It has always been common practice in society for a person to a make judgement of another based on a misconception of that individual. Whether it be arrogance or ego, social standing or appearance, that lead to the judgement, one will always be judged. The tendency of one to blindly do the judging is a problem which must be remedied. In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Darcy and Elisabeth develop traits which they must overcome. Darcy, because of his pride, prejudges Elisabeth based looks and social standing, Elisabeth builds her pride in defence and develops a prejudice against Darcy, and due to their relations with each other they subdue these traits and fall in love. Darcy and Elisabeth are only able to find true love once they have overcome their pride and prejudice.
Because of his social status Darcy quickly develops a prejudice against Elisabeth due to her bourgeois family background and his extensive arrogance.
An 1833 engraving of a scene from Chapter 59 of Ja...
Detail of a C. E. Brock illustration for the 1895 ...
An 1833 engraving of a scene from Chapter 59 of Ja...He has reason to be proud because, "The gentlemen all pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man" (Austen, 7). Such compliments only build an ego and so, on the night of the ball at Meryton, Mr. Bingley invites Darcy to dance with Elisabeth. He refuses, saying "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me" (Austen, 9). He is a rich land owner and sees only a middle class villager when he looks at Elisabeth and he very quickly judges her as not respectable enough for himself nor his pride. It is also the opinion of Mrs. Bennet that Darcy is one of the most conceited men around. She explains to her daughter Elisabeth after he insults her, that "he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and conceited that there was no enduring...