Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of the most widely read classical romances. It is also no exaggeration to say that Pride and Prejudice is the most popular work by Jane Austen. It is amazing to think how a novel written centuries ago that has enchanted generations of readers still continues to captivate millions of modern readers. Those who have read it at least once, however, will be able to account for why it is so.
Though widely loved, the novel does not escape the criticism of being overrated. This criticism to me is found on a misconception. Pride and Prejudice is commonly misunderstood as a simple romance. For this reason, some tend to adopt a dismissive attitude, failing to appreciate the depth of it. If one overlooks the novel’s resemblance to popular romantic fiction, she won’t fail to understand that there is much more into this work. It is true that, given the time it’s written, the themes of love and marriage play a major role in the novel, but other equally important themes such as pride, prejudice, duty, honour, vanity, and class difference elevate the novel from the simple romance pedestal.
This novel is made extraordinary because of the use of diverse characters and the detailed exposition of their virtues, vices, values, and principles. Jane Austen is well known for her power of human observation. Her power of observation is well demonstrated through the characters she employs. That accounts for her characters being real and closer to readers’ hearts.
In Pride and Prejudice we meet an unusual heroine for the Regency period. Elizabeth Bennet is an uncommon individual. She is bold, outspoken, intelligent, and independent. Her character is quite a contrast to the passive and submissive heroines of popular romantic fiction of the Regency period. Elizabeth is far too modern and she appeals to modern readers. Her lively spirit enables readers to connect with her instantly. Darcy too is an uncommon hero. He is not of the bold, daring, and gallant type commonly found in popular Regency romance. Rather he is an intelligent, strong-minded, and principled man who is stable and grounded. The supporting characters are drawn from a diverse collection and include a vain, conceited, silly, ridiculous, and wicked lot. All these characters have largely contributed to the novel’s universal and timeless appeal.
The title Pride and Prejudice is said to symbolize Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice. But I feel that Elizabeth and Darcy represent both concepts. Elizabeth’s prejudice not only awakens from the attitude and behaviour of Darcy but also from her wounded pride. Darcy’s pride makes him prejudice against his inferiors, especially those below him in class, and treats them dismissively. Despite their pride and prejudice, however, Elizabeth and Darcy consciously and unconsciously fight their growing attraction.
The writing is beautiful. Though devoid of the later Victorian rich and verbose prose, the light, witty, exuberant, and passionate style capture the reader’s heart. To me, Jane Austen’s style of writing is extraordinary. She tells her story not in so many words but through the description of thoughts and conduct of her characters, a style more commonly used in the 20th century. That shows that Jane Austen was far ahead of her time.
This is a pretty lengthy review but fewer words wouldn’t have done justice to this one book which holds a tender place in my heart, the first book which made me fall in love with classics as a child. I owe my love for classics to Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. The book and its author will always have my uttermost gratitude.
Rating: 5/5
