Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The title of the novel Pride and Prejudice,
by Jane Austen, can be interpreted as a theme running through the novel. Pride,
observed Mary, . . . is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have
ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed, that human nature is
particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a
feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or another, real or
imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often
used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more
to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.
Pride and/or vanity is exhibited in different forms by each character. Ms.
Austen was trying to send the message that an excess of pride or vanity is
indeed a failing. Those characters who can recognize their flaw emerge as the
true heroes of the story. In many minor characters of the novel, pride is a
common characteristic. Mrs. Bennet, for instance, is extremely proud when it
comes to her daughters marriages of mercenary advantage. She is so concerned
that her neighbors have a high opinion of her that her own vanity will not even
allow her to think of her daughters love and happiness. This is best shown with
the case of Elizabeth Bennet s proposed marriage to the esteemed Mr. Collins, a
man she did not love. Mrs. Bennet was so upset when her daughter refused Mr.
Collins offer that she would not speak to her for passing up such an
opportunity. We can see an example of pride for imaginary qualities in Mary
Bennet who was herself the speaker of this passage. To the embarrassment of her
family, Mary would take every chance she could to put on a show whenever in a
public situation. Although she was not talented in any of the activities she
decided to undertake, her high opinion of herself and her desire to esteem
herself in the eyes of others enabled her to display her supposed talents. Mr.
Collins possesses a definite sense of vanity. He is in no way concerned about
his own opinion of his character, for as we see his character leaves much to be
desired. All he cares about is what others think of him. He always needs the
approval of his present company. When he gives Elizabeth the grand tour of his
nothing-spectacular home, he is looking for her approval of his position and
possessions. It is not important to Mr. Collins for people to like him as a
person, they just had better be impressed his status in life and his
connections. Mr. Darcy, as one of the main characters, is for the better part of
the novel a focus of the theme of pride. His pride is very obvious. It is a part
of his nature and is seen in his mannerisms and in his speech. Darcy has such a
high opinion of himself that he does not care what others think of him or his
prideful actions. He believes that he is the best in every way possible and
finds that his standing in society gives him the right to be critical of those
not as perfect as he. Elizabeth Bennet, the other main character of the novel,
is just as guilty of being proud as any of the other characters in the novel.
She prides herself on being unprejudiced and rational in the judgement of
others. Yet, this is an imaginary quality as she learns that her preconceived
notions of both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham turn out to be false. She is also very
proud when Darcy confronts her about her family and connections. Although Darcy
s accusations of the unsophistication of certain of her family members are true,
Elizabeth is too proud to listen and accept the truth. Instead, she becomes so
angered with Darcy that it effects her entire relationship with him. Both Darcy
and Elizabeth come to recognize their pride as a flaw in their respective
characters. Darcy realizes that he must check his pride in order to be seen in a
good light by others. Elizabeth, the object of his affections, is so turned off
by his prideful ways that a touch of vanity enables him to change himself for
her. Elizabeth, while observing the transformations of Darcy, realizes that she,
too, has been guilty of too much pride. She sees that she was indeed prejudiced
and that she must come to terms with the failings of her family. Darcy and
Elizabeth are able to overcome their pride which enables them to live happily
ever after.