagnate and become an uneasy compromise.
When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, Austin writes that he spoke of, “His sense of her inferiority of its being a degradation of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.” (Chapter 11 Vol. II). Austin writes, “Her inferiority of its being a degradation” through this statement the reader can infer that he is insulting her based upon her low status. Elizabeth immediately exposes his pride and faults him as being ungentlemanly. Austen succeeds in showing how the prideful nature of Darcy is unacceptable to Elizabeth and thus the reader knows that her refusal is based on her need for respect and love in a marriage.
In doing so, she focuses only on the benefits of one being monogamous and presents only, what is in her opinion, the social problems typical of polygamists. Her obvious negative opinions of promiscuity are evident when she says “Promiscuous people are not happy.” (Bell, 2004, line 62) and “They are never satisfied with what they have, but continue to strive toward something that is always out of reach.”
Pride can easily be depicted as the story progresses to the very end and not only from a few minor characters, but from major characters as well. Prejudice As the novel progresses on, another prevailing theme, aside from pride, is prejudice. During the ball, Elizabeth immediately depicts prejudice towards Darcy. Darcy comes off as pompous and snobby, “[he is] the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world.” (18) His reasoning for not wanting to dance with Elizabeth was also what made Elizabeth prejudice towards Darcy, she showed “no… cordial feelings towards him” (19) by the end of the night. Mrs. Gardiner also displays her prejudice as she is the one that doesn’t want Elizabeth to associate with Wickham because of his impoverishment.
The other faction sees her as self-righteous and hypocritical. They point out that she seems little concerned by her brother's crime but is too horrified of committing the same transgression herself--even to save her brother's life. She apparently suffers no qualms, however, in asking Mariana to share Angelo's bed. The reason for which she has been most strongly criticized is her seeming lack of sympathy for Claudio when he pleads with her to save him by giving in to Angelo's desire. She turns upon him violently, revolted by his weakness.
And since, in her opinions, it’s an “astonishment that Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for money”, the union of these two disgraceful people is both surprising and amusing news. Lydia would have attached herself to any other officer, clearly implies that there is no love in this relationship. The fact that Wickham has been such a scammer before shows that he does have commitment, but it’s commitment to the money, not the girl he marries. With that, there are high doubts that there could be understanding between two people, who marries each other not out of love and commitment, but because of lust and money. Next, Austen describes the marriage between Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas as a typical marriage during the Regency Period, which completely lacks love, but includes a moderate degree of understanding and a lot of commitment.