A Little Taste of Pride and Prejudice

I’ve just finished the classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for the first time. To be honest, Pride and Prejudice was my first Jane Austen novel and I must agree I enjoyed it.  On many such occasions, I began to speak and think in the same tone as the narrative. For instance, I would say, “That is very disagreeable” or “If that should quell my fear of such an issue,” but for the most part, my friends and family were left unscathed by my reading.

From what I have heard from people who enjoyed the book, is that Mr. Darcy is such a dreamy young man whom many of them would enjoy meeting. Although I do not disagree, I do find that Mr. Darcy’s countenance is one that intrigues me. While I did not get the giddy, happy feeling of instance love, I was more inclined to learn of his actions and why he did the things he did. It was his arrogance that drew me to him, his abrasive attitude, and his quick judgement of character. By the time Mr. Darcy changes his manners and begins to act more civil, I was in love, not from his apperance or his wealth, but by his attitude. By working hard to find humility and prove to Elizabeth that he can change for her, Mr. Darcy puts forth his best side and it is well received.

Although Elizabeth is a smart girl with quick wit, and a lovely face, she, like Darcy jumps to judgement too quickly. In a way, Elizabeth finds herself to be better than her “foolish sisters” through the way she talks of them to her father, begging him to knock some sense into them. Likewise, Elizabeth judges Mr. Darcy as well even though he gives her plenty of reasons to.  But disregarding this, she is a wonderful girl, who holds her head high even though Miss Bingely abuses her at every moment.

An interesting symbol Austen paints in her story is Pemberley, Darcy’s estate. It is a very beautiful place, full of natural beauty. It has running waters, wonderful flowers and is the epitomy of a beautiful countryside landscape. In one discription, Austen calls the river in the front of the house a “natural importance”, which could possibly reference Mr. Darcy’s own views on his importance and social status. It is an unmasked beauty full of memories and paintings that could also allude to Darcy’s life.  Mr. Darcy is a man who lives behind his arrogance and his wealthy. Upon meeting people, he is quiet and withdrawn. In contrast, his home is open and free, it is full of beauty and vulnerability.

While the character’s can go deeper and there are many more symbols and themes, these are just a few of my thoughts and ideas. I enjoyed the book a lot and look forward to seeing the 2005 movie, which I haven’t seen.