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118 Prejudice Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Prejudice is a deeply ingrained bias or preconceived notion about a person or group of people based on stereotypes or limited information. It can manifest in many forms, including racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and more. Prejudice can have devastating effects on individuals and communities, perpetuating inequality and discrimination.

In order to tackle prejudice head-on, it is important to have open and honest conversations about its impact and how to combat it. One way to do this is through writing essays on prejudice, exploring different aspects of this complex issue and examining it from various angles.

To help spark your creativity and inspire meaningful discussions, here are 118 prejudice essay topic ideas and examples to consider:

• The roots of prejudice: How does prejudice develop in individuals and society?
• The impact of prejudice on mental health and well-being.
• Prejudice in the workplace: How does discrimination affect job opportunities and advancement?
• Intersectionality: How do different forms of prejudice intersect and compound one another?
• Stereotypes and prejudice: How do stereotypes contribute to prejudice?
• Implicit bias: How does unconscious bias influence prejudiced attitudes and behaviors?
• Prejudice in the media: How do representations in media perpetuate stereotypes and prejudice?
• Prejudice and privilege: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice?
• Combating prejudice through education: How can education help address and reduce prejudice?
• The role of empathy in reducing prejudice: How can empathy help combat prejudice?
• Prejudice in the criminal justice system: How does prejudice impact policing, prosecution, and sentencing?
• Prejudice in healthcare: How does prejudice affect access to healthcare and quality of care?
• Prejudice in education: How does prejudice impact academic achievement and opportunities for students?
• Prejudice and politics: How does prejudice influence political attitudes and policies?
• Prejudice and nationalism: How do prejudices fuel nationalist sentiments and xenophobia?
• Prejudice and religion: How do religious beliefs and practices contribute to prejudice?
• Prejudice and immigration: How does prejudice impact attitudes towards immigrants and refugees?
• Prejudice and social media: How does social media perpetuate prejudice and discrimination?
• Prejudice and language: How do language and rhetoric contribute to prejudice?
• Prejudice and social norms: How do societal norms perpetuate prejudice?
• Prejudice and allyship: How can individuals be allies in combating prejudice?
• Prejudice and activism: How can activism help address and reduce prejudice?
• Prejudice and power dynamics: How do power dynamics influence prejudice?
• Prejudice and legal protections: How do laws protect against prejudice and discrimination?
• Prejudice and hate crimes: How do prejudices lead to hate crimes?
• Prejudice and privilege in the criminal justice system: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in the criminal justice system?
• Prejudice and privilege in healthcare: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in healthcare?
• Prejudice and privilege in education: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in education?
• Prejudice and privilege in the workplace: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in the workplace?
• Prejudice and privilege in media representations: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in media representations?
• Prejudice and privilege in social norms: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in social norms?
• Prejudice and privilege in politics: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in politics?
• Prejudice and privilege in religion: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in religion?
• Prejudice and privilege in immigration policies: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in immigration policies?
• Prejudice and privilege in social media: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in social media?
• Prejudice and privilege in language: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in language?
• Prejudice and privilege in activism: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in activism?
• Prejudice and privilege in legal protections: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in legal protections?
• Prejudice and privilege in hate crimes: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in hate crimes?
• Prejudice and privilege in allyship: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in allyship?
• Prejudice and privilege in power dynamics: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in power dynamics?
• Prejudice and privilege in social justice movements: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice in social justice movements?
• Prejudice and privilege in power dynamics: How do systems of privilege perpetuate prejudice

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Essay Samples on Prejudice

How to stop stereotyping in society: the importance of collective efforts.

Stereotyping is a deeply entrenched practice that not only hinders individual growth but also perpetuates systemic biases and discrimination. Overcoming the grip of stereotypes is a vital step towards forging a society that is truly inclusive, just, and equal. In addition to exploring methods to...

• Stereotypes

Towards a World Without Prejudice: The Path to Ending Racism

Introduction Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination towards people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism may also be defined as the hatred of one person by another because of the skin color, language,...

• Racial Discrimination

Difference Between Islam and Christianity: Perspectives on Racism

Islam and Christianity are two of the largest religions in the world, with billions of followers combined. While there are significant difference between islam and christianity in this essay we will also analyse similarities between islam and christianity. For this paper we have interviewed several...

• Christian Worldview

Bringing Awareness to Colorism in Music

Colorism, “a form of prejudice or discrimination usually from members of the same race in which people are treated differently based on the social implications from cultural meanings attached to “skin color” that is the definition you would find in any dictionary. What they don’t...

Colorism and Skin Bleaching in the Black and Brown Community

Colorism is a term defined as a form of racial discrimination based on different shades of an individual's skin. This type of discrimination typically occurs in a specific ethnic group. Colorism has roots that traces as far back as the 1500’s when European colonist started...

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Colorism: Discrimination and Prejudice Among Minorities

Staples recounts the unscrupulous history of hiring practices during the Jim Crow era, a time where the importance of skin color was more explicitly stated in employment advertisements claiming “whiteness” as a job qualification. Colorism is still very much ingrained in the minds of Americans...

Colorism Displayed in Advertising African Americans

Commercials has always been a strategic way to catch ones attention to enforce one business plan to get consumers who are willing to buy into whatever it is they're selling. Commercials has been a tool to manipulate ones mind into seeking and buying a product...

Racial Discrimination as the Reason for High Infant Mortality Rates

Introduction It is claimed that high infant mortality rates are due to poor general health as a result of existing social, economic and environmental policies. Social barriers and racial discrimination are said to prevent access to basic health care and existing resources. It is also...

The Prevalence of the Issue of Colorism in the Society

Colorsim is discrimination against darker-tone individuals. Coloism is typically within the younger generation of today’s society. Colorism is an issue in today’s society people need to be more educated on it. The people of the society need to know what colorism is and how to...

