Complex Relationships in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2262 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Parent and child relationship in Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice: Complex Relationships

This paper will discuss the relationships between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Jane and Mr. Bingley, Mother and Father , Lydia and Wickham, and the Mother and her daughters . The book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is all about the relationships that the Bennet Family has with one another and the people they lead in. My reasoning behind this discussion of their relationships is to provide yet another outsider look on how it looks. I have read a couple of article and I feel like most individuals get the relationships very off, the story is very simple and give a good step by step presentation of how the relationships work bout.

Pride and Prejudice primarily focuses on Elizabeth and the progression of her relationship with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, upper class , somewhat of a snobby man initially didn't really care for her when they were introduction at a public dance. Her first impression of Mr.Darcy leads to Elizabeth having a negative first impression of him but also giving her the impression that he is a miserable individual. Also at one point when Mr.Bingley ask if he thinks the Bennet girls are attractive and Elizabeth overhears him saying the she is, “barely tolerable”, which doesn't help her first impression of Mr. Darcy. This dislike is reinforced when she meets the interesting and good looking Mr. Wickham, a lieutenant in the nearby militia.

Wickham then leads Elizabeth to believe that he has been unfairly treated by Darcy. Elizabeth is persuaded that her prejudice against Darcy is right on and that her initial feelings shouldn't be brushed off. Elizabeth is then surprised when Darcy declares his love for her and proposes. But he expresses his love for her in a ...

... middle of paper ...

...ionship is they see it more prudent to do so.

Lydia and Wickham follow absolutely none of these mentioned parts to a successful relationship. To compare it to present-day relationships, their marriage most closely resembles a drunken Vegas wedding. There is no thought of the future or consequences and no communication between the two parties. They meet, have a fun day and then run away together, just like couples in Vegas who wake up the next morning regretting what they have done. After the excitement of marriage wears off, Lydia will most likely see the error of her ways and realize that she is not happy with Wickham and if she had communicated with him prior to their elopement, she could have realized it and never married him. By observing the relationship and marriage of Lydia and Wickham, one can learn exactly how to an unsuccessful relationship.

Show More
Related

  • Themes Of Marriage In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

    1258 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since the beginning of time, marriage exists as a large part of life. The values of marriage change on a year to year basis and as trends continue to change so will marriage. There have been numerous reasons for marriage throughout time such as arranged, wealth, love or many others. In the 18th century, many marriages were based on one’s class and wealth and not true love. Today, many marriages do not take wealth or class into account they focus on that person’s inner self and love. Marriage exists as an overlying theme throughout Pride and Prejudice and every marriage appears for a different reason.

    Read More

  • Essay On Mr Darcy Character Development

    1037 Words  | 3 Pages

    Darcy’s proposals help to manifest his personal growth by showing the difference in his manner, rationale, and result. His haughty words and actions are the crux of his indifference towards the feelings of others in the beginning of the novel. Although Mr. Darcy is ignorant of his own highfalutin attitude at first, the rejection of his proposal by Elizabeth is just the tocsin he needs to salvage the small amount of respect she still had for him. Through her rejection, he comes to terms with his own pride and prejudice against Elizabeth and her family. Also, he realizes that she is not one to marry for money or social status, but she wants to marry a man that she truly loves, which is a surprise to him. This radical modification of his attitude results in a second marriage proposal for Elizabeth, where he genuinely expresses his feelings. Although he is uncertain of her answer, he simply wants to make his love for her known. The slightly astonished Elizabeth immediately recognizes how much the tone and motive in his second proposal have changed from his first and also reveals her love for him. Mr. Darcy’s two proposals do not simply act as means to communicating his feeling to Elizabeth, but as a documentation of his significant change in

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast the Two Proposals in Pride And Prejudice

    1462 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a retaliation Elizabeth stuns Darcy by refusing his proposal very harshly stating "I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry." This shows the extent of her prejudice against Darcy as she says that even from the beginning she disliked him. She condemns him for his arrogant manner in which he proposed his actions to separate Jane and Bingley and his actions of unfairness on Wickham. He accepts these accusations without apology, even with contempt. However, he flinches when she accuses him of not behaving like a gentleman and when Elizabeth finishes her denunciation of him, Darcy angrily departs.

    Read More

  • Social Norms in Jane Austen´s Pride and Prejudice

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is well-noted for its ability to question social norms. Most importantly, Austen explores the institution of marriage, as it was in her time, a time where many married for security rather than love. Her characters Elizabeth and Charlotte are renowned even more for their outspoken nature and different views on marriage. Though both Elizabeth and Charlotte yearn for a happy marriage, Charlotte has a more pragmatic and mundane approach while Elizabeth is more romantic and daring with her actions. Through the romantic involvements of both Elizabeth and Charlotte, Austen shows that happiness in marriage is not entirely a matter of chance, but is instead contingent on an accurate evaluation of self and others Elizabeth’s view on Jane and Bingely’s relationship is more hopeful, while Charlotte possesses a more aggressive view.

    Read More

  • Elizabeth Bennett Pride And Prejudice Analysis

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the novel, Elizabeth Bennett’s first meeting with Mr. Darcy was marred by Mr. Darcy’s pride to which, “Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him.” At the end of the novel, after Elizabeth learns the truth and unravels her prejudice against Darcy, she begins to realize that she does have feelings for him. During their first meeting

    Read More

  • Elizabeth In Pride And Prejudice Essay

    786 Words  | 2 Pages

    Elizabeth realizes her prejudice against Darcy and changes to accept him by regretting her first rejection of him. She finally admits to herself that she loves Darcy although doubt makes her think that she no longer stands a chance with him. Moreover, she states her appreciation of Darcy once she learns that he saved Lydia from disgrace and as such swallows her pride and when Darcy asks for her hand in marriage, Elizabeth is wiser and accepts.

