Terms Pride And Prejudice In Its Characters example essay topic

The terms pride and prejudice have been present throughout world history. The novel 'Pride and Prejudice' is a perfect example where these terms are employed throughout the whole novel. Although it was written in the 19th Century, it applies to everyday situations. The term pride is a human way of thinking they are superior to others in every way.

Prejudice is when a person considers another person inferior to you due to social, economic, racial or religious differences. In the novel 'Pride and Prejudice', both these terms can be applied to some of the characters in it. Mr. Darcy is the perfect example to apply both these terms. He is a very proud man. We can see this when he is in the ball, he does not want to dance with anyone, "I can certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner".

It is quite obvious that Mr. Darcy believes himself to be superior to those present in the ball. Another example of his pride is his will power for not showing Elisabeth what he felt for her. "He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity". It is clear that the more he gets to know Elisabeth, the more he falls in love with her, but his way of thinking surpasses the desire of being with her. Apart from being proud, Mr. Darcy has also demonstrated his prejudice way of thinking... ".

Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with". Mr. Darcy believes that since the ladies whom Mr. Bingley was dancing with are not from his same social circle he believes they aren't worthy of his time. This is a sign of prejudice because he is treating these ladies inferior. "Mr. Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was for her. He really believed that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger".

It is quite obvious how much prejudice exists in this man's beliefs, for he is defying his feelings towards Elisabeth by believing that she is not worthy of him due to their social differences. Another character who symbolizes prejudice in this novel is Miss Bingley. "You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner - in such society; and indeed I am quite quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self of importance of all these people; what would I give to hear your strictures on them".

Miss Bingley is acting as though she was disgusted at the fact that there were many people that were not of her social status present in this ball. She saw them as inferior and was but bothered for their presence. "She did indeed Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold?

Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!" These were her comments of Elisabeth's good will of going to visit her sick sister at Mr. Bingley's house, nevertheless said right after she had gone out of the room. She thought of Elisabeth as being inferior and 'unladylike' which in those times was seen to be wrong. Mrs. Hurst had quite the same perception as Miss Bingley. "I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it". She has nice sympathies of Jane but these are disregarded by her prejudice beliefs which make her social difference become inferior.

Mr. Collins, is a character who portrays pride in this novel. He believes to be the best thing that has happened to the Bennet family because he has planned to marry one of Mr. Bennet's five daughters. "Having now a good house and very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view as he meant to choose one of the five daughters... ". This man is full of pride because he thinks he is a very noble man since hr tries to please Lady Catherine (the Lady he works for) and believes that he is noble because he compliments her daughter. "They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments...

". It seems as though he praises himself for such actions, making his pride stand out of his transparent mind. Elisabeth is also a very proud character. She wants to be independent from her parents, making her act in a proud way not caring for what others may think of her.

This is proven by her determination of visiting her sick sister at Mr. Bingley's house without being accompanied by a gentleman who in that time was considered to be 'unthinkable' to a lady. .".. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather and by herself... ". To sum up, I believe that this novel interprets the terms Pride and Prejudice in its characters.

Although both these terms are considered to be negative in modern society, it does not alter the fact that it occurs on an every day basis.