Appropriateness of the Title Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice was first written in 1797 under the title First Impressions. It was later revised
and published under the title Pride and Prejudice in 1813. Jane Austen took the title, and therefore,
the theme, of this novel from Fanny Burney, who wrote of her novel Cecilia, 'The whole unfortunate
business' was 'the result of Pride and Prejudice'.

appropriateness of the title Pride and Prejudice

In the novel, first impressions do play an important part : Elizabeth is misled in her judgement and
estimate of both Darcy and Wickham. Her regard and sympathy for the latter and her hostility and
prejudice against Da cy are due to first impressions. But when we study the novel deeply and
seriously we can easily see that the title Pride and Prejudice is more apt and more befitting to it. The
first impressions which the characters get of each other take up only the first few chapters. The
novel is more about the pride of Darcy and the prejudice of Elizabeth and the change of attitude in
Darcy and Elizabeth's correction of her first impressions.

The Theme of Pride and Prejudice:

At a superficial level, Darcy embodies pride ---- he is possessed by family pride. As Wickham tells
Elizabeth he has a "filial pride, his pride in his father now dead' and as " brotherly pride, his pride in
his sister Georgian" Darcy himself says that his pride consists in being selfish and overbearing, caring
for none beyond his own family circle, thinking meanly of all the rest of the world.

There is no doubt that he is a proud man. Nothing can excuse his remark about Elizabeth.
"..tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me nor, indeed, the statement that " my good
opinion once lost is lost for ever." His first appearance is appallingly insolent and we tend to agree
with Mrs. Bennett's complaint. 'He walked here and he walked there, fancying himself so very great'
and share with her the desire to see Mr. Darcy get a set down.

The set-down comes at munsford parsonage which is the climax of Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's
prejudice. In the scene which has been built upto step by step, Darcy lays his proud heart at her feet
and learns what she thinks of him. His proposal is eloquent on the subject of pride and rests
primarily on his sense of her inferiority, of the obstacles provided by her situation in life and by her
family. He remains blind to the faults of Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley and is prepared to think
meanly of those beneath him in social standing.

Darcy's pride piques Elizabeth and her prejudice stems from her feeling that he is all pride. Having
been prejudiced against him by his refusal to dance with her, she wilfully misinterprets all his
utterances, all his actions. Her prejudice clouds her usually clear judgement and she listens to
Wickham's biased and slanderous account of Darcy with complete belief declaring Darcy to be
'abominable'. Blinded by prejudice she rejects his proposal.
It is at Risings that their process of self-discovery starts. At Netherfield Park, Elizabeth's family -----
her mother and her sisters have seemed vulgar and ill-bred. At Rosings, Darcy is embarrassed by the
vulgarity of his aunt Lady Catherine and realizes that refinement of manners is no monopoly of the
elite, nor their depravity the bane of the low. His lesson is complete when he is totally humbled by
Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal. Confident of being accepted her rejection makes him realize his
misplaced pride in the acquirements which cannot please the woman he loves. This excessive love
for Elizabeth is what cures Darcy of his pride and humbling himself he writes an explanatory letter to
Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's prejudice is neutralized by the revelation of Darcy's character. Her moment of self-
awakening comes on receipt of Darcy's letter. Learning the truth about Wickham, she realizes her
own blindness and prejudice in having judged Darcy and Wickham on mere first impressions. She is
able too, to see the validity of some of his objections to the Jane-Bingley marriage. From the
housekeeper's testimony, at Pemberley, she learns that Darcy's austerity of manner, stems partly
from an inordinate shyness and she is further softened towards Darcy. The Lydia- Wickham episode
brings the final reconciliation, with Darcy having overcome his pride completely to involve himself in
the Bennets' disgrace and have for his brother-in-law the man he most despises. This overwhelms
Elizabeth and cures her of her initial prejudice against him. She recognizes that Darcy was exactly the
man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her.