Colorblind Society and Its Role in Creating Racial Discrimination

According to Wildeman and Emily (1468), issues related to race are often uncomfortable to discuss, and widespread controversy and stress. Color has been used as the foundational pillar of racial differences that pervade the United States and its systems. However, the sources of racial differences...

The Solution to Racial Discrimination by Singapore Government

Racial equality is the act of giving all races equal opportunities and rights. The Singapore Government treats racial equality with much seriousness. It is no surprise that many politicians in Singapore emphasize the importance of treating every race equally on many occasions, like National Day,...

Racial Discrimination in Workplace and Communities

Abstract There were many reports of racial discrimination in West Palm beach. Moreover, this essay is about the issues, racial discrimination experiences, and changes we make for the workplace and environment. For this research, the writer review articles to bring together and summarize the results...

Black Lives Matter: The Origin and the Background of the Movement

When society is unequally treated, it gives way to other social conflicts. Sometimes these social inequalities can be analyzed through social conflict theory. The social inequality in society that I chose to talk about is the topic about is the ongoing topic of Black Lives...

• Black Lives Matter

Death Penalty and Racial Prejudice: Pros and Cons of the Method

In 2019 alone, twenty two men have been brutally murdered in seven states in America (DPIC). For every person a special group had gathered to debated upon whether or not these men and women were worthy of a life or if they could be sacrificed...

• Capital Punishment
• Death Penalty

The Racial and Cultural Differnces Described in How to Tame a Wild Tongue

There is no denying that race has been a recurring issue for years on end. Even though slavery ended in 1865, racism has only gotten stronger but, has now bled into other races and cultures. In today's generation, people judge one another based on appearance...

• Cultural Diversity
• How to Tame a Wild Tongue

The Problem With Prejudice: Conflict In To Kill A Mockingbird

 “Cry about the simple hell people give other people-without even thinking” (Lee 269), this was said by the unusual character of Mr. Dolphus Raymond to Jem and well communicates the problems the characters in the novel are faced with. The fictional, southern gothic novel is...

• Atticus Finch
• To Kill a Mockingbird

Black Like Me: The Diary of a Discriminated Person

You will never know what someone is going through until you walk in their shoes for a day. This statement perfectly describes the actions of John Howard Griffin who decided to swap his honored life as a white, southern male and darken his skin to...

Stigma and Prejudices Around Psychopathy

On your whiteboards, write or draw the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “psychopath”. More often than not, society’s initial reaction to the term “psychopath” is negative. In today’s culture, the term “psychopath” has become synonymous with crazy serial...

• Mental Illness
• Psychopaths

The Idea of Economic Stagnation Because of Racial Prejudice W.E.B Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk and Simone De Beauvoir’s Novel The Second Sex

Although some may argue that economic power is the key to liberation, according to W.E.B Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk, one must recognize that there are other factors such as racial prejudice that doesn’t allow economic growth to even be attempted. Economic growth...

• African American History
• The Souls of Black Folk

Prejudice: Discourse Analysis of the Extracts from Keep Them Out

Discourse analysis can be described a phenomenon which has its own properties which have an influence on individuals and their social interaction. The central aspect of discourse analysis is to emphasize the way in which participants themselves have an at least implicit understanding that discourse...

• Discourse Analysis

The Color Prejudice Within the Black Community in The Wife of His Youth by Charles W. Chesnutt

“The Wife of His Youth” is an 1898 historical fiction short story by author Charles W. Chesnutt. Charles Chestnutt is the first African American writer to use folklore in series literature. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 20, 1858, but spent most of...

• Discrimination
• The Wife of His Youth

Motives That Drive People Towards Discrimination

Why do people discriminate against others? What is the motive? What do they hope to gain? If we understand the answers to those questions, it can help us stop discriminating against others, and enable us to understand and help those who discriminate against us, people...

Societal Prejudice Against People in Black Elk Speaks and Angels in America

The books Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt, and Angels In America by Tony Kushner are two similar readings both involving continuous conflict and prejudicial treatment occurring to members within a society. Though the protagonists in both books feel a profound sense of responsibility,...

• Angels in America

Depiction of Racial Discrimination and Prejudice in I’ Too by Langston Hughes and How It Feels To Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston

Pride is evident in all aspects of literature. It can be interpreted or expressed in many different ways. On the contrary, identity is a way a person identifies as or a set of characteristics that can help elucidate why a person may choose to do...

• How It Feels to Be Colored Me
• Zora Neale Hurston

Comparison of Novels 'Jasper Jones' And 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

“The most important human endeavour is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our actions can give beauty and dignity to life” - Albert Einstein The novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey was written in 2008. It is set in...

• Jasper Jones

The Power of Influence of the Prejudices on Individuality

A preconceived opinion about an idea or topic like race can affect the whole more than the individual. Prejudice can influence people to think a certain way about serious matters. Racial prejudice is a generational issue that we still face today. However, what should be...

• Individual Identity

Examining the Impact of Gender Prejudice on Female Academic Achievements

Gender prejudice has long been a pervasive issue in societies around the world, impacting various aspects of individuals' lives, including their educational opportunities and achievements. Historically, women have faced systemic barriers and biases that hindered their academic progress and limited their access to quality education....

• Academic Achievements
• Gender Discrimination

Prejudice and Social Inequality in American Diversity

In our modern times and perhaps a trying time in American society we are faced with many facts that keep social inequality at the fore front of why people’s behaviors are happen in ways that influence different outcomes in society. In the 21st century the...

• Social Inequality

Sexism in the Form of Slut Shaming and Ethical Solutions

Sexism is prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination on the basis of the sex or sex (typically against women). This social topic is a form of oppression and domination, also because many social form of hierarchy and abuse is shown in a male-over-female domination. Women are mainly...

Abuse of Affirmative Action in Educational Institutions

For years prejudice and racial bias have favored white people, affirmative action is a way to give to those people that has been oppressed and prejudiced against, however it can also be used as a system to keep benefiting white people, in this essay will...

