Pride and Prejudice

1. Pride and Prejudice Themes

2. Themes • Pride--it prevents the characters from seeing the truth of a situation. Both Darcy and Elizabeth embody this trait. Darcy’s pride in his position within society leads him to scorn anyone outside of his social circle. Elizabeth’s vanity clouds her judgment.

3. Themes • Prejudice--pride and prejudice are closely related in this novel. Darcy’s pride is founded on social prejudice. Elizabeth’s initial prejudice is rooted in her own quick, first impressions.

4. Themes • Education--Austen portrays the family as the moral educator. Additionally, the importance of a governess or tutors, and the refinement of an accomplished young man or woman is vital to making a good match in society. Intellect as well as moral education play a vital role wherever they are learned in this novel.

5. Themes • Woman and Marriage--Austen is critical of the gender injustices of the 19th century Victorian society. The novel demonstrates how many women such as Charlotte Lucas needed to marry men they were not in love with simply in order to gain financial security and some place within society. Clearly, Austen believes that women are as intelligent and capable as men, and considers their inferior status in society as unjust.

6. Themes • Class--Austen criticizes the over-emphasis on social class during the Victorian period. Darcy’s pride is based on his class consciousness. Yet, eventually he sees that factors other than wealth determine who truly belongs in the aristocracy. The comic formality of Mr. Collins and his hero-worship of Lady Catherine serve as a satire of class consciousness.

7. Themes • Virtue--Austen uses the popular Christian views of the period to make the comment that human beings must guide their appetites and desires through their use of reason. Lydia seems almost completely devoid of virtue because she has never trained herself to discipline her passions. Once a woman’s reputation is tainted, it cannot be cleansed.

8. Themes • Manners--Austen uses a range of characters to discuss the importance of manners and etiquette prevalent during the Victorian period. Mrs. Bennet’s complete lack of manners in a social setting are Austen’s means of debating the importance of etiquette and decorum during the period.

9. Themes • Coincidence--Austen’s uncanny ability to place characters in “the right place at the right time” are a trademark of her writing. When Darcy arrives a day early to find Elizabeth and the Gardiner’s visiting Pemberly, the sequence of events begin anew to bring the characters back together.