A Sense of Pride Replaced by Love in Pride and Prejudice
At the beginning of chapter 33, Elizabeth Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam are having a conversation about Mr Darcy, in particular, his enjoyment of doing whatever he likes. Elizabeth’s pride seems to cause her to misjudge Mr Darcy based on her first impression of him. As well as Mr Darcy’s preconceptions against Elizabeth and her social status, deprives him the view of her true self. Nevertheless, both Miss Bennet and Mr Darcy seem to develop a certain interest in each other, set aside the circumstances.
“And if not able to please himself in the arrangement he has at least a great pleasure in the power of choice. I do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy.”
In the quote above one can see that Elizabeth has already made a remark on Mr Darcy, based on prejudice. Although it is visible that her interest for the gentleman is gradually growing. In the course of the book, you notice how their differences play less and less importance. They seem more fascinated by each other, which at the end of the book leads to both declaring their love for one another. However, Mr Darcy already made aware of his affections for Elizabeth, at the beginning of chapter 34. This left Miss Bennet rather frustrated, because she had, in the chapter before, learnt that Mr Darcy was responsible for the separation between her older sister Jane and Mr Darcy’s best friend Mr Bingley. Although judging too quickly, she had decided what kind of man Mr Darcy really was. This was without knowing or realizing the true reason behind his actions, which were to help his friend out. Her feelings towards Mr Darcy go from fairly overwhelmed by his pride, to agitated and filled with loathe.
Jane Austen has a way of describing love as something separate from the values of society, as they often describe what can be considered love or not. Love stories always seem to find a way to bring two people together with completely different, almost opposite personalities. In these types of novels, there seems to be various obstacles that the two main protagonists must overcome, to be able to love one another. And in this case, it is their social differences that make their relationship so difficult to understand. He had fallen for her headstrong personality that had led her to stand up to him and teach him a lesson. Fascinated by this, he later on in the novel, abstained from social objections/contradictions and asked for her hand in marriage.
This part of the book is very intriguing because it shows that even though our society has different standards and principles, our rank in society can be considered unimportant. Mr Darcy fell for Elizabeth, not because she was attractive or could have been rich, but because of her strong will and morals in life.
