Prejudice

Choose two incidents which show “Prejudice”. How do these two incidents help your understanding of the Theme of Prejudice in the novel?

Prejudice is one of the main themes of the novel. The Meryton Ball and Lady Catherine’s first meeting of Elizabeth at Rosings, exemplified prejudice and helped the reader to comprehend the important role, prejudice plays in the events of the book.

The Meryton assembly is the basis of Elizabeth’s marked prejudice towards Mr. Darcy. He “drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien”. He was initially accepted wholeheartedly by the people “till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity”. His shyness is immediately assumed as haughtiness and his image is forever tainted due to his first impression. As Elizabeth later comments “The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy is so violent, that it would be the death of half the good people in Meryton to attempt to place him in an amiable light”. Elizabeth herself is one of the main people to take up this prejudice to view against Darcy, as he had refused to dance with her and had said “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me”. She thus “remained with no very cordial feelings toward him”. The people of Meryton readily came to a conclusion that Darcy was the “most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing”, without even knowing his character. Therefore Elizabeth’s prejudice stems from her pride. Her pride is offended when he refused to dance with her.

The second incident shows prejudice after Lady Catherine was introduced to Elizabeth at Rosings. Lady Catherine “seemed quite astonished at” Elizabeth’s straightforward manner. She expected Elizabeth to be a docile considering her lack of connections and questioned her rudely. “Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions but answered them very composedly”. Lady Catherine exclaimed at her family’s upbringing and shamelessly uttered, “five daughters...