Dialectical Journal For Pride And Prejudice Essay

1. The very first lines of the story sets the tone and setting of this book. It explains that in order for a man to be successful, he needs a wife. It lays the foundation for the idea that a women depends on man to survive in society. Wealthy, upper class men were the biggest targets for a women to marry because marriage was the entrance into high society. Mrs. Bennet exclaims, “Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls! (Austen 2)” This shows the dependence of women on man and the hope a promising bachelor gives to a family of daughters. Women were raised to be promising wives for man. Learning to cook, play instruments, look pretty, and clean were all essential

to winning a man’s interest. The Bennet’s chose their most promising daughter, Jane, and left her fate in the hands of Mr. Bingely and his taste in women. The first line of the novel set the tone for the novel and showed the reader that it is not about a man’s character, but his wealth and social status.
2.

Pride and Prejudice is a better title for this novel because the characters all show these traits. First impressions relates to Darcy, Elizabeth, and Wickham but it does not drive the story like “Pride and Prejudice” does. Darcy and Elizabeth show pride and prejudice from the first time they meet. Mr. Darcy tells Mr. Bingley, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men… you are wasting your time with me. (Austen 38)” He immediately looked past Elizabeth because of his pride. He continues to hold his prejudice of her low status and that prevents them from becoming close. Elizabeth allowed her pride to prevent her from allowing herself to talk to Darcy. She believes he has poor character and that notion stays with her throughout most of the novel. Her prejudice leads her to trust in a manipulative man, Wickham, and allowed Wickham to further influence her opinion of Darcy with his

stories.
3. Marriage, one of the major themes of the novel, shows the reader that people marry for a variety of reasons and not just for “true love”. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins to escape her life of little opportunity and little wealth. She tells Elizabeth “I’m twenty-seven years old, I’ve no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents and I’m frightened. (Austen 93)” She possesses no true love for Mr. Collins, however, he is a good investment for her. Elizabeth and Darcy marry out of love. First needing the overcome their differences, they learn about the other’s character and slowly fall in love. Wickham is bribed into a marriage with Lydia to protect the Bennet’s reputation. Although Lydia fell for Wickham, Wickham marries her only because Darcy bribes him a large amount of money. People marry for various reasons but wealth and social class is the most common in the Victorian era.
4. Elizabeth expresses her independence when she turns down Mr. Collin’s marriage proposal. Mr. Collins is a wealthy man and next in line for the Bennet’s property, but she replies to his proposal with, “You could not make me happy, and I am convinced I am the last woman in the world who would make you happy…(Austen 73)” She infuriated Mrs. Bennet but felt confident in her decision. When Elizabeth tells Lady Catherine she will not promise to refuse Darcy’s proposal, she shows more independence and wit. Elizabeth made herself the victim of her own actions by denying Darcy’s marriage proposal. Darcy seeks other prospective women, while Elizabeth slowly realizes she loves him. Although Elizabeth’s decision led her to her happy ending, the story could have easily taken a turn with her fate. Darcy could have married someone else, while Elizabeth is forced to live like Charlotte - a single 27 year old woman. Fortunately, Darcy sought to win Elizabeth through his true character.
5.

Elizabeth’s love towards Mr. Darcy does bring questions towards the idea of love. This is because Elizabeth’s love for Mr. Darcy grows without direct contact. When Elizabeth visits Darcy’s home she realizes she has feelings for Darcy, and learns about his character. The house is a mirror to Darcy’s character himself. It is well kept, clean, and “real”. These feelings of love arose from admiration. Elizabeth falls for Darcy through learning about his character. At the same time, the author allows the reader to see Darcy admiring and taking interest in Elizabeth and her wit. Darcy says, "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you (Austen 34)” Darcy shows the reader that he has been struck with admiration for some

time.
6. Mr. Darcy seems attracted to Elizabeth because she starts to be a challenge to him. Mr. Darcy starts first to admire Elizabeth when she is determined not to dance with him because of her grudge. Elizabeth takes a long time to realize Mr. Darcy’s true feelings because she is blinded by her prejudice towards him, his treatment of Mr. Wickham, and his role in the prevention of Mr. Bingley from marrying Jane. Elizabeth begins to admire Mr. Darcy when she learns about the role he played in Lydia and Mr. Wickham’s marriage. She now feels obligated to pay back Mr. Darcy for saving her family. This feeling is important because it shows that Elizabeth cares about her family’s social status. Elizabeth even states, “In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal (Austen 56).” This shows that Elizabeth sizes herself up to Mr. Darcy’s social status to be justified in marrying him.

7. Although much of the novel’s theme is about social status, Austen disregards it in the end. Elizabeth and Jane took notice in one’s social status as well as their own throughout the novel. Elizabeth later believes she is of equal status with Darcy. Elizabeth says “In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal (Austen 56).” This declaration of equality is ironic because their differing social statuses caused the conflict between Darcy and Elizabeth in the beginning of the novel. This difference shows that Austen believes the social standards are not important. She critiques Elizabeth and Jane because they were raised to be aware of social status and considerations.
8. The feeling of love is exciting and stressful It is one in which a reader can relate too. This is why the book can be read over and over again. Austen writes many different scenarios of love and shows the various possibilities for an outcome. Marriage was merely a business transaction in the Victorian Era and reading one of true love was uncommon. All the marriages in the novel relate to wealth and status, however, Darcy and Elizabeth marry each other out of admiration and possibly, true love. This twist in novel creates controversy and contradictions in the reason one marries. Austen does well to address the different kinds of marriages to the audience. Each reader can relate to a situation in one way or another.
9. Catherine realizes Elizabeth is close to marrying Darcy, and she cannot allow it. She explains Elizabeth will not marry Darcy because he is of a higher social class than she is. “Your alliance will be a disgrace, your name will never be mentioned by any of us”. This explains the view of marriage in the Victorian Era. True love is not a necessity in marriage, only wealth and status. Elizabeth falls for Darcy because she slowly learns about his true character. The irony in the novel falls with Elizabeth and her rejection of Darcy because of his character. Now, she wants Darcy’s proposal because he is such a good man.
10. The novel was a reflection of the way society operated in the Victorian Era but Austen honed in on marriages and courtships. Women had the duty of learning talents to impress a wealthy man. Most men would marry to the women they find most attractive as seen with Mr. Bennet. However, Charlotte married to escape her low status and old age. She explains, “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” Elizabeth and Darcy differ in the sense that Elizabeth chooses to marry Darcy because of his good character. The different views and types of marriage or love in the novel strengthens the story line, Austen makes the ideal relationship Elizabeth’s because it’s based on love and one’s character. Austen may want to show the reader many reasons to marry during the Victorian Era, but shows happiness falls with the choice of love and character.