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?
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