Pride, Prejudice and Social Class

          Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, and published in 1813, incorporates the themes of the title, including pride, prejudice and societal class, all being intertwined together. Pride in many of the different characters interferes with their relationships and places a barrier between various couples, as seen most prominently in Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s relationship. Upon first introduction, Darcy’s pride regarding his "superiority of wealth" or "rank of class," leads him to judge others and acts condescendingly to those who are not within his social circle. Conversely, Elizabeth’s overly confident nature clouds her ability to fairly judge others, and causes her to think ill of Mr. Darcy. Ultimately, both characters resolve that their opinions of each other may be ill-represented, and thus, are able to overcome their pride in judgement in order to find genuine happiness.
          Intermingled throughout the novel, is the theme of prejudice which is intimately related to that of pride. Elizabeth shares her prejudice against Mr. Darcy for his inconsiderate ability to scorn those who are not as financially stable as himself; whereas, Mr. Darcy must overcome his prejudice against Elizabeth regarding her low societal connections, in order to see that she may actually be a suitable wife. While the theme of social class or societal ranking is always present between any two individuals, the novel, "does not call for the leveling of all social classes." It does though overly criticize and emphasize the need for people to meet their "equal" particularly if one is to be getting married. As a result, Mr. Darcy, whose pride and prejudice is founded upon his high social class status, decides he cannot accept this position. By the end of the novel, Darcy even rebukes his upbringing saying that he was taught from a young age "to care for none beyond [his] own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly on their sense of worth compared with [his] own." The ‘perception’ of a higher status, caused those who were seemingly inferior, to despise those of higher rank. Could it be that almost 200 years later, we’ve actually become more tolerant about social status, societal classes and wealth? Perhaps, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, is actually timeless!