"Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen - THEMES


*** Themes are the Fundamental and often Universal ideas explored in a literary work.

*** LOVE

  • One of the most cherished love stories in English Literature.
  • The courtship between Darcy and Elizabeth.
  • Lovers had to overcome numerous stumbling blocks, beginning with the tensions caused by the lovers own personal qualities.
  • Elizabeth's prejudice makes her misjudge Darcy.
  • Darcy's pride against Elizabeth's poor social standing blinds him.
  • Elizabeth is guilty of prejudice and Darcy of pride.
  • Jane Austen poses smaller obstacles in the realization of the love between Elizabeth and Darcy.
  • Austen does sound some more realist notes about love.
  • Charlotte Lucas, who marries Mr. Collins for his money - "heart does not always dictate marriage.
  • True Love - a force separate from society - one that can conquer even the most difficult of circumstances.
*** REPUTATION
  • Depicts a society in which a woman's reputation is of the utmost importance.
  • Stepping outside the social norms makes her vulnerable to ostracism.
  • Elizabeth walks to Netherfield and arrives with muddy skirts - shock of the reputation - conscious Ms. Bingley and her friends.
  • Ridiculous behavior of Mrs. Bennet gives her a bad reputation with the more refined Darcys and Bingleys.
  • When Lydia elopes with Wickham and lives with him out of wedlock, the author treats reputation as a very serious matter - her disgrace threatens the entire family.
  • The happy ending of Pride & Prejudice is certainly emotionally satisfying, but in many ways it leaves the theme of reputation, and the importance placed on reputation, unexplored.
*** CLASS
  • The strictly regimented nature of life for the middle and upper classes in Regency English Society.
  • The lines of class are strictly drawn.
  • Bennets - middle class/ Bingleys, Darceys - upper class.
  • Austen satirizes this kind of class-conscious, particularly in the character of Mr. Collins, who spends most of his time adhearing to his upper class patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
  • Through the Darcy-Elizabeth and Bingly-Jane marriages, Austen shows the power of love and happiness to overcome class boundaries and prejudices, thereby implying that such prejudices are unproductive. 

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