Jane Austin''s Pride and Prejudice

Introduction

In the novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, several, if not all of her characters, can verify the idea that in order to achieve happiness one must abandon their pride and in turn, replace it with self-respect accompanied by some humility (Jenkins 45). In addition, tolerance and mutual respect must replace one's prejudice.

Discussion

In the inception of the novel, the Bingley sisters, Caroline and Mrs. Hurst, exhibit their prejudice towards Jane because of their differences in social status. It is their pride that forces them to believe they are better than others solely because of the amount of money they have. It is their prejudice that causes them to earnestly avoid people of different social status and do everything their powers allow to 'protecting' family members such as Mr. Bingley from people of the lower class. Instead of realizing the love Mr. Bingley and Jane had towards each other, they allow their pride to blind them of the truth and foolishly assume that only a lady of equal status as theirs is 'worthy' of their brother's love (Heilman).

To destroy any hopes Jane might entertain of marrying Mr. Bingley, the sisters connivingly convince her that that her love for Bingley is unrequited. They continue by saying that the marriage of Bingley to Miss Darcy, who will be “hereafter our [their] sister” will “secure the happiness of so many” people (Jane 37). But towards the end of the novel, even after all their efforts and hopes of separating the two, Jane and Bingley manage to get married. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are forced to swallow their pride and make amends with Jane because they know that if they didn't, Mr. Bingley would never like them.

The Bingley sisters displayed their tolerance and mutual respect towards Jane after the lower social class prejudice was removed. Caroline Bingley's attempts to seek the affection of Mr. Darcy are another example of her lack of self-respect. Her excessive pride is evident in her confidence that Darcy “belongs” to her because of their similarities in social status. Her prejudice towards Elizabeth is evident in Caroline's constant insults of her. She comments to Elizabeth that “Darcy is a gentleman” and is out of her league. Caroline foolishly believes that she can win Darcy's affection by fawning over him. She fails to get Darcy's affection because she does not have a genuine affection for him. She seeks only to 'win' him using her money and status in society. Because of her pride and prejudice Caroline falsely believes that she can sour Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth by commenting on her low social status. Because of her prejudice towards those of "lower status" she believes that such superficial reasons will redirect Darcy's attention. She does not realize that his affection for Elizabeth is much deeper.

The end result is that social status, money, or any other force can not overcome that of love. Caroline gives up her pride to attain a slight, but ...