• Affirmative Action
• African American

Language and Literary Style Used in "Of Mice And Men"

Steinbeck’s naturalist style in the novel “Of Mice and Men” showed that humans were shaped by social and environmental conditions that were beyond their control. The language used is colloquial and simple, representing the daily language spoken by the characters during the Great Depression. Steinbeck...

• John Steinbeck
• Of Mice and Men

Stereotyping, Prejudice, And Ethnocentricity In "From Prada To Nada"

Even though we may live in a melting pot it doesn’t mean that all these various cultures combine. Everyone has a set of beliefs and values that they hold, which makes everyone unique; the same is said about cultures and how they can impact our...

• Ethnocentrism

Prejudice Against The Syrian Refugees Caused By The Uk Media

With the harrowing onset of the Syrian refugee crisis, there has been destabilizing contention in the United Kingdom (UK) regarding the support for the asylum seekers. However, where the British media is concerned, these refugees are bleakly faced with an uncompromising stance. The most influential...

• Syrian Refugee Crisis
• United Kingdom

The Role Of Implicit Prejudice In The Categorization Of Racially Ambiguous Faces

One of the many topics in social psychology is how people think about and view one another and how each view affects one another. Prejudice views about a group are usually negative these views can be extremely hurtful in society, whether it be races, religion,...

Adult Development And Aging Issues

Commercials of any anti-aging products like Olay subtly hint the message that aging is a condition we need to battle, but it is inevitable one we will lose. The sales are driven not just by baby boomers and Gen X-ers, but also millennials who don’t...

My Experience Of Race Prejudice

When I was a new entrant to Queenstown Primary School, I was put into a special language program called the “Learning Centre” for children who struggled communicating in English. To a person who was born in New Zealand and whose English was their first language...

• New Zealand

The Stigma Of Mental Disorders

Public Stigma model are described in the categories of different points such as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Stereotypes are mentioned in a way through mutual agreement with beliefs particularly in groups of people or a behavior as a whole. Most cases with stereotypes occur when...

• Mental Disorder

The Analysis Of The Movie "12 Angry Men"

In the United States criminal justice system, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable count. Our law requires the jury to exonerate the defendant unless swayed by substantial evidence that deems the guilt of the defendant. Many times, juries come across...

• 12 Angry Men

Best topics on Prejudice

1. How to Stop Stereotyping in Society: The Importance of Collective Efforts

2. Towards a World Without Prejudice: The Path to Ending Racism

3. Difference Between Islam and Christianity: Perspectives on Racism

4. Bringing Awareness to Colorism in Music

5. Colorism and Skin Bleaching in the Black and Brown Community

6. Colorism: Discrimination and Prejudice Among Minorities

7. Colorism Displayed in Advertising African Americans

8. Racial Discrimination as the Reason for High Infant Mortality Rates

9. The Prevalence of the Issue of Colorism in the Society

10. Colorblind Society and Its Role in Creating Racial Discrimination

11. The Solution to Racial Discrimination by Singapore Government

12. Racial Discrimination in Workplace and Communities

13. Black Lives Matter: The Origin and the Background of the Movement

14. Death Penalty and Racial Prejudice: Pros and Cons of the Method

15. The Racial and Cultural Differnces Described in How to Tame a Wild Tongue

• Civil Rights
• Women's Rights
• Gender Inequality
• Globalization
• Pornography
• Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Individual Rights
• Pro Life (Abortion)

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94 Pride and Prejudice Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best pride and prejudice topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting pride and prejudice topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about pride and prejudice, ❓ pride and prejudice essay questions.

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen This essay contains the analysis of the novel, including the summary, description of the main characters and themes, personal opinion about the narrative, and conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay.
• Gardens in Pride and Prejudice In the novel, the author compares this garden to Darcy’s perception of himself. He boasts about how he knows the number and the location of each and every tree in the garden.
• Importance of Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” The reader observes aspects of love, hatred, and humor in characters such as Elizabeth when she reacts to her sister’s letters.
• Stereotypes of Women in “Pride and Prejudice” In this novel of manners, the author describes the character development of the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, and depicts the society of late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century England with its values and flaws. One of the […]
• Pride and Prejudice: Mrs. Bennet Bennet cares for her daughters and husband, despite the ways she chooses to show her thoughtfulness that is often improper or inconsiderate, which makes her a good wife and mother.
• Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility Macpherson asserts, In any erotic rivalry, the bond that links the two rivals is as intense and potent as the bond that links either of the rivals to the beloved.the bonds of “rivalry” and “love,” […]
• Character Analysis in Pride and Prejudice From the Feminist Perspective Darcy is a character who is able to evolve over the span of the story, and eventually, he recognizes his mistakes.Mr.
• Money, Status, and Marriage in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Women were under the care of the men of their families, and the search for a husband was the main path to higher status and wealth.
• “Pride and Prejudice”: Analysis of a Passage The story, the characters, the setting, and even the speech of the characters make strong references to the environments of the beginning of the 19th century in England.
• Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen The paper will include the explanation of the letters’ primary function and the analysis of letters. Gardiner to Lizzy is significant in a way that it changes the latter’s perception of Darcy.
• The Concepts of Identity in Ibi Zoboi’s Remix “Pride and Prejudice” The surrounding atmosphere and cultural specificities influence the characters’ personalities throughout the story and change their attitude towards the particular minorities and races.
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Characters Analysis Pride and Prejudice is, first of all, a profoundly realistic representation of characters and tempers, albeit not of the English society as a whole, but of its privileged groups since the end of the 18th […]
• Style as Character Insight: The Use of Irony and Free Indirect Discourse in Jane Austen’s Major Works This event appears to be a seminal one in the life of the author, as the social theme of marriage plays out very much in several of Jane Austen’s novels, including Emma, and Sense and […]
• Robinson Crusoe’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Daniel Defoe and Jane Austen In the novel, Robinson Crusoe, Defoe describes it as a history of facts that seeks to portray the social institutions and structures of the medieval British society.
• Pride and Prejudice: Critical Analysis A number of styles are hard to ignore in the second part of the screen play, which focuses solely on the characters and the plot.
• Why to Read “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen In addition to undermining the historical gender stereotypes, the novel portrays the importance of women’s social status in the Victorian era and their dependence on their husbands’ or parents’ financial situation.
• The Novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice can rightfully be considered one of the best works in the history of literature. But what is most striking in the book, Pride and Prejudice, is the expression of deep topics through […]
• J. Austen’s “Sense & Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, and “Emma” Dwelling in the world of words and literature, one closed to the ‘fairer sex’ of her time, she earned for herself not just the fame of a good author but one widely read even to […]
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Research Paper on the Book It is in the third chapter of the novel that Austen builds the characters of Bingley and Darcy through their manners: “Mr.
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Austen: Chapter 43 The reason for writing the piece was to explore the place of marriage in society and what is meant to women during the 18th century. In such a quote, the reader realizes that Elizabeth wanted […]
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Zombies described in the book are called the unmentionables and, to the greatest extent, correspond to the classic image introduced by George A.
• Jane Austen’s Novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ The current study explores the link between romance with the natural, the supernatural, and emotion versus reality to understand romanticism characteristics in the novel.
• Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen In spite of the predominance of this vision of the marriage and the woman’s role in society, Jane Austen in her Pride and Prejudice proposes several possible variants of realizing the scenario of meeting the […]
• The Adaptation of Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”: A Film Analysis of the Netherfield Ball Scene
• The Ages of the Reason and the Jane Austen’s Characters in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Allowance of the Dignity and Pride in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Representations of Femininity in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Changes Experienced by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Changing Relationship Between the Central Character in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Good and Bad Aspects of the Film Adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Women’s Rights in “Pride and Prejudice” and Persuasion by Jane Austen
• The Literary Analysis of “Pride and Prejudice” Through an Early Renaissance Prism
• The Mannerisms of the 19th Century in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Evolution of the Relationship of the Characters of Elizabeth and Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Matrimonial Value Orientation in “Pride and Prejudice”
• A Comparison of “The Odd Women” by George Gissing and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Portrayal of the Characters in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Pride and Prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Women’s Social Status and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Problems With Marriage: The Contrasting Relationships in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Mrs. Bennet’s Relationship With Her Children in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Representation of Civility in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin and in Part IV of “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift
• A Critique of the Regency Period in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Roles of the Bennet Parents, Elizabeth, and Jane in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Running Theme of Pride and Prejudice in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Women of Different Eras in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Bridget Jones Diary”
• The Satirization of Society’s Flaws in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Role of Property in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Significance of First Impressions in the Victorian Age Portrayed in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Similarities Between the Novel and Film Version of “Pride and Prejudice”
• Societal Pressures and Expectations in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Theme of Happiness Demands Pride to Be Replaced by Self-Respect and Humility in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Importance of Dialogue in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Satire and Comic Incidents From “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Impact of Cultural Mindsets on “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Themes of Class and Class Consciousness as Seen in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin
• The Themes of Irony, Values, and Realism in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Social Hypocrisy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Themes of Marriage, Social Class and Wealth, Love and Pride in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Use of Satire and Irony in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Value of Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Ways the Theme of Pride and Prejudice Is Revealed Through the Characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy
• Understanding the Characters Through Their Actions in “Pride and Prejudice”
• What Is the Significance of Netherfield in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Who Was Mr. Collins’ Benefactor in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Accurately Does Truth Universally Acknowledge Prove to Be in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Wealth and Class Contribute to “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen?
• What Year Did “Pride and Prejudice” Take Place?
• How Does Jane Austen Develop Mr. Collins’s Character in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Use Contrasting Characters in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Did Jane Austen Write “Pride and Prejudice” About Herself?
• How Does Austen Portray the Theme of Manners and Etiquette in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does the 1995 BBC Adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” Enhance Your Understanding of the Novel?
• How Are the Concepts of Love and Marriage Explored in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Create Her Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Are Examples of Irony in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Present the Relationship Between Darcy and Elizabeth in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Are the Reader’s First Impressions of Darcy in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Jane Austen Portray Pride in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Was Life Easier for the Young Ladies of “Pride and Prejudice” Than It Is for Young Ladies Today?
• Why Does Mr. Darcy Flex His Hand in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Follow the Conventions of a Romantic Novel?
• Why Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Is Considered a Classic Novel?
• How Does Jane Austen Present Women’s Role in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does “Pride and Prejudice” Reflect Society?
• What Is Ironic About the First Sentence in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does the First Chapter Introduce Us to the Main Themes and Central Concerns in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Is the Main Point of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Why Is the First Line of “Pride and Prejudice” So Famous?
• How Does Jane Austen Create Negative Feelings Toward Mr. Darcy in the First Few Chapters of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does “Pride and Prejudice” Reinforce or Erode Sexist Stereotypes of Women?
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Prejudice - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards an individual or group without reason or based on stereotypes. Essays on prejudice could explore the psychological and sociological origins of prejudice, its impact on society and individuals, and strategies for combating prejudice and promoting inclusivity. They might also analyze case studies of prejudice in various societal contexts, exploring the implications and the measures taken to address such biases. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Prejudice you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Women’s Rights in Pride and Prejudice

Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart."(Austen 94). Woman's rights have been a popular and important topic for the past three centuries, and will continue to be in the future. Jane Austen is widely known and praised for her controversial ideas and opinions in her literary fiction novel,Pride and Prejudice. Much before the time of the fight for women's rights, Jane Austen brought […]

Gender: Stereotypes and Prejudice

Throughout history, gender stereotypes have made themselves prominent in the lives of individuals of all cultures. A stereotype is a common biased of a certain group that is defined by oversimplistic ideas usually taught at a young age. Gender stereotypes reflect the prescriptive notions of men and women that have been predetermined by society for centuries. While many have fought for the pursuit of equality and have become liberated in their beliefs and attitudes, many of our actions can be […]

Main Causes of Discrimination

To the extent verifiable records appear, no general public or country has been insusceptible to discrimination, either as a victim or victimizer. Most of the causes of that discrimination and racism is given by fear of difference, through ignorance, and because people strive to show that they are stronger. Contemporary types of segregation go back to when European colonizers infiltrated and changed recently disengaged social orders and people groups. The more outrageous types of biased practices incorporate slavery, genocide, and […]

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Irony in Pride and Prejudice

One line that highlights Jane Austen's wit is primarily the first line of the novel ""It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife."" Austen uses verbal irony here, almost sarcasm since it means quite the opposite. The main purpose in life of underprivileged women in Austen's era is to marry a well-off husband and not vice versa. This is because if a young woman did not […]

Social and Cultural Contexts in “Pride and Prejudice”

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice written in the Georgian era is a well developed book that demonstrates the societal and cultural views of the time she was living in. The original name of the book was called ""first impressions""which incorporates with the novel's main themes such as marriage, social class, prejudice, pride and how the characters of this book can be portrayed through their point of view in this era. Throughout the book the author shows how one's judgement based […]

Garcia Definition Racism and other Definitions

Although many definitions of racism point out the ideology that one race is superior to the other, Garcia (1996) notes that such explanations fail to consider political and moral contexts; two spheres increasingly capturing the integral context of racism. Garcia's (1996) definition of racism is not necessarily based on races but rather on people's ability to differentiate within their hearts regarding racial classifications. Garcia (1996) coins the term "White racists", whom he suggests exhibit hatred against those who express love […]

“Pride and Prejudice” Satire

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is famous for satirizing society's rules and for exaggerating the extent to which they impact people. Although Austen is parodying the class structure in society throughout the whole novel, she is also enforcing the importance of self-awareness. Austen exaggerates the interactions between high and low status people because it ridicules society's rules. She condemns characters like Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine because of their inability to reject society's norms, and rewards Elizabeth because she is […]

Three Different Views of Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”

In Pride and Prejudice Austen distinctly shows three different views of marriage, Neoclassical view, Romantic view, and Middle ground. Austen has the novel revolving around the idea of marriage incorporating these three ideas. You see them shown throughout two different classes. The noble class and the middle class. The idea of the fissure in the Neoclassical View shows through Charlotte, Mr.Collins, and Mrs.bennett. Neoclassical View is taking a more logical approach towards marriage. Charlotte Lucas is an example of the […]

A Problem of Social Injustices

There have been many unjust systems when it comes to the law providing help for the people and social injustice throughout times when it came to gender for many years, women have come along way throughout the years to become a significant role in what goes on in the law system and empowering women to be able to be in most careers that were thought before to not be suitable for women. And, an issue we still in America is […]

Discrimination and Prejudice in Frankenstein

During our human history, prejudice and discrimination have existed. Prejudice refers to the irrational and inflexible attitudes that members of a particular group hold about members of another group (Sibley and Duckitt 248). Prejudices are either harmful or positive. Both forms of prejudice are usually preconceived by the people who hold them and are extremely difficult to alter (Stephan, Cookie and Stephan 33). The negative form of prejudices leads to discrimination- unjust behaviors that holders of negative prejudice direct against […]

Character Foil between Darcy and Wickham in the Novel Pride and Prejudice

In order for a reader to connect to the characters in a book and understand each of their individual qualities, authors decide to use characterization. In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, she uses both direct and indirect characterization; this being, telling the reader exactly how she wants to portray a certain character, but also including characters who contrasts with other characters, most often the protagonist, in order to bring out certain qualities. This also known as character foil. One example […]

Racism Around the World

Racism has existed for a long time, but during the last two centuries, hate towards racial minorities and majorities has changed. Racism happens every day throughout the world, anyone can be a victim of it and it will always exist. In the movie The Revenant, racism appeared to be clear when Fitzgerald expressed his hate to Glass, because Glass's wife and son were native Indians. There are three types of racism; scientific racism, cultural racism, and institutional racism (Morehouse). Scientific […]

Pride and Prejudice Analysis

The Indifference of the Gentry ""Lizzy,"" cried her mother, ""remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."" ""I did not know before,"" continued Bingley immediately, ""that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study."" ""Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage."" ""The country,"" said Darcy, ""can in general supply but a few subjects for such a […]

Expressing Feminism in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Background Information Jane Austen was an English novelist born in Hampshire, South of England on 16th December in 1775. She was very close to Cassandra, her sister. When together, the two would share a bedroom but when apart they would write to each other almost every. After Jane's death on 18th July 1817, her sister testified how the two loved each other, ""she was gilder of every pleasure, the sun of my life, and the soother of sorrow"" (Bendit 245). […]

Conflict in “Pride and Prejudice”

In order for a novel to become credited and well known, and for the authors audience to stay interested and engaged in the storyline, there needs to be a conflict of some sort, or a contrast that creates conflict. This can be achieved through a foil. A foil is a minor character who contrasts the main character so greatly, that the main character's traits are emphasized even further. A foil doesn't have to be an antagonist that plots against the […]

Wealth and Social Status in Great Expectations and Pride and Prejudice

Throughout Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin the themes of wealth and social status play a significant role, but the notions of love and friendship overcome this in both novels. The authors work of fiction show how wealth and social class influenced the characters personalities, human motives and actions. A connection can be made between the two characters Pip and Elizabeth Bennet. Even though Elizabeth is higher in class status than Pip, both characters […]

How the Criminal Justice System Discriminates

In today’s society, the issue of discrimination in the criminal justice system is a controversial issue. It is believed that there are discriminatory elements at different steps of the justice system. A person’s race may influence a police officer’s decision when making an arrest. A prosecutor may be influenced to give a harsher sentence based on the defendant's race. A jury may be influenced to convict a minority over a white American based on the color of their skin. The […]

Prejudice Towards Illegal Immigrants

Thesis: The Illegal immigrant are sometimes judged as harmful people who come to America and destroy this country. However, most of them are very hardworking people looking for a better life to support their families. Illegal immigrants come to the United States to keep their families safety Immigrants contribute to the United States workforce About 90 percent of undocumented immigrants in the nation work 2. If employers can keep wages down by hiring illegal immigrants, then these savings are presumably […]

The Impact of Feminist Undertones in Pride and Prejudice

During the eighteenth century, feminism was a subject that was scarcely considered in society, as it was defined the theory of the political, economic and social equality between the sexes. The aspect of feminism did not gain the comprehensive structure until the late 20th century. As not being widely known for during her time period, Jane Austen uses the concept of feminism to be portrayed in a discreet technique in her novel "Pride and Prejudice". Furthermore, she displays her perspectives […]

Concept of Marrying for Love in “Pride and Prejudice”

The classic literature that I have selected is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and was published in 1813. I am interested in this topic to understand that the concept of marrying for love and marrying for wealth still exists even in today's society. An example from my life that relates to this story is not giving up my happiness to please my family. That if and when I choose to marry, I would marry for love and marry whom […]

Prejudice and Discrimination in College

Everyone at some point has seen a significant change that social media has done in its own role to display prejudice and discrimination. I have witnessed it myself through social ports and daily news. The overflowing negativity of news in which we may not want to hear can trigger a feeling of "How can we stop this?", or perhaps what we can we contribute to change the world around us. The fact is that prejudice and discrimination aren't only a […]

Making Racism Obsolete

Does racism still exist? Some would say no?, but some would agree that racism is a cut that won't heal. Molefi Kete Asante is a professor at Temple University and has written many books during his career. In this analysis I will dissect Asante's work covering racism from the past, present and the future moving forward. Asante argues that America is divided between two divisions, the Promise and the Wilderness. Historically, African Americans has been at a disadvantage politically, socially, […]

What is the most Difficult Prejudice to Overcome in America Today?

Across the nations of the whole world, millions of Americans of any race always turn on their television or even read their newspapers and see great images of well dressed, articulate black people advertising their different products as represented by their companies. The black individual professionals in all arenas of work has been seen rising to a point when you see a black attorney, physician or even a college professor is a common sight. Many black people in United States […]

Prejudice in to Kill a Mockingbird

As a very powerful attitude that is either negative or hostile, prejudice refers to a very unfavorable feeling about a person or group simply because the person or group has membership with a particular group; prejudice is formed without any thought, reason, or knowledge to support the belief (Aronson, Wilson, Akert, & Sommers, 2016). When people are prejudiced against a particular group, they will engage in unenthusiastic and adverse behaviors toward anyone who is a member of the group against […]

Racism and Racial Prejudice in Othello

In the book, Othello, by William Shakespeare, we see a big impact of racism and racial prejudice. Othello shows a lot of this and how it gets in the way by restraining love in society. He is a black man who is also a great and successful war soldier. He dedicates himself to serve society's goals by fighting for his country. Even though, Othello is a Moor, he is the most hardworking and the most respected. When it comes to […]

Examination of 19th Century English Society and Realism in Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice, a novel set in the early 19th century, can be used to study British society in the era when it was written. The aspects of life in the early 19th century that can be examined are historical context, marriage and gender roles, class, income, land ownership, and reputation. Pride and Prejudice, a novel by Jane Austen, was written during the turn of the century, which was one of the most transformative eras in European History. This novel […]

Racism in the United States of America

Racism is a common theme seen throughout history. Throughout history several groups of people have been affected by racism. Throughout history it hasn’t been just one group but many groups if not all have experienced it. In Contemporary Literature we explored topics of racism along with sexual assault. We learned that Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior;and that throughout history there have been […]

Pride and Prejudice Book Vs Movie

Jane Austen, one of England’s most famous authors, wrote many novels including, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. These novels have continued to inspire generations past her own even three hundred years later. Her novels have been adapted in productions ranging from Hollywood to Bollywood and each drawing the attention of her fan base. One of her most famous novels, Pride and Prejudice follows the story of a couple, separated by their economic statuses, and how their differences, one’s […]

Pride and Prejudice Literary Analysis

Jane Austen portrays Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice with many different characteristic traits. He is a lot more than an awkward little man. Mr. Collins is confident, well-connected, arrogant, prideful, and he has a false sense of humility. He has a lot of layers and is not just a two-dimensional character, but a complex character who cannot be summed up into one word. Mr. Collins is first mentioned in the novel when he sends a letter to Mr. Bennet […]

A Story of Racial Injustice, Sexism and Prejudice in to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird is a story of racial injustice, sexism, and many other types of prejudice. Perhaps the most obvious form of prejudice found in the novel is racism. Tom Robinson was a hardworking, charitable person, who always put the needs of others above his own, but because of his skin colour. He was chosen as a target of racial prejudice, by those too ignorant to recognize his kindness, and care for all those around him. The […]

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Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Major Themes in Pride and Prejudice

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Pride and Prejudice is full of character-driven themes that revolve around the literary concept of “comedy of manners.” A comedy of manners is a literary work that deals with young lovers attempting to unite in marriage, and usually includes several incidences of witty commentary from the main characters, which can take form in terms of anything from clever flirting to open warfare, as in the case of Darcy and Elizabeth. Pride and Prejudice is mainly concerned with the pairing of several couples and the issues surrounding each of those couples. The pursuit of marriage in this novel brings the other major themes to light.

The novel’s title itself indicates one of the major themes of the novel. All of the characters in this novel (with the exception of Jane and Bingley) suffer from the sins of both pride and prejudice. This is evident in Darcy’s introduction, when the entire neighborhood is set against Darcy (and he against them):

Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien—and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance of his having ten thousand a year . . . and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance (6).

Thus Hertfordshire society looks down upon Darcy for the remainder of the novel. This introduction to Darcy also demonstrates an important point about the relationship between pride and prejudice—one leads to the other. The affront that the neighborhood has suffered by Darcy’s refusal to interact with them leads to their prejudice. Darcy, possessing pride as well, is no better, as he develops a bias against the neighborhood and the Bennett family in particular. This intolerance leads to Darcy’s interference in and prevention of Jane and Bingley’s romance. Elizabeth also suffers from both pride and prejudice, as her mortification over Darcy’s description of Elizabeth as “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt” him (7), and his proud behavior at the first party at Netherfield, as she rejects Darcy’s first proposal:

“From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry”(145).

While Darcy and Elizabeth are alike in terms of personality and ability, and the offer of marriage would be financially and socially advantageous to Elizabeth, her hatred of Darcy, based on her impression of him, determines her decision.

Austen presents two solutions to the problems created by pride and prejudice. The first is to avoid either. Jane and Bingley exemplify this idea. Neither has any pride, and they are not easily prejudiced by the comments of others. When Jane hears of the rumors regarding Wickham, she refuses to believe any of them without proof, whether it is Wickham’s claims of Darcy’s abuse, or Wickham’s infamous escapades with money and Georgiana Darcy. Bingley is of a similar mindset, and refuses to believe or internalize any of the criticisms of his sisters or Darcy regarding anyone in Hertfordshire. Jane and Bingley’s capability to avoid both pride and prejudice is what brings about their happiness at the end of the novel, because their goodness is truly unaffected.

For most of the characters, as well as the rest of us, the faults of pride and prejudice cannot be so easily remedied. Austen gives the rest of us our answer to the problems of these two failings through the development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. The heated exchange between these two characters in Chapter 34 and Darcy’s subsequent letter in Chapter 35 demonstrates both the effects of pride and prejudice and the solution to the problem. Elizabeth’s accusations of Darcy’s pride and his interference in the lives of Jane and Wickham make Darcy reexamine his attitude toward Jane and toward his behavior. Darcy thinks about his mistakes, and by doing so, is able to recognize them, as he tells Elizabeth after she accepts his second proposal:

“The recollection of what I then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: ‘had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.’ Those were your words. You know not, you can scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me; though it was some time, I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice” (275).

Despite his earlier convictions about the Bennetts’ inferiority and the offense that Darcy’s pride has taken through his attraction to Elizabeth, Darcy is able to conquer his negative ideas so that he can see the error of his ways.

Elizabeth, too, must conquer her own pride and prejudices in order to see Darcy’s worth. When Darcy explains his actions in Chapter 35 as a result of the conversation during the previous chapter, Elizabeth must come to terms with several of the problems that she has ignored or avoided throughout the novel. She must acknowledge Jane’s appearance of indifference toward Bingley, which even Charlotte Lucas has previously noted to her. Elizabeth must admit that she might be wrong about Wickham, especially given his refusal to be in the same room as Darcy and his attentions toward Miss King. And most difficult of all, Elizabeth must deal with the impropriety of her parents and her younger sisters, all of which she has known but refused to censure her father for because she adored him so much. Like Darcy, Elizabeth must review and review these facts until she can put aside her prejudices against Darcy so that they can be together.

Another theme that appears in the novel is the relationship between reputation and marriage. Because the lack of money and societal connections often made it difficult for middle-class girls to marry, a girl’s reputation needed to be carefully guarded and maintained. The damage created by a thoughtless act was often irreparable, especially when it came to issues of romance, and one action by one daughter often destroyed the reputation of the entire family. This is what makes Lydia’s elopement with Wickham so horrible for the Bennett girls—she has not only jeopardized her own status in society by running away with Wickham, but she has also greatly damaged the opportunities of her sisters. Any possible suitors would not want anything to do with a family that cannot teach one of their girls to act properly. This action immediately ruins the developing romance between Darcy and Elizabeth, who are clearly on the path to marriage until Jane’s letter announcing Lydia’s escapade interrupts them. The problem is compounded by the “vulgarity” of the rest of the Bennet family—the obnoxious whining of Mrs. Bennet, the neglect of Mr. Bennet, the pompous attitude of Mary, and the insipid nature of Kitty. Any author attempting to uphold the guilt-by-association tendencies of Regency society would have ended the novel in tragedy at this point, because Darcy and Bingley would never gain any societal advantage from associating with Elizabeth and Jane.

Austen, however, disagrees with the stereotyping of families and daughters in particular by the thoughtlessness of their relatives, and demonstrates that those who are strong enough to question the practices of society can be rewarded for it. Both Darcy and Bingley, who have taken the time to get to know and understand Elizabeth and Jane, see past Lydia’s foolishness and recognize the value of the women they love. They choose to ignore the dictates of their society for marital happiness. That happiness will help them overcome their problems. Bingley and Jane must tolerate the Wickhams, and are so irritated by them that even Bingley starts to hint that he might ask them to leave (which is extreme for someone who likes everyone). Darcy and Elizabeth must deal with Lady Catherine, whose anger takes a long time to abate. However, by the end of the novel it is clear that both couples have made the right choice, and despite their problems are rewarded for their willingness to move past the pride and prejudices of themselves and their society.

