Theme: Wealth
Justin Chiang
Period 5
Set in 19th century England, Jane Austen's compelling novel, Pride and Prejudice, follows the live's of various individuals, with the Bennet family being the forefront of interest. The Bennet family consists of Mr. & Mrs. Bennet, and their five daughters, in order from oldest; Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. The main issue in the novel seems to revolve around the fact that all of the Bennet daughters have yet to be married. Marriage was the only way for a woman to support herself in life through societal standards, and Mrs. Bennet grew increasingly worried for her daughters. Her worries were thrown aside when she hears the news that a wealthy, young gentleman by the name of Mr. Bingley had recently moved to town along with his friend Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet immediately tries to match her eldest daughter Jane with him, and this event finally occurs at a local ball. While Mr. Bingley takes an immediate liking to the beautiful Jane at the ball, we find the second eldest daughter Elizabeth to be clashing with the prideful Mr. Darcy. The story progresses and seems to focus almost entirely on the unlikely relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Throughout the novel, Jane Austen seeks to remind the reader through various events, that they are all driven by the common theme of wealth and fortune. Interactions and relationships seemed to be started and built upon one's fortunes and wealth in terms of monetary value. Characters seemed to be defined as much by their wealth and fortune, as by their appearances and mannerisms. Austen seeks to remind us of this theme through the many relationships that develop within the story.