analysis of reading “Pride and Prejudice” (dan lu)

"Pride and Prejudice" is Jane Austen's masterpiece. Story takes place in a small town in England. Mr. Bennett has five daughters and Mrs. “The business of Mrs. Bennett's life is to get her daughters married." (Austen 1) Therefore, she is busy all day, but they live in a remote area. It is unable to find suitable husbands. At this time, two single men who are rich and handsome come to have a vacation in the small town. Mrs. Bennett uses up all ways to let her daughters get married to them. The author used humor and irony and language to write the story. This story write about people’s pride and prejudice in that society. At that time, the poor will never get married with the rich. The rich are always pride. They have money, statues and power. They look down upon at the poor. The story of “Pride and Prejudice” happened in this background.
“Pride and Prejudice” tells a story about the relationship between money and marriage. Bennett, his wife just gave birth to five daughter but they don’t have son. According to Britain's property law, since Bennett couples don’t have son, there is a limit to inheritance. Their family's property will be taken by a distant relative of Mr. Bennett, his name is Mr. Collins. Thus, every daughter can receive only £ 1000 legacy. Their lives will get into difficulty if they want to live in a good condition. So Mrs. Bennett cannot wait for five daughters to find rich and powerful husbands. She decides to help daughters find their husbands. Elizabeth is her second daughter. She was born beauty, outstanding, extremely intelligent and pride. She meets Mr. Darcy at a ball and she is neglected by the Darcy. "Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, but Darcy was continually giving offence." (Austen 4) Elizabeth’s self-esteem is hurt. Therefore, she had a prejudice against Darcy. Darcy was born in a wealthy family, with a huge estate. His net income is more than 10,000 pounds every year. He is tall, handsome and talented. So he considers himself was very outstanding, that is why he always looks arrogant. However, after several days’ contact with Elizabeth, he discovers that Elizabeth is beautiful, smart, elegant and lively, and he has feeling of love for her gradually. But he feels Elizabeth’ home do not have much property. Although his father was a gentleman, but not noble; her mother and several other sisters talk vulgar and lacking of elegant. In addition, her relatives are humble and in low status. Therefore, Darcy does not want to show his love to Elizabeth. He hides his emotion. So Elizabeth feels Darcy is narcissistic, arrogant and disrespectful. She considers that he looks down on her family. Since Wickham slander behind Darcy, Elizabeth hates Darcy. The prejudice becomes deepened. Darcy is finally unable to control their feelings and makes a proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. But he is rejected flatly by Elizabeth. After some twists, Darcy reviews his past and corrects his arrogance. Elizabeth is also aware of her prejudices against Darcy are due to her vanity. When she finds the true character of Darcy, she becomes warm. When she hears Darcy doing everything possible to rescue her younger sister, her prejudices to Darcy are gone. Finally, the misunderstanding is removed, and they get married.
People should not divide status by rich and poor. They are equal in the personality, knowledge and education. No one can be arrogant with the wealth or high status. But people also cannot despise on poverty. I think it can also be connected with our daily lives. We should be modest to learn knowledge but not arrogant. We should know that learning is endless; there are more and more excellent people than us. We should find a way to learn more things rather than arrogance. I think people who have knowledge will be admired by others.
"It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does." (Austen 2) In this book, Elizabeth’s vanity leads to bias. We should not distinguish people by their appearance. Physiognomy is born. Because Darcy's wealth, arrogance and Wickham's defamation, Elizabeth has bias without fully realizing Darcy. As the saying goes, "everything is external". We cannot see their essence when we only see appearances whether it is learning, living or anything other things. If the world no longer has "arrogance" and "prejudices" the world is going to be more harmonious and friendly.
What’s more, from this book, I can also learn that the obstacles between Darcy and Elizabeth are also an obstacle of communication between people in reality. There are also obstacles to treat other things. There always have some small frictions between people. And these frictions are often people’s own weaknesses from the hearts. It is necessary to realize their own shortcomings and overcome them if people want to have enjoyable lives with others. Another important thing is to understand other people's hearts, and finally have a deep understanding with each other. Thus, you will find every person and every thing in society is so beautiful. You will be more glad to use own expertise to make offers to this society and country. If I make an assumption that people are selfish and arrogant, they will become covetous. They do not care about other people; they just concern their own things. The world will be so cold. So from now on, we should remove the original defects, replace with new selves, and work hard for future.
However, I know it is the society background that leads the rich become pride and prejudice. At the end of eighteen century and the beginning of nineteen century, people were living in a closed society in England. The upper-class is conservative. They have their own society status and power. They are always admired and respected. So they can’t adapt to the lives which the poor have. At many times, they will be pride in order to get away from the poor. The poor and the rich cannot exist together. The rich always think they are different from the poor. So at first, Darcy treats Elizabeth impolitely. But the true love can take the challenge. Finally they get together regardless of others’ prejudice.
In the end, I want to say, love does not depend on poor or rich. If you have a real love, tell her immediately. If you miss the chance, you will regret. In many cases, love will not wait for anyone.




Work cite


Jane Austen
“Pride and Prejudice” (first published in 1813)
Online book http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html
--Austen 1 from chapter 1 http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/ppv1n01.html
--Austen 2 from chapter 2 http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/ppv1n02.html
--Austen 4 from chapter 4 http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/ppv1n04.html