The title of Jane Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice” is significant in the characterization of the novel as the male and female protagonists embody these traits of pride as well as prejudice. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the protagonist of the novel was introduced as, “ the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world ” (Austen, 1813). Darcy himself admits that even as a child he was taught right and was given good principles but never followed them in his pride and conceit. Even in chapter III when the Netherfield party meets the Bennets at a small ball he turns down the proposal of dancing with Elizabeth made by Bingley and curtly replies that “ she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen, 1813). Darcy at that time mortified Elizabeth’s pride and was the reason for her prejudice against him. It was her pride that was damaged by Darcy and when Charlotte questions her about that she remarks that, “I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine” (Austen, 1813).

The second most important theme is that of prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet, the female protagonist of this novel is generally associated with this theme. Elizabeth Bennet is a warm-hearted intelligent girl but has her pride and prejudice due to her comparative inexperience of people. Jane Austen herself said about Elizabeth’s character, “I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print”. She due to her pride developed a prejudice against Darcy and turns a blind eye to all his good qualities and his redeeming features. She due to this prejudice also rejects his proposal in the start and her love for Darcy. She believes Mr. Darcy to be a rude and unreasonable person who fired Mr. Wickham without a solid reason. Similarly, Darcy had a prejudice against all those who were below his stature or those who do not fit into his social world like the Bennets.

 

The male and the female protagonists are both proud and prejudiced one way or another; possessing both; one dominant and the other recessive. So one can say that the male and female protagonists are the embodiment of Pride and Prejudice.

Contributor: Areeba Fatima

Read, 

Art of Characterization of Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice