Jane Austen s Pride And Prejudice - 1359 Words

In Pride and Prejudice, a novel written by Jane Austen, class differentiation, distinction, and hierarchy are prominent and well-developed themes. Austen majorly expresses that wealthier individuals may have prominence on the surface, but this prominence is ultimately a faà §ade. True class is determined by the content of a person’s character. Austen uses multiple characters in the novel to express her thoughts on this matter. One of these examples is expressed through the comparison of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mrs. Bennet. They serve as the obliviously loathed and laughed at females in the novel. These characters complement one another in their foolishness, regardless of the fact they originate from opposing classes. As such, Austen†¦show more content†¦This lack of restraint may be attributed to the character’s unwillingness to listen to what others have to say, Zechman 2 which essentially denotes they are uneducated. In Mrs. Bennet’s case, Austen clearly presents this lack of edification in her initial description of Mrs. Bennet by saying, â€Å"Mrs. Bennet was a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughter married; its solace was visiting and news† (Austen 12). Mrs. Bennet’s â€Å"mean understanding† and â€Å"little information† implies she has multiple shortages when it comes to intellect. There is further evidence to support this thought. She is the daughter of a lawyer, but she cannot comprehend entailment, despite how often this characteristic is explained to her. She is juxtaposed with her clever and witty husband. She, who completely fails comprehend his irony and blatant mocking of herself. The way in which she raised her daughters shows minimal sense. Mrs. Bennet’s inadequate parenting is a common occurrence, but is perhaps highlighted when she demands Jane to walk to the Bingley residence in hopes that an approaching storm will somehow elongate her daughter’s stay. Luckily for Jane the Bingley’s have sufficient hospitality, but unfortunately for Jane, she does catch a cold due to her mother’s terrible judgment. Mrs. Bennet idiotically rejoices