Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen-

A detailed Summary of 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 ow

Both Darcy and Elizabeth come to recognize their pride as a flaw

company. When he gives Elizabeth the grand tour of his

embarrassment of her family, Mary would take every chance she could to

preconceived notions of both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham turn out to be

that she would not speak to her for passing up such an opportunity.

of the novel a focus of the theme of pride. His pride is very obvious.

see his character leaves much to be desired. All he cares about is

nothing-spectacular home, he is looking for her approval of his

while observing the transformations of Darcy, realizes that she, too,

Bennet who was herself the speaker of this passage. To the

society gives him the right to be critical of those not as perfect as

Mr. Collins possesses a definite sense of vanity. He is in no

angered with Darcy that it effects her entire relationship with him.

Approximate Word count = 832
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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