Comparative essay
The Theme of prejudice and reality In Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth bennet
The theme of prejudice and reality is seen throughout the novel and is prominently shown through the
protagonist Elizabeth Bennet and the antagonist which is obviously Mr. Darcy. This can be especially
seen when Jane Austen, the books author, introduces Elizabeth to new characters, she is unable to not
judge people based on their appearance which later changes in the novel. In Mr. Darcy’s case it is
different, and I will procced to use a quote to show this” She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to
tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by
other men.” This quote shows that his only opinion is based on what the person looks like, His view and
perspective of people also later changes in the novel.
Elizabeth is the most prominent example of the concept. Elizabeth has a high sense of perception and is
a good judge of character. She recognizes that, despite their well-bred and charming appearances, the
Bingley sisters are egotistical and deceitful. She recognizes that, despite her intimidating appearance, Lady
Catherine has nothing to be proud of other than her fortune, and she lacks the ability to truly impact
anyone's life. Her father, despite his outward look of brilliance, is morally bankrupt and has no obligation
to his daughters. When it comes to complicated characters like Charlotte, Darcy, and Wickham, she can't
tell the difference between appearance and reality. Charlotte is a good friend, and Elizabeth makes this
decision based only on appearances. She acknowledges Mr. Collins' idiocy and Charlotte's intelligence,
but she is unaware of the economic pressures that might bring such a mismatched pair together. Though
Charlotte had previously expressed her cynical views on courtship and marriage as purely a matter of
chance, Elizabeth refuses to take her word for it, and it is only when she is confronted with the reality of
the Charlotte-Collins marriage that she sees Charlotte for who she is and believes there can never be trust
or intimacy between them again.
Darcy comes out as arrogant at first, yet while he is arrogant, part of his aloofness arises from his shyness.
If he appears overly critical of the Bennet family and Meryton in general, it is also because, unlike the
easy-going Bingley, he has a sharp sense of discrimination and intellect. Elizabeth, blinded by prejudice,
refuses to see past Darcy's outward pride, and blames him for everything he does. When Darcy is seen
staring at her at Nether field, she assumes he must find her repulsive in some manner. As a result, she
gets taken away by his first appearance as a proud man and misses his increasing affection for her. Darcy,
despite his snobbishness and pride, is a fine man in the end, a truly gallant gentleman who pays Wickham
to marry Lydia and links himself with the Bennet family shame because of his great love for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, who appears to be educated and discerning, is unable to judge the complex individuals in her
life.
In conclusion the two themes show how both characters needed a reality-check and how across the whole
book, their view on people changed. Along with the fact that In the end both characters realized the error
in their ways and that their view on people had to urgently change. Lastly, Jane Austen used these
characters to catalyze the realization they were in need of.