"It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in a possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife," (1) as the narrator states. Now we must ask ourselves this, is a single woman required to marry a man in possession of a good fortune, or is there more to it than that? In the story, "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, five Bennet sisters experience the importance of having pride, and the prejudice that comes along with it. In order to have pride a person must have a sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect. Some of the sisters greatly express pride, while others slowly gain it. Others however feel it is more important to do as others expect you to. Throughout the story the Bennet sisters realize the importance of pride, no matter how many people prejudice against them.
In the novel Pride and Prejudice the main character Elizabeth Bennet, has the most pride of the five sisters.
Jane Austen, Watercolour and pencil portrait by he...
English: Back View of Jane Austen, Watercolor
English: Français : Une gravure de 1833 illustran...She does not allow the wishes of others affect her beliefs or moral values. In the beginning of the story, she disregards her mother's wishes of getting married as soon as possible. She rejects two marriage proposals, by two wealthy men. Her mother sees this as a sign of weakness; even earlier in the novel she thinks her daughter is far too nice.
"Dear Lizzy!" "Oh! You are a great deal too apt you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life." (16)
None the less she does not let her mother's words discourage her. Many people continue to prejudice against her,