The Analysis of Pride and Prejudice - Essay Example

Symmetries on Pride and Prejudice In MLA Style 2 Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by Jane Austen that contains one of the most cherished love stories in the English literature – the courtship between the main characters in the story; Elizabeth and Darcy. Just like in any great love story, the lovers should undergo a number of hindrances and tensions before ending it on a happy note. Elizabeth’s pride overshadows her take on Darcy and misjudges him poorly on first impression while latter’s prejudice on the Elizabeth’s poor ranking on the social ladder shades the many good virtues Elizabeth has. This ordinary but cherished love story becomes a more interesting read due to the symmetries Austen puts in it. Characters move from incident to incident Elizabeth and Darcy’s love story establishes the main plot of the novel. The first impulse of the misinterpretation comes from Darcy’s rudeness. Darcy makes a big remark on Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly. “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me” and Elizabeth overhears this remark of Darcy and instantly becomes prejudiced of him and begins to hate him. When Elizabeth and Darcy re-encounter each other on the street where Wickham is in the scene, Elizabeth observes a mysterious exchange between Wickham and Darcy. “Mr. Darcy ... was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked Last Name 3 white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat--a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return.” (Austen & Gray, 26, 1966) The main focus on this scene is the observation of Elizabeth on the conversation between Darcy and Wickham. Elizabeth’s curiosity is so powerful that her observation seems unidirectional. Her keen eyes towards what’s happening around her may depict she is a gossiper but Austen is able to pull it off well. Austen puts an air of fascination evident in Darcy’s character towards Elizabeth due to the latter’s light and pleasing feature. This shadows his initial pride but Elizabeth’s prejudices constantly deepen. Elizabeth promptly rejects Darcy when he proposes, which is the underlying reason of the parting of the two. Elizabeth feels ashamed of having prejudiced of Darcy and the latter who always thinks that he is a fine gentleman realizes that the proposal to Elizabeth has been most ungentle. With the realization of the two, they have taken a few steps towards maturity. Wickham, on the other hand, is motivated by envy towards Darcy since the day he can remember. He is always alert whenever Darcy is around, which is the why he knows Darcy very well better than Bingley does and knows that Darcy has his eyes on Elizabeth, better than Elizabeth does. This encounter of Wickham, Elizabeth and Darcy is also one of the scenes where Austen puts an excellent depiction to her characters; Elizabeth, being too observant of her surroundings; Wickham, watching Darcy closely, and Darcy, a fine, wealthy and handsome man, being the subject of the two. Wickham, being the main antagonist in the love story of Elizabeth and Darcy, he easily acquaints with former, feeding her some with tales about the wrongdoings of Darcy to him. “What she c chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told, the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Last Name 4 Darcy. She dared not even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity however was unexpectedly relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He ... asked in a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.”(Austen & Gray, 44, 1966) A natural gossiper like Elizabeth, Wickham provides her with information around them that would catch her attention and eventually will go fetch for some information from her in return. He does it so smoothly, enough for him to gossip around without being noticed. “A clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself--for I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy." (Austen & Gray, 50, 1966) Wickham’s quote at his conversation with Elizabeth, trying to lure her and get her trust.   Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberly brings her closer to Darcy. The two get closer together only to be parted again though temporarily caused by Lydia’s elopement with Wickham. Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship grows closer and stronger in such a way that their marriage could be the only conclusion on their earlier misunderstandings. In addition to the main Elizabeth-Darcy plot, there are sub-plots in the novel Austen includes: Jane and Bingley, Charlotte and Collins and Lydia and Wickham. They are skilfully linked smoothly by Austen and significantly contribute to its progress. Darcy owes Bingley his presence at the Nether field and the relationship of Jane with Bingley also brings Elizabeth there, which places her in close proximity to Darcy. The Lydia-Wickham relationship is more relevant. Darcy slights Elizabeth while Wickham flatters her. Hence, it is obvious to the reader, although not to the characters that Wickham works on deepening Elizabeth’s prejudice towards Darcy. Although later on in the novel, Wickham e xposes himself due to his stupidity, Elizabeth gains a better perspective of Darcy, which brings Last Name 5 them closer to each other that Wickham gets upset about. As revenge, Wickham elopes with Lydia. Darcy accepts this elopement to act heroically and to show his admiration and love for Elizabeth. The Jane-Bingley relationship brings Elizabeth and Darcy closer at the Netherfield and the Charlotte-Collins relationship brings them together at the Rosings. Love and marriage are the main theme of the Pride and Prejudice, which is common to the main plot as well as the three sub-plots. Based on economics, the Charlotte-Collins relationship lacks love and devotion while the Lydia-Wickham relationship is just as like as of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, which is solely based on physical charms that vanishes in time. Jane and Bingley, on the other hand, sincerely love each other but due to the absence of strength from intellectual understanding and maturity, their relationship is depicted as fragile. Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship is based on emotional compatibility and intellectual understanding. These four affairs sums the plot of thematic unity the shows the author’s moral vision. Works Cited Austen, Jane, and Donald J. Gray. Pride and Prejudice: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Reviews, and Essays in Criticism. New York: Norton, 1966. Print. Read More