Pride and Prejudice -------not the only Theme:

However, to say that Darcy is proud and Elizabeth is prejudiced is to tell but half the story. The fact is
both Darcy and Elizabeth are proud as well as prejudiced. The novel makes clear the fact that Darcy's
pride leads to prejudice and Elizabeth's prejudice stems from a pride in her own perceptions. Darcy
is proud of his social superiority and refinement and this leads him to have a general prejudice
against people beneath him in the social hierarchy. Elizabeth's prejudice on the other hand stems
from her pride. Her pride is offended when Darcy refuses to dance with her and this leads her to be
prejudiced against him. In the proposal scene there is an ironic reversal as Darcy accuses Elizabeth of
hurt pride while Elizabeth accuses him of prejudice against Wickham, Jane and in general against
people who do not fit into his social world. Both suffer from the faults of pride and prejudice, but
they are also the necessary defects of desirable merits: self-respect and intelligence.

It is true that Jane Bennet and Bingley are not part of the theme of Pride and Prejudice but their love
is an important link in the novel and without it the story cannot be complete. Jane is a specimen of
faultless beauty and she is free from all the vices of Elizabeth's temperament ------ she is neither
proud nor prejudiced and is ever willing to see good in everyone. Similarly Bingley is easy going and
friendly and has none of the haughtiness, pride or cold reserve of Darcy. But both Jane and Bingley
are simple characters and are not sufficiently profound. It is the intricate characters of Darcy and
Elizabeth that hold our interest and exemplify the theme and title of the novel.
The Theme of Pride and Prejudice in Minor Characters:

Darcy and Elizabeth are of course, the pivotal characters but the subsidiary characters also tend to
demonstrate further aspects of the main themes. Thus, we have the theme of pride and its adjunct
flattery and sycophancy repeated in the characterization. Lady Catherine Dr Bourgh is a hilarious
caricature of the same faults of pride and prejudice. She has all the pride of family and position that
Darcy has plus an unfailing sense of her own personal superiority, which prejudices her against
Elizabeth. Mr. Collins is a mixture of obsequiousness and pride. He is a sycophant, an out and out
flatterer of Lady Catherine. Mrs. Bennet has a pride in her daughters and in her stupidity develops a
prejudice against Darcy stronger and more blind than Elizabeth's. Miss Bingley says rightly of
Elizabeth that she is a mixture of pride and impertinence but the fact is that Miss Bingley herself and
her sister Mrs. Hurst, are only further representations of precisely these qualities.

The Aptness of the Title:

The title Pride and Prejudice is thus, very apt and points to the theme of her novel. The novel goes
beyond a mere statement of first impressions and explores in depth the abstract qualities of pride
and prejudice ------- how they grow and how they can be overcome. This theme is worked out
through not only her pivotal characters Darcy and Elizabeth but also through the various minor
characters. Jane and Bingley do not, it is true, represent these qualities but by contrast they throw
into relief the obstacles that pride and prejudice bring in the lives of Elizabeth and Darcy. Alliterative
and pithy----- it is a title which does complete justice to the theme and subject of the novel.
Appropriateness of the Title Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Rekha Gupta August 11, 2022

The Source of the Title:

The whole of this unfortunate business has been the result of Pride and Prejudice: these words from
Fanny Burney's ‘Cecilia’ might have easily been as has been claimed the source of title. Jane Austen
has first named the novel ‘First Impressions’— which was also a suggestive title, the implication
being that first impressions are not usually lasting: but that they die hard : but that they die hard :
even if they are wrong , they last long . It was not at all an inappropriate title, but it is no way a
‘better title’ as Cornish says.

Appropriateness of the Title Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The New Title Representing Two Characters:

The new title Pride and Prejudice represents two characters—Darcy represents family pride;
Elizabeth is possessed by the prejudice that he is all pride, and this prejudice is also held by a
number of other characters. The story is a story of the misunderstandings, involvements,
catastrophes arising out of these two human feelings—and of the sweet results of their softening or
removal.

Darcy's Pride:

It is because of his family pride that Darcy interferes with Jane and Bingley's love affair. His pride
keeps him aloof, apart from society, full of self-love. Nothing can excuse his remark about Elizabeth.
“…..tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me nor, indeed, the statement that my good
opinion once lost is lost forever.” His first appearance is appallingly insolent and we tend to agree
with Mrs. Bennet's complaint . “He walked here and he walked there, fancying himself so very great”
and share with her the desire to see Mr. Darcy get a set down.

