Jane Austen 's novels usually focus around women’s social status. The time period in which she lived was about change. Thus, it is no surprise that she used her talent as a writer to highlight social issues. Jane Austen released Pride and Prejudice in 1813. The novel’s protagonist is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is a strong-natured intelligent young lady who transforms into a mature woman by the end of the novel. Throughout the novel Elizabeth changes and becomes less prejudiced and less prideful. Elizabeth’s character is revealed throughout the novel using particular lines of dialogue and actions, by doing this the reader is allowed to form well informed inferences about her character. Elizabeth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet
…show more content…
The pivotal moment in the story occurs when Elizabeth receives the letter from Mr. Darcy. That letter changes the course of the story and it changes who Elizabeth is as a person. Two matters of importance are included in the letter. However, it is Elizabeth’s reaction to the letter that is the most important. Elizabeth learns she misjudged a situation and after reading the letter she is overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. By reading the letter, Elizabeth learns that Mr.Wickham, a man she took an instant liking to, was not who she believed him to be. In addition, her impression of Darcy also changes. In previous conversations with Elizabeth, Wickham made Darcy sound like a terrible person thus, Elizabeth had difficulty believing the contents of the letter and she even exclaimed, “This must be false! This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!” (Austen 302). She read the letter multiple times and when she accepted it was the truth “She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd” (Austen 305). She then proceeds to evaluate herself and states, “ I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself” (Austen 305). She realizes her prejudice towards both men, Wickham and Darcy. From this moment she tries to be less prejudice. Another change is that she begins to be more straightforward with herself and others. The second half of the novel is full of self-revelations. Elizabeth becomes less prejudiced and she learns to control her temper and as the change takes place she starts to develop and accept her feelings for
The pivotal moment in the story occurs when Elizabeth receives the letter from Mr. Darcy. That letter changes the course of the story and it changes who Elizabeth is as a person. Two matters of importance are included in the letter. However, it is Elizabeth’s reaction to the letter that is the most important. Elizabeth learns she misjudged a situation and after reading the letter she is overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. By reading the letter, Elizabeth learns that Mr.Wickham, a man she took an instant liking to, was not who she believed him to be. In addition, her impression of Darcy also changes. In previous conversations with Elizabeth, Wickham made Darcy sound like a terrible person thus, Elizabeth had difficulty believing the contents of the letter and she even exclaimed, “This must be false! This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!” (Austen 302). She read the letter multiple times and when she accepted it was the truth “She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd” (Austen 305). She then proceeds to evaluate herself and states, “ I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself” (Austen 305). She realizes her prejudice towards both men, Wickham and Darcy. From this moment she tries to be less prejudice. Another change is that she begins to be more straightforward with herself and others. The second half of the novel is full of self-revelations. Elizabeth becomes less prejudiced and she learns to control her temper and as the change takes place she starts to develop and accept her feelings for