In Pride and Prejudice, a novel written by Jane Austen, the role of wealth and reputation is a partnership that leads to marriage, but in most (if not all) cases have little to do with love. The most propelling conflict in Pride and Prejudice is, “The morally significant conflict between pride and vanity” (Pride). Vanity is connected to wealth; therefore wealth is a poor choice to consider opposed to love. The role that reputation and wealth play when it comes to love is limited due to human pride and vanity. “The meaning of “pride” and “prejudice” acquire are related to the central theme of all of Jane Austen’s novels: the limitations of human vision” (Pride). In Austen’s time the inability to see past wealth when considering marriage is a
…show more content…
An era during which wealth and reputation are of a better match then love. Elizabeth's family lives a modest life but because her father has no male heirs to inherit his estate, the Bennet girls have to rely on marriage to wealthy gentlemen to gain fortune and reputation. In this era, to have reputation is to have wealth and vice versa. Mr. Darcy's reputation and wealth was so great that when he accompanied Mr. Bingley to Hertfordshire, the gossipers of the town had already acquired of him. Mr. Darcy is said to have "...drew the attention of the room... and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening" (Austen 7). The guest's approval of Mr. Darcy is said to have come after the rumor of his wealth circulated. The rumor of Darcy's income had already been established so his physical appearance, which are said to be that of handsome gentlemen, only indicated that he dressed as a wealthy gentleman of his statue …show more content…
Bingley, who seems to be incapable of making his own decisions and only listens to the advice of Darcy when it comes to his courtship with Jane Bennet. Darcy confesses to Elizabeth and tells her, Bingley did ask for his advice and he in turn voiced that Jane doesn't seem to be interested. “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister”(Austen 163), to which Darcy goes on to tell Elizabeth that perhaps his hasty opinion was based on her family's behavior and her own behavior towards him. Elizabeth’s less reputed family with a respectable income is in no manner close to Darcy’s family income, therefore Darcy’s upbringing and characteristic is one influenced by his upbringing. Both characters are from different upbringing, with different opinions of their class. “"Pride and Prejudice concludes with a union which grows directly out of the ability of the participants to recognize that, in spite of their different functions, the middle class, the gentry and the nobility are all committed to the ideal of concern for others" (Johnson 59). Their reputation and wealth plays the bigger role because both this factors determined much of their life and in turn, much of their opinion, thoughts, and feelings about their surroundings. At a glance it is something seems to work against their feelings for one another but in turn it is a factor that also strengthens their feelings for one
An era during which wealth and reputation are of a better match then love. Elizabeth's family lives a modest life but because her father has no male heirs to inherit his estate, the Bennet girls have to rely on marriage to wealthy gentlemen to gain fortune and reputation. In this era, to have reputation is to have wealth and vice versa. Mr. Darcy's reputation and wealth was so great that when he accompanied Mr. Bingley to Hertfordshire, the gossipers of the town had already acquired of him. Mr. Darcy is said to have "...drew the attention of the room... and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening" (Austen 7). The guest's approval of Mr. Darcy is said to have come after the rumor of his wealth circulated. The rumor of Darcy's income had already been established so his physical appearance, which are said to be that of handsome gentlemen, only indicated that he dressed as a wealthy gentleman of his statue …show more content…
Bingley, who seems to be incapable of making his own decisions and only listens to the advice of Darcy when it comes to his courtship with Jane Bennet. Darcy confesses to Elizabeth and tells her, Bingley did ask for his advice and he in turn voiced that Jane doesn't seem to be interested. “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister”(Austen 163), to which Darcy goes on to tell Elizabeth that perhaps his hasty opinion was based on her family's behavior and her own behavior towards him. Elizabeth’s less reputed family with a respectable income is in no manner close to Darcy’s family income, therefore Darcy’s upbringing and characteristic is one influenced by his upbringing. Both characters are from different upbringing, with different opinions of their class. “"Pride and Prejudice concludes with a union which grows directly out of the ability of the participants to recognize that, in spite of their different functions, the middle class, the gentry and the nobility are all committed to the ideal of concern for others" (Johnson 59). Their reputation and wealth plays the bigger role because both this factors determined much of their life and in turn, much of their opinion, thoughts, and feelings about their surroundings. At a glance it is something seems to work against their feelings for one another but in turn it is a factor that also strengthens their feelings for one