Stereotypes In Pride And Prejudice

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Marriage was seen as an easy escape of uncertainty for women in the 1800s, and Jane Austen argued that people would marry strictly for money and stability, rather than true love. She used Mrs. Bennet, Darcy, Bingley, and Jane, as a way to introduce the topic of how society was during this era, and the misconceptions of the stereotypes put on women. Women would marry these men to ensure that they'd continue to have social and economic stability, and would essentially have someone other than their parents to take care of them. Jane Austen displayed the truth behind Englands society and culture through a woman's perspective while writing Pride and Prejudice, which was not a common thing to be done in the 1800s. She uses her characters in the novel
Darcy was a very condescending, proud, and often times quick to judge. He was a very wealthy and desired man, and that easily went to his head, "till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company" (Austen 7). He wasn't afraid to stick his nose up at others, and was extremely shallow. His snobbish, shallow outlook towards others ultimately almost diminished his chances with Elizabeth. He was quick to judge her appearance, but never cared enough to acknowledge or appreciate what really mattered, "she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me" (Austen 8). With pride comes vanity, "where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulatio" (11.18). In the historical text, Rambler, Samuel Johnson discusses how we must go to ones private place of living to really learn what a person is truly like. Johnson says the following: "And there are others who, without any show of general goodness, and without the attractions by which popularity is conciliated, are received among their own families as bestowers of happiness, and referenced as instructors, guardians, and benefactors" (405). This relates to Darcy, because in public he is often judged for being an extremely proud and disagreeable man; yet there is a side to him that people do not know about, and even Liz realizes this while visiting his estate. He was judged for being snobbish and rude for isolating himself during parties, but no one took in account for the possibilities of him being uncomfortable in certain social situations. It's hard to believe, but Darcy is actually quite shy, and when put in uncomfortable situations, he can't help but come off as a complete snob. Liz realizes that in the eye of the public Darcy appears to be cantankerous, but around family and friends he is a complete gentleman. This proves the point of Johnson, that in order to really get to know a man, you

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