The Final Clash

Towards the end of the book, Lady Catherine desperately attempts to convince Elizabeth to reject Darcy’s imminent proposal. She has never accepted the social constraints that continually build next to her and actively fights them. Initially, she destined all her efforts towards Mr. Darcy who exemplified that rigid stratification. In this case, she has a conflict of interests with Lady Catherine. The most important moment of this conversation is: “I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.” (267)

We must analyse this moment because it shows both her love for Darcy and her dislike for social conventions. First, she confronts a person that has a higher social status and even disobeys her. This confrontation not only comes from a dislike of the person but also, from a strong disapproval of the system. It also demonstrates she would sacrifice her family’s good name for Darcy. Taking into account, of course, that her family was powerless against Lady Catherine. Deciding this demonstrates her final change of heart towards Mr. Darcy. Clearly, this change of heart originated from Mr.Darcy's own actions that contrasted greatly those at the beginning of the book.

With this, we see Elizabeth who finishes the book being a woman that stands up for her pride and her family’s pride. She also willingly sacrifices vanity for pride. Through her action she also changed Mr. Darcy into the man she eventually married. Could Elizabeth be the ideal heroine to fight against the rigid system of Austens' times?

When Societal Pressure Fails

The pressure society puts on its members to behave a certain way appears constantly in the book. In this case, it tries to force the characters to fit into their respective social classes and behave as exemplary members of each. This control extends through the entire being: from their actions, to their thoughts and aspirations. The mother’s desire to marry her daughters’ to a member of a higher social stratus proves this. Still, although all of these examples of societal pressure appear consistently in the book, the moment Lydia breaks social protocol shows the true extent this pressure. Its cruelty and power appear in a single quote: “All that is required of you is to assure your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of five thousand pounds, secured among your children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her during your life one hundred pounds per annum”. (224)

Wickham cunningly manipulated the family’s situation to his favor. Their fear of rejection and isolation caused by such a dishonorable circumstances forced the father to accept his requests. This shows how an entire family would suffer for an individual’s actions. Normally the entire family would stop such actions from happening. Unfortunately for the Bennet’s, when preventive measures no longer have a place the entire family endure the punishment. In this case, the punishment was only monetary but it could have easily been their social status. Austen conveys that fear effectively throughout her book.

A Trust-Based Relationship

Darcy greatly influences the relationship between Wickham and Elizabeth. In the beginning of the novel we see that Elizabeth’s attachment to Wickham happened because of her disgust for Darcy. Mostly, because one hurt her pride while the other praised her. These two characters contrast greatly throughout the novel. This marked difference disappears when Darcy gives Elizabeth that letter after being rejected. The letter explained why Mr. Darcy decided to disown Wickham despite his father’s friendship with him. I was interested above all by her reaction when receiving this letter: “The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay Mr. Wickham’s charge exceedingly shocked her; the more so as she could bring no proof of its injustice” (154)

This interests me because she accepted what the letter said with relative ease. Also, although she defended her sister and her relationship with Mr. Bingley, she accepts this about Wickham. In addition, she mentions the inexistence of proof in favor of the soldier. How can she be sure about such accusations with out talking to anyone? I believe her injured pride took this decision for her. Previously, she mentioned her lack of interest for Wickham when he abandoned her to go after Lydia. Her attraction resulted in nothing mayor. Still, her readiness to adopt a negative opinion on the man could indicate an injury in her pride. The way he left her might have not injured her heart but her pride could continue to resent him. She decided to trust Mr. Darcy more than Mr. Wickham. Probably, all of Darcy’s actions together did not injure her pride as much as loosing the attention of Wickham.

Italicized Style

The italicization of certain words characterizes the book's style. It not only remains consistent through out the book but also gives it an aggregate depth. Clearly, this element does not only stay in italics. Doing this to certain words emphasizes them. Hence, the meaning of the sentence changes. Examples of this appear in every page of the book. This change in meaning makes the book harder to understand. This, far from being a disadvantage, gives the process of reading the complexity that the plot develops. In this particular love story, characters’ feelings change and what seems to be vanishes quickly, like Jane’s possibility of marrying Mr. Bingley or Elizabeth’s feelings for Wickham. It also changes the usually punctual English into something different.

In French, a word's pronunciation can mean many things because of its similarity to others. We also see a general ambiguity to the language that comes from the many usages a single word can have. This ambiguity (as much of a generalization as it is) probably gave it the title of the language of diplomacy. The usage of these emphases achieves a similar effect of ambiguity through the work. Although using these should punctually say the meaning of the sentence, as reader, I find them easy to ignore. An example of this can be found at the end of chapter 26 where Elizabeth doubts the existence of her love for Wickham: “But my feelings are not only cordial towards him; they are even impartial towards Miss King”. (113) The italicization adds to the meaning of the sentence. First, what she feels towards him guides her more powerfully than what she thinks of Miss King. Also, it shows that although her feelings do not overflow, they do exist. Still, we could also interpret the sentence, disregarding the emphasis, and absorb only its literal meaning. These sort of subtleties make up an essential part of the book's style that any analysis must take into account.

