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The Ways the Theme of Pride and Prejudice is Revealed Through the Characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy

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The Ways the Theme of Pride and Prejudice is Revealed Through the Characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy

In Austen's time it was typical of people of a higher status to look down on people below them; to be totally blinded by pride and to be prejudiced against those who have less wealth, connections and social status than them. People of a lower status also were prejudice against those higher than themselves. This is brilliantly portrayed in the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy.

Darcy comes from a high social class. He has pride in his family. His Aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh has an overwhelming sense of her own importance, which Darcy has inherited.

Prejudice is very much linked to first …show more content…

'I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.'

Not only does Lizzie's inferiority, prejudices Darcy against her, but also the way her family act. Mrs Bennet, Kitty and Lydia are constantly chasing and flirting with the officers and Mrs Bennet encourages them. Their kind of behaviour is not what young girls, in the 19th Century should be like and Darcy and the Bingley sisters frown upon it.

In chapter 18, even Mr Bingley manages to embarrass Elizabeth when Mary tried to sing but Mr Bennet told her quite abruptly to stop, 'You have delighted us enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.' In chapter 18 everything the Bennet's do further alienate Darcy at the ball. This is because the Bennet's behaviour shows Elizabeth in a bad light, making Darcy even more prejudice against her.

Mrs Bennet's behaviour in this chapter furthers Darcy's prejudice against Lizzie and her family. She arranged for the coach to be late and as Bingley and Darcy were and wanting to go to bed, they had to stay up until the Bennet's had left. The Bingley sisters repulsed every attempt of Mrs Bennet at conversation. They were 'evidently impatient to have the house to themselves.'

This is another case where the Bennet's behaviour reflects badly on Elizabeth, where Darcy is becoming more prejudiced against her.

When someone is prejudiced against another and hears a bad

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