Elizabeth's Prejudice:

Darcy's pride piques Elizabeth and her prejudice stems from her feeling that he is all pride. Having
been prejudiced against him by his refusal to dance with her, she wilfully misinterprets all his
utterances, all his actions. Her prejudice clouds her usually clear judgment and she listens to
Wickham's biased and slanderous account of Darcy with complete belief declaring Darcy to be
abominable. Blinded by prejudice she rejects his proposal.
Excessive Love of Darcy Curing his Pride:

His lesson is complete when he is totally humbled by Elizabeth's rejection of his proposal. Confident
of being accepted her rejection makes him realize his misplaced pride in the acquirements which
cannot please the woman he loves. This excessive love for Elizabeth is what cures Darcy of his pride
and humbling himself he writes an explanatory letter to Elizabeth.

Neutralizing of Elizabeth's Prejudice:

Elizabeth's Prejudice is neutralized by the revelation of Darcy's character. Her moment of self -
awakening comes on receipt of Darcy's letter. Learning the truth about Wickham, she realizes her
own blindness and prejudice in having judged Darcy and Wickham on mere first impressions. She is
able too, to see the validity of some of his objections to the Jane - Bingley marriage. From the
housekeeper's testimony, at Pemberley, she learns that Darcy's austerity of manner, stems partly
from an inordinate shyness and she is further softened towards Darcy. The Lydia - Wickham episode
brings the final reconciliation , with Darcy having overcome his pride completely to involve himself in
the Bennets ' disgrace and have for his brother - in - law the man he most despises . This
overwhelms Elizabeth and cures her of her initial prejudice against him . She recognizes that Darcy
was exactly the man who , in disposition and talents , would most suit her .

The Importance of Jane and Bingley in the Theme of the Novel:

It is true that Jane Bennet and Bingley are not part of the theme of Pride and Prejudice but their love
is an important link in the novel and without it the story cannot be complete. Jane is a specimen of
faultness beauty and she is free from all the vices of Elizabeth's temperament - she is neither proud
nor prejudiced and is ever willing to see good in everyone. Similarly Bingley is easy going and friendly
and has none of the haughtiness, pride or cold reserve of Darcy. But both Jane and Bingley are
simple characters.

Pride and Prejudice in Minor Characters:

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a hilarious caricature of the same faults of pride and prejudice. She has
all the pride of family and position. Mr. Collins is a mixture of obsequiousness and pride. He is a
sycophant, and flatterer of Lady Catherine. Mrs. Bennet has a pride in her daughters and in her
stupidity develops a prejudice against Darcy. Thus the title Pride and Prejudice is very apt and points
to the theme of her novel.
Appropriateness of the Title “Pride and Prejudice” and Its Significance

August 19, 2017 by A H M Ohidujjaman

The acclaimed novel Pride and Prejudice was originally entitled First Impressions. However, when its
penwoman, Jane Austen, revised her novel, she gave it a new title now it bears. This title is so
appropriate that it hardly requires any justifying argument.

Usually, the title of a book, a novel, a literary work, or any written piece is given, considering its
subject matter. From the title, one can easily derive what the author will focus on in the book or the
composition.

The very title, Pride and Prejudice, implies what the novel’s story is all about. We must go through
the story with a critical attitude to show its significance while explaining why the author has
renamed her novel Pride and Prejudice.

Austen’s Primary Concern in The “Pride and Prejudice”

It’s not a novel of stormy passions and high tragedies of human life. Furthermore, Jane Austen has
never claimed that she’s a psychological novelist.

Her primary concern was to represent the comedy of domestic life. She further related to the humor
of the personal relationship between man and man, man and woman, husband and wife, and at
least, between the classes of the society.

In this connection, Austen has delineated the characters in their interactions when they move and
live in society.

The Significance of The Words “Pride” and “Prejudice” in The Novel

The words “Pride” and “Prejudice” are very significant in the characterization of the novel. These
traits of human character are present in both the hero and the heroine of the novel.

