Mortal sins and how they are portrayed in the film

Pride and Prejudice

The film Pride and Prejudice, adapted from Jane Austen’s renowned novel, explores various
human flaws and societal issues. The concept of mortal sins, representing grave offenses against
moral principles, has long intrigued philosophers and artists alike. Film delves into the depths of
human flaws. Trough the lens of the Bennet family and their acquaintances, the film portrays
various mortal sins, shedding light on the consequences of pride, prejudice, envy and greed.

Venial sin becomes mortal sin when one approves it as an end …

Thomas Aquinas
In the film characters exhibit behaviors that could be seen as morally questionable or
improper within the context of the story’s setting. The actions may not align with the virtues and
moral values upheld by the Catholic Church, but they are not specifically portrayed as mortal
sins.
It’s important to note that Pride and Prejudice primarily focuses on the manners,
conversations and societal expectations of the time. The film’s emphasis is more on the
consequences of these actions in terms of reputation, social standing and personal relationships
rather than exploring moral and religious transgressions in a religious context.
Overall, while the film Pride and Prejudice does not explicitly delve into the concept of moral
sins, it does portray various behaviors that would have been deemed socially unacceptable or
improper in the 19th century English society, reflecting the moral values of the time.
Pride:
Pride stands as the one of the most prominent mortal sins explored in Pride and Prejudice. The
film represents an array of characters, notably Mr. Darsy and his initial feelings to look down on
the Bennet family, particularly Elizabeth Bennet whom he dismisses due to her lower social
status. Darsy’s haughty demeanor stems for his excessive pride, blinding him to the virtues of
others and causing him to commit grave misjudgments. His pride blinds him to the virtues and
qualities of others, creating a barrier to forming meaningful connections. However, as the story
progresses, Darsy’s transformation allows the audience to witness the consequences of his pride.
By overcoming his own arrogance and prejudices, he redeems himself, illustrating the potential
for personal growth and redemption from this moral sin.
Prejudice:
The film also delves deeply into the theme of prejudice, illustrating its destructive nature.
Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist, initially forms a strong prejudice against Mr. Darsy due to her
initial impression of his arrogance. Likewise, Darsy’s first impression of Elizabeth is clouded by
his prejudice towards her lower social status and family background. These prejudices lead both
characters to misjudge each other, resulting in misunderstanding and hurt feelings. However,
through the narrative, the film highlights the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in
overcoming prejudice and emphasizes the potential for change and the eradication of this mortal
sin.
Envy:
Envy, a corrosive emotion that breeds discontent and resentment, the desire for what others
possess, is subtly portrayed in Pride and Prejudice. The character of Caroline Bingley embodies
envy, particularly towards Elizabeth Bennet. Caroline’s envy emerges from her desire for Darsy’s
affections, which she sees threatened by Elizabeth’s charm and wit. Her attempts to undermine
and belittle Elizabeth demonstrate the poisonous effects of envy. The film serves as a cautionary
tale, highlighting the destructive power of this mortal sin, which ultimately leads to loneliness
and dissatisfaction.
Greed:
While less explicit, the theme of greed subtly surfaces in the film through the character of Mr.
Wickham. Wickham, driven by his insatiable desire for wealth and social standing, manipulates
and deceives others to achieve his materialistic goals. His actions highlight the detrimental
effects of greed, which corrupts relationships and undermines trust. By Wickham’s self-serving
motives against the genuine love and care exhibited by other characters, the film warns against
the perils of this mortal sin and underscores the importance of integrity and virtue. Also greed is
subtly presented within Mrs. Bennet. Her constant obsession with marrying off her daughters
stems from her desire to secure their financial futures and elevate her social standing. Mrs.
Bennet actions are driven by her greed for advantageous matches, often overlooking the
importance of genuine compatibility and love.
Wrath:
While not prominently displayed, instances of wrath can be observed in the film. Elizabeth’s
prejudice towards Darcy initially fuels her anger and harsh judgments, leading her to reject his
initial proposal vehemently. Similarly, the character of Lady Catherine de Bourgh exhibits wrath
in her strong opposition to Darcy’s desire to marry Elizabeth, displaying her disdain for anyone
she deems unworthy of association with her family.
Sloth:
The sin of sloth, characterized by laziness or apathy, can be observed through Mr. Collins. His
lack of ambition and dedication to personal growth hinder his potential for self-improvement.
Mr. Collins simply follows societal expectations and remains content with his status, rather than
striving for personal achievement or fulfillment.
Gluttony:
The sin gluttony, excessive indulgence, is not explicitly portrayed in the film. However, one can
argue that the lavish parties and social events depicted throughout Pride and Prejudice
symbolize a form of gluttonous excess in Regency-era society. The upper-class characters
immerse themselves in a whirlwind of frivolity and extravagance, prioritizing superficial
pleasures over deeper connections.
Lust:
While the film does not delve into explicit sexual content, the theme of lust can be explored
through the characters’ romantic pursuits. Various characters, such as Wickham and Lydia,
showcase a lustful desire for physical pleasure, prioritizing immediate gratification over moral
considerations. Additionally, the palpable chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy suggests a
passionate longing that evolves into a deeper emotional connection.

Pride and Prejudice, both as novel and a film adaptation, masterfully explores the theme of
mortal sins. Trough the portrayal of pride, prejudice, envy, greed, wrath, sloth, gluttony and lust,
the film serves as a mirror, reflecting the flaws and vices inherent in human nature. By delving
into the consequences of these sins, the story reminds us of the importance of self-reflection,
personal growth, and the pursuit of virtues to overcome our inherent failings. Ultimately, Pride
and Prejudice encourages viewers to examine their own flaws, contemplate the impact of mortal
sins, and strive redemption and mortal enlightenment.

The seven deadly sins are wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony. It is said that these
sins are mortal because they lead to spiritual death.
Unknown author

Jelena Marinković, 64/22

Dizajn enterijera – A grupa ,
2022/23