“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” The opening sentence sets me thinking about relationship, about matrimony, about variation of notions of love and marriage at different times.

Set in rural England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice illustrates social and class conflicts through notion of marriage in different peoples minds. The Bennets is a rural family with five daughters. Mrs. Bennet is eager to see all her daughters married, particularly as the modest family estate is to be inherited by William Collins when Mr. Bennet dies.

At that time, people consider female to be a property or attachment to male, women have no right to inherit her own familys legacy, and thereby a proper marriage seems to be a priority to family with daughters.

In Mrs. Bennets mind, a decent son-in-law equals to an affluent man with a nice social status, which overshadows the significance of his affection for her daughter.

The pride and prejudice exist in both Darcy and Elizabeth. The protagonist Mr. Darcy has arrived at the town for about a month, Elizabeth holds prejudice against Darcy on account of his aloofness. Mr. Darcy, an aristocratic landowner from the upper class, is so proud that he looks down upon the Bennets for their improper behaviors and eagerness for wealth.

When the pompous Collins expresses his so-called deep affection for Elizabeth, he is declined straightway. Elizabeth might be poor with a low social status, nonetheless she is truly proud. During this time, Elizabeth encounters George Wickham, a military officer. There is a mutual attraction between them, and he informs her that Darcy has denied him his inheritance improperly. Meanwhile, after Bingley abruptly departs for London, Elizabeths dislike of Darcy increases as she becomes convinced that Darcy is discouraging her sisters relationship. She never asks Darcy in person whereas she is convinced that Darcy is the “evil backstage manipulator” who tries to spoil everything owing to his discrimination against the poor. As a consequence, Elizabeths prejudice against Mr. Darcy is deepened gradually.

Moreover, Mr. Darcy has bias against the Bennets for being too desperate to get their daughters married. Thankfully, after a few conflicts, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter in which he explains that he separated the couple largely because he didnt believe Jane returned Bingleys affection. He also discloses that Wickham, after squandering his inheritance, tried to marry Darcys sister in an attempt to gain possession of her fortune. With these revelations, Elizabeth begins to see Darcy in a new light.

Eventually, they throw all the pride and prejudice off and embark on a new journey of life in sincerity. We can tell that they both feel something from the beginning, nevertheless, it takes quite a while for them to cast away all those preconceived notions and let affection take over. Thus Id say, being candid is the key factor leading to true love, to a lasting relationship.

Apart from the story itself, the book also demonstrates peoples concepts of matrimony in that era.

Men are considered to be the active part, the one who are in charge of marriage. And women, conversely, are seen as some property or subjects that need to be selected by certain criteria made by men. The destiny of female is at the hands of their husbands, which I hardly approve.

Nowadays, regardless of gender, matrimony ought to be a choice made by both parts equally.

Men and women are individuals in charge of their own life. In this book, although it is set in an age when gender inequality appears to be something normal, the protagonists are all trying to pursue true love, to adhere to their own feelings.

Perhaps thats the core of Pride and Prejudice, the spirit heading for liberty and something real.

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

May Jack shall have Jill!

References：

[1]張翼.女性主义在《傲慢与偏见》中的体现[J].文教资料,2014 (25).

[2]韩玲.《傲慢与偏见》中伊丽莎白的女性主体意识[J].温州职业技术学院学报,2007(01).

[3]郭欢欢.女性主义视角下的《傲慢与偏见》[J].名作欣赏,2017 (05).

【作者简介】孙祺，大连外国语大学。