Jane Austen's Flaws

Katherine Mansfield once said regarding the works of Jane Austen that, “For the truth is that every true admirer of the novels cherishes the happy thought that he alone - reading between the lines - has become the secret friend of their author.” Exploring Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice one does not only come to believe that they have a close acquaintanceship with each brilliantly developed character in the novel but also with the very author herself. No one can help but to gradually fall in love with the noble Mr. Darcy or BE captivated by the eyes of Elizabeth Bennet. In fact the reader himself struggles along with the hero and heroine against pride in themselves and a prejudiced view of others. One of Jane Austen’s most well-known and

For never does one character act completely virtuous nor another completely villainous. Pride holds a constant presence throughout the plot, blinding both Elizabeth and Darcy to their true feelings for one another, clouding their judgment and causing regrettable mistakes. Because of Darcy’s pride in his social rank and situation, he looks down upon anyone else who does not belong to his class. While Elizabeth contains pride in her ability to judge someone’s character, therefore refuses to alter her original opinion even when facing the true facts of the situation. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth can easily forgive when they have been wronged or insulted as Elizabeth states, “I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine” (5) and Mr. Darcy later stated, “I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself…My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever” (11). Though these statements seem condemning, Austen leaves the reader with the knowledge that while everyone struggles with their own pride, it can BE overcome. Darcy eventually releases his pride that acted as a security blanket and allows himself to become vulnerable. As Elizabeth learned that though first impressions can act powerfully they do not always portray the true characteristics

Darcy, the reader learns that one cannot label Elizabeth with prejudice and Mr. Darcy with pride but that where one has prejudice they must also have pride. Because of Darcy’s pride in his status, he quickly builds a prejudice towards others from their outward appearance without first taking the time to become better acquainted. Elizabeth’s pride in her quick perceptions creates her prejudice against the silent Mr. Darcy. Everett Zimmerman expounded on this stating,“Eventually, however, she learns to judge accurately while deeply involved; she learns to avoid the limitations imposed by pride and prejudice.” Pride causes an individual to become so wrapped up with himself and any wrong done to him that he refuses to listen to reason even if faced with clearly contradictory evidence. This prideful blindness can easily cause a prejudice which is not easily overcome for to do this one must identify their own short coming and replace their pride and prejudice with humbleness. Many characters in the novel had to learn this hard lesson but proved how when overcome one can find their happy ending. However if one refuses to identify their faults than they cannot find true