Human Behavior In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

"Pride and humility are above all connected with ‘our idea of ourself,’ though that idea is affected by the way others regard us; these emotions are, then, important regulators of human behavior in society" (Hirsch). In Jane Austen 's Pride and Prejudice, the main characters, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Wickham, possess the traits of pride and prejudice, both of which play a role in their “human behavior in society” (Hirsch). Elizabeth Bennet encounters a prideful and prejudiced man, Darcy, whom she develops a strong dislike for. She is later fooled by Wickham, who is very charismatic and capitalizes on her dislike for Darcy to gain her sympathies. Elizabeth soon realizes that her prejudiced beliefs towards Darcy were in fact, misguided. Readers then tend to ask the question: In what ways do the traits of pride and prejudice influence one’s motives and decisions?
Darcy is a very prideful and prejudiced man. His ill-mannered behavior towards people below his social class makes him seem very egotistical to others, especially to Elizabeth Bennet. She believes that his “defect is to hate everybody (39).” In contrast, Darcy believes that “where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation (39).” He feels that he is …show more content…
The ability to fool and to misjudge give meaning to human character. The traits of pride and prejudice have affected Darcy, Elizabeth, and Wickham. Darcy realizes that his pride caused people to dislike him, Elizabeth realizes that her feelings and opinions clouded her better judgement, and Wickham’s charisma led others to be fooled by his true character. So can the traits of pride and prejudice affect one’s motives and decisions? What Austen wants the readers to realize is that they shouldn’t let their pride overcome them and judge others based on their opinion. Each person has their own flaws and one should accept someone for who they