Happiness In Pride And Prejudice Research Paper

How Pride and Prejudice Barriers Happiness In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, social class and the expectation of happiness in marriage strongly drives the characters’ decisions. The main characters' decisions are strongly influenced by their pride in themselves and their prejudice against others. Throughout the novel Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy and those of higher class as well as her pride in her judgment, and Darcy’s pride in his social standing cause conflict for themselves, as well as their friends and family , including Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, and Jane. Due to their pride and prejudice, Darcy and Elizabeth block themselves and their peers from achieving happiness.

Throughout the novel, the protagonist, Elizabeth,

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As Darcy allowed his prejudice of the lower class to foil his proposal, Elizabeth is extremely offended. This leaves Darcy ashamed and dismayed. Darcy not only wanes his chances with Elizabeth, but now has to enter into a relationship with someone other than Elizabeth, Ms. Caroline Bingley, his best friends sister who happens to be of the same class and also, whom he does not care for. Caroline is snooty and obnoxious, irritating both Darcy and others, "How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such a letter!” Ms. Bingley cried. He made no answer.”You write uncommonly fast.” "You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.” "How many letters you must have occasion to write in the course of a year! Letters of business, too! How odious I should think them!” "It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of yours.” "Pray tell your sister that I long to see her.” "I have already told her so once, by your desire.” "I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I mend pens remarkably well.” "Thank you—but I always mend my own.” "How can you contrive to write so even?” He was

For example, Elizabeth’s pride causes her to refuse proposals, which hinders the contempt of her mother, who desperately wishes to see her daughters married to rich men. Mrs. Bennet is excited once she learns of Collins’ plan to marry Elizabeth, alas Elizabeth refuses him, prompting her mother’s disappointment,“This information however startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting against his proposal, but she dared not believe it and could not here saying so.” (Austen 20.) Following the refusal of Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet is extremely disappointed as she will not see her goal of her daughters marrying wealthy men. Elizabeth refused him due to her vanity and prejudice against upper-class rich men, disappointing her mother. She also hurts Mr. Collins pride in himself by refusing his proposal, “My dear madam' replied he, ‘let us be for ever silent on this point. Far be it from me,” he presently continued in a voice that marked his displeasure, ‘to resent the behavior, I am resigned.” (Austen 20. ) Collins is embarrassed and affronted by Elizabeth’s refusal, so much so, that he enters into an unhappy and loveless marriage with her best friend, that he had not originally planned. Finally, Darcy’s pride also gets in the way of Bingley, his best