Najera, Adriana

Literary Analysis of Pride and Prejudice

Elegant balls, handsome, rich men, and talk of engagements and

marriages, family tribulations are subjects that Jane Austen frequently
writes about in her novel, Pride and Prejudice. In her novel, Jane
Austen also writes about class structure, manners, and high society
that took place in the 18th and 19th century. She [Elizabeth Bennet] is
tolerable: But not handsome enough to tempt me. (Austen 11). Mr.
Darcy gave his opinion of Miss Bennet after his friend, Mr. Bingley,
asked him. Jane Austen was grew up in the late 18th century to 19th
century in rural England, much like her character Elizabeth Bennet. The
title Pride and Prejudice fits the story of the book because Miss
Bennet is prejudice towards every person she encounters and makes
hasty judgments about them., to include Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy has too
much pride due to his place in the social hierarchy. Both must
overcome these characteristics before finding romance between them.
The themes of this novel are love, reputation and class.
Jane Austen showed both of Englands middle and upper classes
by introducing the Bennets as the middle class family and Lady
Catherine de Bourgh Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the snobbish and
offensive aunt of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley and his manipulative
sister Miss Bingley also represent the upper class and high society. The

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Bennets and their friends and family are part of the middle class
society.
Lady Catherine is Austens least likeable character along with
Miss Bingley. Lady Catherines character represents the older
generation of class in England. Her self-righteousness sense of
entitlement proves that high class does not mean they are the most
amicable types of people. De Bourgh always gives her opinion and
advice without being asked and is inconsiderate of others. An example
can be seen in chapter 29 when Austen says nothing was beneath this
great ladys attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of
dictating to others. (Austen, 2012)
Pride and Prejudice takes place during the late 18th and 19th
century where class, social hierarchy and reputation are the most
absolutely valued virtues. An example of this can be seen in within the
first paragraphs of the book. Mrs. Bennet, who was told this
information by her friend, is telling her husband, Mr. Bennet, that a
large estate has been occupied by a young man of large fortune..
(Austen 1), Mrs. Bennet is excited about this because the young man,
later introduced as Mr. Bingley, is single and she hopes he will fancy
one of her eldest daughters, preferably her eldest Jane. Mrs. Bennet is
clearly thinking about her reputation in their town and amongst her
friends. She wants her daughters to be married of to men who are

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wealthy in order to either maintain their place in middle class or to
advance to the higher social class.

Reference
Austen, J. (2012). Pride and prejudice. New York, NY: Barnes and Noble.