Pride And Prejudice :: essays research papers

Prejudice The first sentence of the romance, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, foreshadows the lay off of the book. She writes, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a ethical fortune, must be in trust of a good wife". At first, readers would understand this in sensation way. However, in the second half of the clean it takes on a altogether new meaning. At first this sentence takes on an ironic meaning, because it is ordinarily understood that it is the woman who is in pursuit of a wealthy piece (and not the man pursuing the woman as stated). Austin overly seems to prove this understanding of the quotation in the first half of the novel in her use of Mr. collins and Charlotte Lucas. In the novel, Mr. Collins has established himself by working for Lady Catherine de Bourgh, an extremely wealthy woman. Also, once Mr. Bennet dies, Mr. Collins is due to inherit his entire estate. Therefore, a man who is supported by that amount o f money would seem to be quite a catch, to somebody with less money. However, after listening to him talk, it is quickly revealed that he is utterly ignorant. On the other hand, Charlotte is his complete opposite. Charlotte is an extremely sensible and intelligent girl, but she has lowly money. Although Mr. Collins could obviously never satisfy Charlotte as a husband, Charllote agrees to sweep up him for his money. Hence the original understanding of the quotation at the start of the novel seems to be justified. Mr. Darcy also seems to follow this quotation. He believes that woman would marry him for his wealth and status no matter what. Therefore, when he falls in turn in with Elizabeth he does not treat her with the preferential treatment with which one would usually treat his beloved. Instead he treated her with the same condescending and towering manner as he would any other person. Afterall, all good wives are in want of a wealthy man. Darcy soon changes his philosophical system (and hence one must understand the quotation differently) after Elizabeth refuses his scheme. This sequent proves that a woman does not necessarily need to find a rich man to marry. Afterall, this is now the second time that Elizabeth has rejected the proposal of a man with more wealth than she. It is clear that Darcy changes his whole philosophy on the subject after this rejection.