As we go through the novel’s story, we get to discover that a sense of pride reflects in the character
of Mr. Darcy, the hero, while a sense of prejudice reflects in that of Elizabeth, the heroine.

Besides the hero and the heroine, some other important characters have somehow revealed a sense
of pride throughout the story.
The Sense of “Pride” Portrayed in Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy was declared “The proudest, most disagreeable man in the world” when he was first
introduced in the novel. One may trace all his actions to pride.

Wickham opines this pride to Elizabeth Bennet as “filial pride” as he belongs to the upper-middle
class of society; he bears this pride of being superior to others.

A Pride inherited from Family

This pride he inherited from his father is now dead. It’s also present in the character of his sister,
Georgiana, and Wickham calls it “brotherly pride.” He ironically says that pride has often been her
best friend.

Darcy admits to his disposal and says that his pride is “selfish” and “overbearing.” He confesses to
Elizabeth when he contemplates his past actions that his father had a role in making him proud.

Despite being taught sound principles, his father was allowed and even encouraged to be “selfish”
and “overbearing” to think meanly of the rest of the world. At least, he was to wish to think meanly
of the sense and worth of Elizabeth compared to his own.

Darcy was not forgetful of his pride even when he was going to propose to Elizabeth. He balances
tenderness and pride in his speech. Moreover, his pride makes him blind to the faults of the
members of his class.

A Perfect Balance of “Pride” and “Prejudice” in Darcy and Elizabeth

Darcy turns down the proposal of dancing with Elizabeth made by Bingley out of pride. He responds
in a humiliating tone, “She is not handsome enough to tempt me,” which wounds Elizabeth’s
sentiment and makes her prejudiced against Darcy. She reveals to Charlotte that she has resolved to
hate him onward.

This prejudice of Elizabeth against Darcy further drags on when Darcy confesses his implacability at
Nether field, “I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought, nor their offenses
against myself. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

Darcy is proud and prejudiced against all who are not at par with him in richness and social position.
His social superiority, refinement, and wealth lead to this general prejudice. That is why, as Elizabeth
has made it clear later on, he carries prejudice against Wickham, Jane, and in general, against
everything unfitting to his social world.
The Sense of “Pride” and “Prejudice” Portrayed in Elizabeth

Conversely, Elizabeth maintains her pride too. Her pride consists of being perceptive and refined. At
the same time, she is prejudiced against Darcy. However, her prejudice does not stem from any
moral purpose, but her hurt pride.

It was her pride when Elizabeth does not protest but says, “I could easily forgive his pride if he had
not mortified mine,” in response to Charlotte when he says that Darcy has a right to be proud. So, in
this instance, she is both proud and prejudiced.

Both Pride and Prejudice Faded Away with Time and Realization

But over time, both Darcy and Elizabeth sacrifice their Pride and Prejudice as they become convinced
of the hollowness of these vain sentiments. The vulgarity of Darcy’s aunt shocked him and taught
him that refinement is not the elite’s monopoly. This new vision led him to play a vital role in the
Lydia-Wickham episode.

Besides, Elizabeth’s refusal to marry him opened his eyes that social superiority was not everything
in life. Thus there is a new awakening in his heart, and he shacks off his pride and prejudice
completely.

Elizabeth, too, reaches a new conclusion. Darcy’s letter helps her give up pride and prejudice. Now,
she is embarrassed about how she has been “blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd.”

She starts reassessing Darcy with this awakening, recognizing his talent and good disposition. She
even considered that Darcy would most suit her. So long, pride and prejudice blinded them, but
these verities have disappeared now. They realize it’s high time they get married.

The Sense of “Pride” and “Prejudice” in Other Characters

Pride and prejudice were not only present in the hero and the heroine. According to Gilbert Ryle,
“Every character of the novel exhibits too much or too little pride of a bad or silly sort or pride of a
good sort, sham pride or genuine pride and so forth.”

