How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme

How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme

Many times in life a person will feel awkward or insecure in a strange environment.

At home, one may feel comfortable and relaxed. This brings about the phrase “home sweet home.'; This same idea helps contribute to the central meaning of Jane Austen’s work Pride and Prejudice. The two establishments of Netherfield and Pemberley are as different as night and day in the way they bring out the attitudes and actions of

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

In Netherfield, it is evident that pride is part of Mr. Darcy’s nature and is seen in his mannerisms and in his speech. Darcy has such a high opinion of himself that he does not care what other think of him or his prideful actions. He believes that he is the best in every way possible and finds that his standing in society gives him the right to be critical of those not as perfect as he is. For example, while staying at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy attends the ball in Meryton where he walks about the room by himself and speaks “occasionally to one of his own party.'; He makes no attempt at being friendly or becoming acquainted with anyone. His character is decided as being the “proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come their again.'; This is the same type of attitude and pride that possesses Mr. Darcy for the remainder of the time that he spends at Netherfield. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy acts with a certain sense of “perfect civility';, friendliness, and attentiveness when he is at Pemberley, his home. He seems more relaxed and acts without the feeling of improper pride that he had previously possessed. For instance, Darcy invites Mr. Gardiner, “with the greatest civility';, to fish at

Pemberley “as often as he chose.'; Darcy even suggests that he could “supply him with fishing tackle'; and point out the parts of the stream “where there was usually more sport.';

This is a side of Darcy that Elizabeth has not seen before and it causes her to grow more fond of him.

The contrasting places, Netherfield and Pemberley, show two completely different sides of Jane, as well. In the beginning, at Netherfield, she sees Darcy as an arrogant, prideful man whom she would never have intentions of marrying. Her despise toward the man only grows as the novel progresses. Ironically, she is just as guilty of being proud as

Mr. Darcy. She prides herself on being unprejudiced and rational in the judgement of