Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is an early 20th century enchanting love story that has come to be cherished by all due to its twisting plot and deep characters. Many of these twists in the plot come in the form of obstacles delaying the relationship of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Some of these obstacles include differences in social class, first impressions, prejudices of peers, entanglements involving Mr. Wickham, and each of their pride.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett come from different social classes in a time where social class meant everything, posing as a barrier between their relationship. Mr. Darcy was exceedingly wealthy, and lived in a lavish mansion that could impress anyone. Elizabeth comes from a lower class family, and lives in a house that upon her father’s death will no longer be in her family but rather passed on to her uncle Mr. Collins. "About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases” (Ch. 13). This inevitable loss of property shows the family’s poor financial standing, and dire need to have all their daughters be married off soon, preferably well, but also makes Elizabeth an undesirable wife, financially speaking, for Mr. Darcy. In a conversation between Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam, the ties between marriage and financial gain are made evident, "’Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often do.’ ‘Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to money’” (Ch. 33). In the society in which Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy live in, marriage is more of a business agreement than a matter solely based on true love, allowing for the differing social classes to be such a hindrance to their...