The Worst Husband

From the start of the story, Mr. Bennet shows some opposition to please his wife. His reluctance to use his wife’s way of ensuring his daughter’s future makes him an interesting character. Unlike Mrs. Bennet who only cares about her daughter’s future economic wellbeing, he has a wider perspective on the situation. At first, he appears as a playful character that wished to see his family suffer a little before telling them he talked to Mr. Bingley. Now, we see his personality developed even farther. Also, we have a different view on what the couple’s relationship. Unlike a traditional image of a cooperating marriage where both parts seek the best for their children in a similar way, we see them here, as opposing forces.

When talking about character development this quotation is key: “‘My dear,’ replied her husband, ‘I have two small favours to request. First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the present occasion; and secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.’”. (85) This shows Mr. Bennet is a father that will oppose his wife for the sake of his daughters. Although sexism does influence the couple, by doing this, he entered a part of family life that the mother alone used to manage. His strong values guided him to this decision. Above all, he seems like a parent that only wishes for his daughter’s happiness. On the other hand, the mother appears to search for something else. She possibly wants to achieve her frustrated wish of marrying a rich man through her daughters. While it seems true right now, the book can only prove such supposition later on.

The relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet evolves with the storyline. Even now, the story barely touches it but we can derive its most important element here: “Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do”. (p. 85) This action, other than saving Elizabeth from her mother’s intent, shows the character of the couple. Both wish for the wellbeing of Elizabeth but in conflicting ways. The father, being the authority of the family, wins at the moment but the overall conflicting nature of the two remain. Due to the mother’s inability to go against her husband’s wishes I reached a single conclusion: Mrs. Bennet is Mr. Bennet’s foil. Although she takes the initiative on ensuring a future for her daughters, the husband ultimately decides. Even if she appears more prominently than her husband, the difference in opinions and power leads me to believe she serves as a guideline of Mr.Bennet’s values.

And Now: Religion

Society has always regarded religion with a special care. Especially in highly stratified societies religious officers had a rank of power and respect. In the western world, the Catholic Church had the greatest power, at least, during the books time period. The Anglican and Catholic Churches both fulfilled a similar role in their societies. Mr. Collins represents the Anglican Church in this story and its abuse of a power it does not even own. Especially the Anglican Church as the characters put it has a “mixture of servility and self-importance” (48). Although the book focuses around the relationships between the characters, it also satirizes the society shown.

Several factors lead me to believe he satirizes the church or, at least, its clergymen. The Anglican Church depended completely on the King who also lead it. Mr. Collins depends on the Lady Catherine who is a noblewoman. His attitude of “self-importance” could reference the policies of the church at the time. Also, the clergyman’s willingness to accept the Bennett’s house could represent the corruption of the church. After all, the government does manipulate it. Straying away from this social critique, the character’s reactions to the arrival of Mr. Collins and his letter must be discussed.

Nobody mentioned when the family received the letter that the future of the daughters and Mrs. Bennet depended on this clergyman. Evidently, Mr. Collins’s tone seemed conciliatory in the letter and his attitude was not threatening. Still, the family in general remains calm considering the situation. We could assume they will not act impulsively because of social conventions instilled in them. Even when he praised the whole house as a prospecting buyer would, only the mother shows worry here: “… would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property.” (49) The daughters will probably find a husband and the father will enjoy his property to the last day. Indeed, this situation would only leave the mother vulnerable. I interpret this as a demonstration of the selfishness of that society. Even families will only continue to help each other when mutual benefits exist. We could also see that as a lack of foresight from the daughter’s part. In this case, the father simply restrains his emotions like he did with the arrival or Mr. Bingley. One final interpretation could view the family as subdued to that social stratification. Since the Clergyman comes from a higher status, the family agrees he has the right to do as he wishes. Only the mother, who suffers the loss directly, worries.

Either way, Austen uses the Clergyman to satirize some aspect of society. The Anglican Church’s role in society, the selfishness of the people at the time or the lack of foresight of future generations all combine in to the arrival of Mr. Collins.

Money’s Chains

Usually, we expect to find freedom in money. Weather it be the possibility to buy or to live in a specific way, we expect it to improve our life in some way. For Mr. Darcy, though, wealth ties him to certain social standards that limit his actions. The money dependent social stratification of the novel forces wealthy people to increase their affluence by marrying other with the same social status.

Specifically, this last social convention combined with his feelings for Elizabeth creates an inner conflict within Mr. Darcy. He easily decides. Still, it shows those social convention brought by wealth can restrain a person’s choices. The moment where he talks about this decision is here: “To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence –Elizabeth had been at Nether field long enough. She attracted him more than he liked-” (44). Mr. Darcy would only avoid Elizabeth because of her social status. Her family’s lack of wealth stops him from fulfilling his desires. Society, through his family, instilled these beliefs so deeply that he takes this decision unconsciously. We can see what they tought him in two ways.

First, following his vanity, Darcy chose to protect his status and the way other view him by restraining himself. He thought that when marrying Elizabeth others would see him as a failure. We could even say it would hurt his pride to marry her. He has such positive image of himself that a marriage with someone of a lower status would depress him. Money trapped him with its accompanying pride and vanity.

