Kashyap Patel

8/20/16
Pd. 8
Mr. Asmussen
Pride and Prejudice
Throughout human society people have been split based on class, wealth, ethnicity,
gender and other social variables. The novel Pride and
Prejudice by Jane Austen is a story
written about Elizabeth Bennet and her familys life in the 1800s and tells the story of their
desire to be wed. Mr. Darcy, a potential groom, is a perfect example of a person who was so
obsessed by the society's values that he was actually hurting himself by adhering to them. His
beliefs towards Elizabeth were alienated due to her gender and class in society which prevented
them from falling in love in the first place. Therefore, Darcy's alienation of beliefs of gender, and
class directly led to his eventual opinion of Elizabeth as a wife which reveals the warped values
of England in the 1800s.
To begin, Darcy's view of women is shaped by what he had been taught during his
childhood. Darcy grew up believing wealth and class dictated his social circles and marital
prospects. Darcy states, She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. (Austen, 3)
Darcy believes that Elizabeth is not good enough to be married to and will not even consider
dancing with her. Society in the 1800s heavily valued social events such as balls, therefore this
slight is a problem for Elizabeth. However, what Darcy does not realize is Elizabeth is not like
other women of the time period and eventually that is what leads him to fall in love. Also,
Darcys standards for women are very high and include his wishes them to conform to his
preferences and beliefs without a second thought. Darcy says, she must yet add something more

substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading." (Austen, 24) In context,
Darcy wishes for women to be well read, but only so that they may agree with him and not
develop their own ideas. Elizabeth is not a women who would conform like he wishes and
therefore causes the women around her, who do conform, to mock her. Thus, Darcys deformed
views of society are reflective of how society as a whole felt about women in the 1800s and in
Pride and Prejudice.
Furthermore, class plays a major role in the novel which negatively affects both Darcy
and Elizabeth. Austen uses class in the novel to point out everything wrong with society in the
1800s and is able to portray the issues that come with pride. Darcy believes, Where there is a
real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation. (Austen, 35) Darcy is
affirming his belief that his pride is justifiable due to his obvious wealth and intellectual ability,
and therefore his higher class than Elizabeth. Although, with his immense pride Darcy does not
realize that he is pushing new people away from him due to his arrogance. This feeling of class
superiority is evident throughout the novel and the real world which illustrates the flaws of a
society that follows these beliefs. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell
you how ardently I admire and love you. While it may seem like a sweet display of love, Darcy
is also stating that he can not help his love even with Elizabeths lower class. Darcy still thinks
he is above Elizabeth due to her poor connections and her condition in life which makes him
believe his love of Elizabeth is imperfect. Therefore, Darcys twisted opinion of his own love of
Elizabeth highlights the struggles that couples have faced in the 1800s due to the societal chains
that keep their classes seperate.

In conclusion, the depiction of Mr. Darcy helps the reader understand the rifts that have
formed in Englands society in the 1800s. Darcys opinion of Elizabeth is shaped by his opinion
of a womens role in society and the important of her class which was taught to him by society.
Thus, Pride and Prejudice depicts the flaws in society that have been slowly changing as the
world modernizes and both prejudice and pride are diminishing.