However, Mr. Bennet has genuine pride. He hates the despicable. But his pride is inverted and
unexecuted. He voices his just contempt in witty words, but he does nothing to prevent or repair
what he condemns.
Mr. Bingley has no special pride, but his sisters are proud in the sense of being vain. In this way,
almost all the characters have more or less pride and prejudice.

Conclusion

Concluding, there would have been no appropriate name except Pride and Prejudice for this novel.
Hence, the title is entirely appropriate and bears significance in its theme’s exposition and
characters.

Pride and Prejudice: Significance of the Title

The society that Jane Austen presents in Pride & Prejudice is concerned with reputation and
appearance. First written in 1797 under the title First Impressions, it was later revised and published
as Pride and Prejudice in 1813. The theme of judgment runs throughout the novel as prejudging
people is a favoutite pastime illustrated by the opening sentence “It is a truth universally
acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” The
two main characters are both guilty of pride and prejudice and must learn the errors of their ways
before they can live “happily ever after”. Elizabeth Bennet, Austen’s heroine, believes herself to be a
very shrewd judge of character, but her pride allows herself to fall victim of her own set of
prejudices. On the other hand, Darcy is proud of his refinement and superiority of social standing.
This leads him to a general prejudice for all those below his social status.

Elizabeth’s prejudice stems from her pride when she is offended by Darcy’s refusal to dance with her
and this lead her to be prejudiced with him. Her prejudice clouds her clear judgment and foresight
and she believes the poor account of Darcy as related by Wickham and blinded by prejudice, she
rejects his proposal. In the proposal scene, there is an ironic reversal. Both suffer from the faults of
pride and prejudice, but they are also the necessary defects of desirable merits: self-respect and
intelligence.

Elizabeth is not the only character who is prejudiced against Darcy. Society similarly make their mind
up against Darcy – “His character is decided. He was the proudest and most disagreeable man in the
world and everybody hoped that he would never come there again.”

It is at Rosings that their process of self-discovery and educations starts. At Netherfield Park,
Elizabeth’s family had seemed vulgar and ill-bred, but at Rosings, Darcy is embarrassed by the
vulgarity of his aunt, Lady Catherine and realizes that the refinement of manners is no monopoly of
the elite. But, Darcy's prejudice is still continues even when he confesses his love to Elizabeth. At this
intimate moment, he begins to talk about the great difference in social background of their families.
As the narrator makes it clear, Darcy's proposal did degrade Elizabeth and her social status, showing
that Darcy's prejudice against the lower class still remains.

Elizabeth, due to her strong personality and remarks, was the only one who was able to break
through Darcy’s pride and alter his perspective back to reality. His lesson is complete when he is
totally humbled by Elizabeth’s rejection of his proposal and realizes his misplaced pride in the
woman whom he loves. This excessive love for Elizabeth cures Darcy and humbling himself he
completely sheds his pride. Elizabeth’s moment of self-awakening comes on receiving of Darcy’s
letter. Learning the truth about Wickham, she realizes her own blindness and prejudice in judging
Darcy and Wickham on mere first impressions. At Pemberely, she learns about Darcy’s austerity of
manner.

Darcy’s role in Lydia Wickham episode proves that he has completely shed his pride, otherwise he
would not have assented to get involved in Bennet’s disgrace and have for his brother-in-law, the
man, he most despises. Elizabeth’s recognition that, “Darcy was exactly the man who, in disposition
and talent, would most suit her”, suggests that her initial prejudice against him is dissolved and the
time is now ripe for them to get married.

Lady Catherine is an also an example of pride and prejudice. She has the family and status pride.
Mrs. Bennet is proud of her daughters and in her stupidity she is also prejudiced against Darcy.
Furthermore Lydia’s thoughtless behaviour prejudices society against the possibility that her sisters
will ever get married. This is articulated through the snobbish Mr. Collin’s letter (in Chapter 48): ‘this
false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all others…”So the theme of pride and
prejudice is also reflected through in minor characters too.
The title, Pride and Prejudice aptly points to the theme of the novel. The novel goes beyond a mere
statement of first impressions and explores in depth the abstract qualities of pride and prejudice –
how they grow and can be overcome.