Analytical Essay:

Pride & Prejudice

The progress between Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s relationship, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) illustrates and explores several the key themes in the novel. Their relationship highlights class expectations, pride and prejudice, and marriage, and how they play a major role in determining the course of their association. These are outlined through their first prejudiced dislike of each other when they first meet, the stronger feelings for Elizabeth that develop on Darcy’s side, her rejection in Darcy’s first proposal, then her change of opinion and lastly the mutual love they form for one another. Pride and Prejudice is set up as a satire, commenting on human idiocy, and Jane Austen …show more content…

It is also ironic for him to place Elizabeth higher than him, showing the importance of dialogue. She is also angry at him as he insults her family and her inferiority, he wasn’t behaving gentlemanly to her and he prevented Bingley and Jane from eloping, also showing prejudice from Darcy to Jane.

After the proposal, Darcy writes her a letter explaining his actions. He couldn’t see the love in Jane, displaying his prejudice, and told her the truth about Wickham. The letter reveals the reasons for the way he behaves and consequently provides a turning point in the conquering of his pride. Elizabeth reads it, and her prejudice has also been overcome. She states "How despicably have I acted!' she cried. - 'I, who have prided myself on my discernment! - I, who have valued myself on my abilities!" Elizabeth “grew absolutely ashamed of herself…feeling that she had been blind, partial, absurd.” Elizabeth’s prejudice has now disappeared, and has a new outlook on Darcy, and sees him truly as she is. She develops a mutual respect for him, and her love for him grows through the events that take place. He is no longer concerned with class expectations, and his pride and prejudice have been overcome with their marriage. This enhances the importance of letters in the novel.

In conclusion, the development of Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s relationship, through its