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Pride and Prejudice

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Conflict between Love and Prejudice Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, portrays the social atmosphere that existed in the 18th century. Specifically the emphasis is on the importance of courtship and the effects of social standing on marriage. The story that is given is the Bennett family trying to find suitors for five unmarried daughters. All five daughters have their own unique personalities, but there is one that stands out the most in the novel. The story is concentrated mainly on Elizabeth Bennett, a strong willed and outspoken young lady, and her relationship with Fitzwilliam Darcy (Mr. Darcy), a haughty and extremely wealthy man. Elizabeth is from the middle class and Mr. Darcy comes from a prominent and wealthy family. Elizabeth is conflicted between her prejudices of Mr. Darcy’s behavior and her increasing attraction towards him. It is said that first impressions determine how a relationship will work out. Pride and Prejudice was initially titled First Impressions which is a fitting name because they play a crucial role in the development of the novel. Elizabeth’s first impression of Mr. Darcy is one of contempt and she feels deeply offended by Darcy. At the Netherfield gala, Darcy insults Elizabeth when he exclaims that “she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt [him]” (Austen 9). At this time, during the Regency Era, a dance was intended for women and men to be together and for women to find potential suitors. The fact that Darcy refuses Lizzie when she is sitting alone is extremely disrespectful. Elizabeth hears Darcy insult her and she remembers his arrogance and disdain for others. This initial prejudice of Darcy carries on through some of the novel and Elizabeth unconsciously discovers more reasons that she dislikes Darcy. Most of the reasons that she condemns him are mistakes on her part. She refuses his first

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