We could also see this as protection of his current wealth. Marrying a woman with less status than him means he would not only have to carry her but also her entire family. Such disgraceful use of his resources would diminish them greatly. On the other hand, marrying an equal would have the opposite effect.

With this, could Austen want to show us a different view of wealth at the time? Does she intend critique a materialism that imposes itself over love? Or does the book critique the society that forbids the freedom of the heart?

A Peaceful War

As I continued my reading, I realized the apparently friendly environment in which the plot develops hides a hostile underlying situation that resembles a war. Here, people call gathering intelligence “overhearings” (p.13). Although people do not die in this conflicts, loosing can injure your pride or as they refer to it euphemistically: “offended”. But why would pride matter so much if it only mirrors what we think of ourselves?

As Mary said: “Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves and vanity to what we would have other think of us.” (14). Still, these two relate directly even if they oppose each other. I theorize that this novel will explore the relationship between the two closely. People should maintain a level of vanity that equals that of their pride. If a person hides their self hatred in order to show in vanity what they lack in pride, circumstances would eventualy expose this lie. If someone’s vanity does not equal their pride, other people (like family or friends) will help them rise it to an acceptable level.

This relationship makes these social events into a battlefield where others masure levels of pride and vanity in people they consider important. Mr. Darcy gave his vanity a higher value than his pride and his punishment was to stand “near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation…” (18) On the other hand, the crowd that ignored Mr. Darcy praised Mr. Bingley because of his personality and attitude.

In the end, this process becomes a battlefield where all fight for the center of attention. For people like Mr. Bingley, such a task can be done unconsciously for he has wealth and a good personality. Such an achievement requires a greater effort for those of a lower social class. Also, a conflict can only occur amongst fellow member of a social class. They aim at obtaining enough attention from a higher class to enjoy some of its benefits. Marriage is the most evident of these methods. Competition can be fierce with so few possibilities to compete for. This matters for the understanding of the novel because it shows how hiding key pieces of information in unexpected places forms part of the writer's style.

Yet Another Beginning

Two key points that we must analyze when reading a book are: the beginning and the end. Evidently, the first line of the book peaks the reader's interest: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”(p.1) Other than interesting those that glance over the first page, it gives us an overview of the social context and values the book includes. The narrator makes this statement which indicates it will remain true during the entire work. In fact, the second sentence reassures this. So, what does this first sentence reveal about the work?

First, it reveals the story happens in a highly stratified society similar to what Jane Austen experienced in England at the time. It also shows the strict social codes that were the basis of this society. Now, straying away from basic Wikipedia knowledge, I can deduce other things.

This statement shows the way people saw their world at the time. Things were “universally acknowledged” unlike today where we doubt everything and each person forms their own opinion. Assuming this rule extends to Jane Austen, we should expect to see absolutes which contrasts greatly with Shakespeare, where not one character is completely good or evil. If this is true then it will be interesting to analyze this work since so few of the ones I have read include any type of absolutes. In fact, many take the grays to the extreme.

I do not believe a good versus evil situation is possible because the rest of the chapters set the tone for a love story. We could expect to see a character that will never change its characteristics. A greedy or devious person will remain unchanged despite the experiences he or she accumulates during the story. I expect to see some kind of absolutes while reading this even though I just started the book .

A Selfish Last Wish

In his final moments, Hamlet’s makes one final request to Horatio. In the desperate nature of this, a primal desire unseen in Hamlet appeared. A desire to leave a legacy. Even if it could not be a son to carry his name, he wished, atleast, for books to remember he existed as something else than a mad prince. After all, with the King’s efforts to destroy his credibility, the only thing Hamlet would leave with out Horatio’s help would be “a wounded name”. He was so desperate that he asked Horatio (who wanted to commit suicide because of his suffering) to: “in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain/ to tell my story”(5.2.380-84). This seemingly selfish act could have selfless reasons or not depending on the interpretation.

If we assume Hamlet wishes only for his name to be remembered, then this is a selfish act. With his last breath he asked his friend in pain to suffer even more only to ensure his memory would be cleansed from his uncle’s efforts. Also, the lack of interest in his legacy during the rest of the play proves such a thought came only in his dying moment. Only when he saw his impending death he felt the urge to save his legacy. This means that his emotions were the driving force behind this last plea and not a carefully planned strategy.

We could also view this as a selfless act. In order to take revenge on his father’s death, Hamlet was forced to do several dishonorable things (like taking taking the life of Rozencrats and Polonius) . This, in combination with the King’s efforts to make Hamlet’s “madness” evident, had ruined the name of Hamlet and therefore, his father’s. Seeing that his actions actually tainted his father's memory, he had to ask Horatio for help in finishing this task. In this interpretation, he used his dying breath to fulfill his mission of allowing his father to rest in peace. Carrying the revenge was important but so was ensuring the status of his father’s name.

I find this last interpretation to be less probable because Hamlet makes no reference to carrying his father’s legacy or name in any other part of the book. Up to that point, he focused on revenge and it only changed when the fear of death consumed him. In this last instant his selfish desires overcame him, and left behind a realized selfish last wish.