Pride And Prejudice :: essays research papers

Prejudice The first sentence of the fable, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, foreshadows the blockade of the book. She writes, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good enough fortune, must be in wishing of a good wife". At first, readers would understand this in unrivaled way. However, in the second half of the fabrication it takes on a undivided new meaning. At first this sentence takes on an ironic meaning, because it is unremarkably understood that it is the woman who is in pursuit of a wealthinessy military personnel (and not the man pursuing the woman as stated). Austin likewise 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 of money would seem to be quite a catch, to soulfulness 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 small money. Although Mr. Collins could obviously never satisfy Charlotte as a husband, Charllote agrees to adopt 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 discern with Elizabeth he does not treat her with the preferential treatment with which one would commonly treat his beloved. Instead he treated her with the same condescending and high-flown manner as he would any other person. Afterall, all good wives are in want of a wealthy man. Darcy soon changes his ism (and hence one must understand the quotation differently) after Elizabeth refuses his proposal. This casualty 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 school of thought on the subject after this rejection.