Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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.

Thesis Statement

In the novel “Pride and Prejudice”, Austin clearly depicts the British class system while presenting the stereotype families encountered during the early 19th century.

British Social Class System

The British society has often been considered to be divided into three main groups of classes:

The Upper Class

Often people with inherited wealth. Includes some of the oldest families, with many of them being titled aristocrats.

The Middle Class

The majority of the population of Britain. They include industrialists, professionals, business people and shop owners.

Lower or Working Class

People who are agricultural, mine and factory workers.

Austen follows the development of an outspoken, middle-class British woman, Elizabeth Bennet, as she encounters and overcomes the many social barriers that separate her from her aristocratic neighbors. Throughout the novel, Lizzie must confront society's class-consciousness, particularly with her family's growing relationship with the wellborn Bingleys and their friend, Mr. Darcy. It is clear that author, Jane Austen, intended Pride and Prejudice to be a parody of English society's emphasis on the social class structure, which parallels the social class system of today.

Difference in Social Status

Social class is the main form of social stratification in British society. People are graded according to economic and status differences. Some people are wealthier than others and some receive greater prestige than others. The differences between social classes are not clearly marked and they merge into one another (social mobility). But still social classes in Britain are more markedly distinguished than in Germany. This has to do with Britain being a monarchy which has had a great influence on forming social classes (e.g. the gentry, princes, lords, dukes, earls etc.). The rewarding of royal titles by the monarch twice a year (sirs, OBE's etc.) also has to do with social status.

Reflections from the Novel

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, 33).

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 ...