How Does The Theme "Pride & Prejudice" Exemplified

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Jane Austen (1775 – 1817), English novelist, is noted for her witty studies of early 19th century English society. With meticulous details, she portrayed the quiet, day-to-day life of members of the upper middle class. Her works combine romantic comedy with social satire and psychological insight. Pride and Prejudice is one of the novels she wrote with a romantic and entertaining storyline. What is special about this novel is that the title of the novel indirectly signifies the themes of the story. Pride and prejudice are the two major themes portrayed in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. These two themes are actually exemplified through the main and minor characters in the novel. As mentioned by Mary at the beginning of the novel, “I am convinced that it is very common indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it.” (Vol. 1 chap.5, pg 14). In the novel, pride actually prevents the characters from seeing the truth and reality of a situation and from achieving happiness, contentment and bliss in life. Pride is also one of the main obstructions that create an obstacle to marriage in this novel. However, prejudice is intimately related to pride in “Pride and Prejudice”. Prejudice is an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts. In the novel, pride has actually overwhelmed prejudice where the people judge others based on first impressions. Pride and prejudice occurs at the beginning of the novel where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet first met in the ball at the nearby town of Meryton. There are two little conflicts that become a catalyst to Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy. It is undeniable that Darcy is an arrogant man in the novel. He has a very strong element of pride and always thinks highly of himself. During his first meetng with Elizabeth at the ball, Darcy actually refuses Elizabeth when
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