    Read More

  • Infatuation Of Marriage In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    She emphasizes that marriages can only be successful if they are founded on mutual love. Elizabeth and Darcy 's relationship is really different from all the others in the novel. Elizabeth does not care about him being super rich and he does not find her the most beautiful. At the beginning, he thinks she is “tolerable”. They do not like each other at the beginning, they argue a lot and are really sassy towards each other. They are the opposite of amiable. Their relationship is far beyond just physical attraction. Darcy secretly helps out with Lydia 's situation. He does not want Elizabeth to be hurt nor does he want her family to ruin their repuation. He helps Elizabeth and does not bring it up, let alone brag about it. Love is not boastful. This shows the reader how contrasting Darcy and Collins ' characters are. “Elizabeth 's heart did whisper, that he had done it for her...” She has a feeling that Darcy is the one who helped out but she is not one hundred percent sure. Elizabethis wistful about saying so many bad things about him and she regrets her little speech when she rejected him. Unlike every other character in this novel, Darcy and Elizabeth took things slowly. Darcy purposes to her after a long time, when he was sure about his feelings for her. Even when she rejects him once he did not ask her over and over again, unlike

    Read More

  • Pride and Perception in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

    637 Words  | 2 Pages

    Elizabeth's first impressions of Wickham and Darcy come from social interaction. At a ball in Meryton, Darcy's "character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again" (Austen 11). This quick opinion of Darcy's character opposes the opinions of Wickham. He appeared "far beyond them all in person, countenance, air and walk." Wickham also seemed, "the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned" (Austen 66). Elizabeth makes a quick judgement of both the characters and personalities of Darcy and Wickham. "Elizabeth is completely taken in by the almost transparent duplicity of Mr. Wickham regarding himself and his relations with Mr. Darcy and the Darcy family" (Moler, 25). These drastic perceptions affect her feelings for Darcy. Elizabeth chooses to befriend Wickham, and in turn learns much about Darcy from him. "Eliza...

    Read More

  • Brief Commentary on Jane Austen´s Pride and Prejudice

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...is point, her feelings begin to change. Over time and much thought, she starts to gradually develop feelings for Mr. Darcy. These feelings reach their peak after Lydia’s elopement with Mr. Wickham. ELizabeth discovers that Mr. Darcy stepped in and convinced Wickham to do the respectful thing and marry Lydia, and even obtains a position in the Northern Regiment for him. Love slips into Elizabeth’s gratitude towards Mr. Darcy, and she soon realizes her affection for him.

    Read More

  • Pride and Prejuice

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pride and Prejudice is a story of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five unmarried daughters---Jane, Elizabeth, Marry, Kitty, and Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are desperate to see them all married. News is that a wealthy young gentleman named Charles Bingley has rented the estate of Netherfield Park near the Bennet estate. Mr. Bennet decides to make a special visit to Mr. Bingley to talk about his eldest daughter Jane. The Bennets attend a ball where Mr. Bingley is present and is taken by Jane and spends the whole night dancing with her. Mr. Bingley brought with him his friend, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is arrogant and not very pleased with the evening and out of arrogance, refuses to dance with Elizabeth.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Mr Wickham And Darcy

    1961 Words  | 4 Pages

    Darcy’s, Mr. Wickham is received well by Elizabeth when they first encounter one another. Wickham seems to embody what any and every eligible young woman should desire in a partner, except for wealth. “Mr. Wickham…was happy to say he had accepted a commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best parts of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation – a readiness at the same perfectly correct and unassuming…” (Austen 49). Mr. Wickham shows traits that make him appear to be a good, well-mannered man. He exudes a confidence and likability that allows him to be met with positive impressions and left with an affirmative encounter.

    Read More

  • The Development of Characters in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

    1013 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, Austen uses Mr. Bennet to help develop the characters; in like manner, Austen uses Mr. Bennet to help develop the plot.

    Read More

  • Literary Analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

    1623 Words  | 4 Pages

    While this is going on, Mr. Darcy realizes he has feelings for Elizabeth and proposes to her, this is the climax of the novel. She is astonished by his actions, and turns him flat. She explains that she feels he is arrogant, and feels he stood in the way of Jane and Mr. Bingley marrying, and also feels he is a cruel man, especially in his treating of Mr. Wickham, she is expressing her prejudice towards him. He leaves and they part very angry with each other. Mr. Darcy then writes Elizabeth a letter, explaining his feelings, defending his actions, and revealing the true nature of Mr. Wickham.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Women In Pride And Prejudice

    1039 Words  | 3 Pages

    She is the most intelligent and clever, very different from all her sisters. Lizzie believes in love and is willing to stay old and single rather than marrying for any other interest other than true love. Elizabeth is the protagonist and one of the most well-known female characters in English literature (SP1). Her honesty, assets, and lively intelligence allow her to rise above the nonsense and bad behavior that infiltrate her class-bound and vicious society. Though, her sharp tongue and tendency to make quick judgments to stand up for herself when she feels disrespected often lead her afield. Pride and Prejudice is basically the story of how she and her “true love”, Darcy, overcome all obstacles including their own personal failings to find romantic happiness after

    Read More

  • The Theme of Marriage in Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

    832 Words  | 2 Pages

    single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

    Read More

More about Complex Relationships in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Open Document