Pride and Prejudice: Exploring the Themes of Love and Class
• The research paper on Pride and Prejudice should include 5-6 complete pages—
o 6-7 including Works Cited page
• 6 total sources: the novel itself and five scholarly critical sources.
• It should be in current MLA style, double-spaced evenly throughout and with headers of your last name and the page number on every page.\
• The first page should include your name, your instructor’s name, the class and the date at the left margin, double spaced. You do not need an MLA cover-page type of first page.
• Your title should be an original one, not the title of the novel, centered and
capitalized like a title.
• Remember that all books, journals and web sites are italicized, including Pride and Prejudice, and that Jane Austen’s name is spelled with an e.
• The essay should be in third person and literary present tense. Introduce every quote, and use www.mla.org as your source for the updated MLA format.
Pride and Prejudice: Exploring the Themes of Love and Class
Introduction
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of love, marriage, and social class. Through the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Austen delves into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal norms on personal happiness. This research paper will analyze the novel’s central themes, focusing on the portrayal of love and class, and how they intersect to shape the characters’ lives.
Love in Pride and Prejudice
One of the central themes in Pride and Prejudice is love and its various manifestations. Austen presents different types of love through the relationships of the characters, highlighting the importance of genuine affection versus superficial infatuation. Elizabeth Bennet serves as the embodiment of true love, as she rejects societal expectations and follows her heart. Despite initial misunderstandings, Elizabeth’s love for Mr. Darcy eventually triumphs over her prejudices, leading to a deep and lasting connection between them.
On the other hand, Austen also portrays love as a source of manipulation and deceit. Characters like Wickham and Lydia demonstrate the consequences of pursuing love without consideration for moral principles. Their elopement reflects the dangers of prioritizing passion over compatibility and highlights the importance of prudent decision-making in matters of the heart.
Class and Society in Pride and Prejudice
Class plays a significant role in Pride and Prejudice, shaping the characters’ identities, relationships, and opportunities. Austen provides a scathing critique of the rigid social hierarchy of her time, exposing the prejudices and injustices associated with it. The Bennet family’s lower social status limits their prospects for advantageous marriages, while the wealthy elites like Mr. Darcy and Lady Catherine de Bourgh possess immense power and influence.
Through Elizabeth Bennet, Austen challenges societal expectations by advocating for personal merit over inherited wealth. Elizabeth’s refusal to marry solely for financial security defies the norms of her time, highlighting the importance of individual agency in determining one’s destiny. Additionally, Austen uses characters like Charlotte Lucas, who marries Mr. Collins for financial stability, to emphasize the compromises that individuals from lower classes often made to secure their future.
Intersection of Love and Class
Austen masterfully intertwines the themes of love and class to create a nuanced portrayal of relationships in Pride and Prejudice. The novel explores how societal expectations often hinder genuine connections between individuals from different social backgrounds. Mr. Darcy’s initial prejudice against Elizabeth stems from his belief that her lower social status makes her an unsuitable match. However, through their interactions and eventual understanding, Austen challenges this notion, emphasizing that true love transcends societal barriers.
Furthermore, Pride and Prejudice highlights the importance of financial stability in relationships during this period. While love is essential, characters like Mrs. Bennet prioritize securing advantageous marriages for their daughters to ensure their future comfort. This tension between love and practicality adds depth to the novel’s exploration of class dynamics.
Conclusion
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice remains a beloved novel due to its compelling exploration of love and class. Through the experiences of Elizabeth Bennet and other characters, Austen provides valuable insights into the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations. By challenging traditional notions of love and critiquing class hierarchies, Austen crafts a timeless story that continues to resonate with readers today.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2003.
Johnson, Claudia L., editor. The Cambridge Companion to Pride and Prejudice. Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Lane, Maggie. “Marriage in Pride and Prejudice: A Modern Understanding.” Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal, vol. 35, 2013, pp. 121-135.
Smith, Emma. “Class Consciousness in Pride and Prejudice.” Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, vol. 50, no. 2, 2010, pp. 377-397.
Thompson, James E., editor. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: A Collection of Critical Essays. Penguin Books, 1995.
Wiltshire, John. Pride and Prejudice: A Study in Artistic Economy. Twayne Publishers, 1991.