Social Construction

Most living creatures abide by a social structure of some sort. Between groups of animals there is the dominance of the Alpha and the submission of the Omega. Among humans there is a similar setup, but rather than size and strength, it depends mainly on circumstance. A person’s circumstance often includes wealth, reputation, and social standing, and a lack of the things seems like an inferiority. Some embrace this shortsightedness, while others fight to change it. Jane Austen, a female author in the late 1700s and early 1800s, is one of those fighters. In her novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen uses the romance between a high society gentleman, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and middle class lady, Elizabeth Bennet, to break common social class

Darcy is one of the most controversial characters, and from the very beginning has two sides to him that show a person with only a shell of high society attitudes. In the article "Themes and Construction: Pride and Prejudice" it notes that “What separates Elizabeth and Darcy from the silly minor characters [...] is their ability and willingness to learn and grow, to overcome their initial shortcomings” (Themes). It is undeniable that Darcy began with a considerable amount of both pride and prejudice. Darcy’s first comments about Elizabeth support this conjecture when he states, “‘she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me…’” (Austen 35). This comes from a prejudice against the lower social class, and even after realizing his attraction, Darcy tries to hide it under the notion that Elizabeth is inferior. When it becomes too much to ignore, however, Darcy begins to break away from his upbringing. He attempts to court Elizabeth, and even proposes, only to be rejected. Though angry, he attempts to fix his ways to show his love and overcomes his prejudice of the lower class. According to critic Elizabeth Jenkins, Darcy’s attitude may stem from“ a family likeness, accentuated on

Austen’s romance between Darcy and Elizabeth is an ongoing struggle that provides more depth to the subject at hand. Darcy’s internal struggles and sacrifices made for Elizabeth show a true admiration and love for her. One of his own struggles is with George Wickham, who tried to take advantage of Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana just to get her inheritance. Despite his wish to never associate with Wickham again, Darcy becomes involved when the man uses the same scam on Elizabeth’s younger sister, Lydia. Darcy uses his own money to pay debts owed so that the Bennets can live in peace, and does not ask for praise. When questioned by Elizabeth on the subject, Darcy stresses to her that “‘your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of you.’” (Austen 362). The act would be degrading in some respects for a high class man like Darcy, and even then he does not trade that degradation for Elizabeth’s admiration. He does this act willingly and does not expect Elizabeth to return his affections. He even says he will never propose again if her feelings have not changed. However, by this point Elizabeth has also gone through a profound change herself. It is not certain as to when Elizabeth had the shift in feelings, but it is clear what act proves her affections. The