Cite this page as follows:

Foster, Michael. "Pride and Prejudice - Major Themes in Pride and Prejudice." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 10 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/pride-and-prejudice/critical-essays/essays-criticism#critical-essays-essays-criticism-major-themes-pride-prejudice>

Good Matches in Pride and Prejudice

The primary concern of Pride and Prejudice is to determine how a young girl of some intelligence and beauty but not much money can enter into a good marriage in Regency England—a time and place in which a good marriage was determined almost entirely by the opportunity for money, status, and “connections” (networking) between families and businesses. Austen criticizes this concept of marriage as financial and social advancement, and instead contends that a good marriage consists of two people who are of similar mind and talents.

In order to understand what is at stake for all of the girls in the novel, it must first be understood that there were very few options available to the daughters of a gentleman such as Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters. Professions for “respectable” women at the time were scarce—the only viable career choice would be as a governess for young children. Since those jobs were few and far between, the most realistic (and sometimes only) option for young women of Austen’s time was marriage. This, of course, made the availability of brides to men plentiful, increasing the anxiety of parents of young girls who did not have enough money, status, or beauty to attract rich young men. Austen addresses the desperation felt by parents who needed to marry off their daughters at the very beginning of the novel: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (1). This spot of humor highlights the major dilemma of not only the Bennett sisters but thousands of girls in Austen’s time—the desperation of parents to marry their daughters off to the first unmarried man with money that comes along.

Austen presents several attitudes toward the problem of attaining a marriage with underwhelming money, status, and/or looks. The first character to marry in the novel is Charlotte Lucas, who demonstrates her opinion on the concept of a good match in her discussion with Elizabeth regarding Jane and Bingley:

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation, and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life” (16).

Charlotte is advocating not knowing anything about a spouse before getting married because she believes that the less you know, the better. This philosophy, which Elizabeth immediately dismisses as “not sound,” is what leads Charlotte to agree to marry Mr. Collins, a buffoon who will be a constant source of embarrassment and distress to Charlotte. Many characters in the novel, as well as Regency society itself, would consider Mr. Collins a tremendous match for the plain, nearly-spinster Charlotte, who has been previously unsuccessful in attracting a husband. After all, Mr. Collins is a respectable man whose position as a minister for the well-respected Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the envy of many. He will have money and standing throughout his life, and will eventually even inherit Longbourn. It is no wonder, then, that Mrs. Bennett is angry with Elizabeth for turning down an offer of marriage from such an eligible man. However, Austen soon vindicates her heroine because only a few months later, Charlotte is miserable in her marriage despite her social and marital status. Austen demonstrates Charlotte’s mistake in failing to get to know her prospective husband before the point of no return.

Marriage that is based on looks and physical attraction does not work any better than marrying for status. The Bennets, we are told, marry because they were both good looking:

[Elizabeth’s] father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humor which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her (176).

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett wed because they are physically attracted to each other, but, like Charlotte and Mr. Collins, learn nothing of their prospective spouse’s personality. As a result, they soon find they have nothing in common and by the beginning of the action of this novel cannot even stand to be in the same room for long periods of time. This lack of understanding and tolerance has a devastating effect on the Bennett daughters, as Mr. Bennett’s intolerance of his wife leads him to leave his youngest three daughters alone, which is why they become so silly. Elizabeth acknowledges this after noting Lydia and Kitty’s vulgar behavior with the militia:

But she had never felt so strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents, talents which rightly used might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife (177).

Mr. Bennett’s loathing of his wife is no excuse for his parental neglect, and he is responsible for not guiding Mary, Kitty, and Lydia properly. Lydia and Wickham are no better off—they foolishly run off to London without knowing much of anything of each other because they too are attracted to each other. Lydia is a carbon copy of her mother, and Wickham, who is far more cunning, soon tires of her. Had they bothered to acquaint themselves with each other, they might have avoided the Bennets’ fate.

Jane Austen’s concept of a good match is more than looks and status—it is a match of character and intelligence. Darcy and Elizabeth are proof of this. Both characters demonstrate their intelligence and wit throughout the novel, often through their verbal sparring with each other. Both suffer from their own pride, as well as the prejudice created by each other’s actions. However, Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy’s comments and actions in the beginning of the novel is much more severe than Darcy’s, which explains why he falls in love with Elizabeth long before she has any interest in him. While Elizabeth’s personality appeals to him, Darcy is convinced that he is superior to Elizabeth because he has the same expectations of a match that those of his society maintain. This sense of superiority is a tremendous offense to Elizabeth in Chapter 34, and she has little trouble rejecting Darcy because he is so rude. Elizabeth, however, is not innocent either, and believes herself to be superior to Darcy because she thinks she is not as rude as he is. The reality of the situation, however, is that Elizabeth is just as dissatisfied with people as Darcy is:

“The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense” (101-102).

At this point in the novel, Darcy is attracted to Elizabeth beyond reason, but as this would send him down the same road as the Bennets or the Wickhams, it is insufficient to woo Elizabeth, and thus the proposal cannot be accepted until Darcy learns that Elizabeth is an equal.

Fortunately for both of them, Darcy and Elizabeth come to realize that they are indeed equals. Darcy meets the Gardiners, who demonstrate that Elizabeth’s relations can not only act in a civilized manner, but can actually be a delight to speak to. Elizabeth sees the regard of Darcy’s servants for their master, and witnesses the behavior of the reformed Darcy at Pemberley. Both use their intelligence to see past their own pride and the prejudices that have been formed, and are ready by the end of the novel to be together. However, one last issue remains—the impact of society’s prejudices on Elizabeth and Darcy. When Lydia runs away with Wickham, society’s values at the time would dictate that Darcy end his pursuit of Elizabeth because any connection with a family whose daughter would thoughtlessly run away with a man without getting married would poison that person’s status in society permanently. Darcy sees past this, solves the problem by bribing Wickham (which is a great source of pain considering Wickham’s insidious attempt at elopement with Georgiana). Elizabeth must deal with the venom of Lady Catherine, who makes her prejudices against Elizabeth and her family plain in the rudest possible way. Austen rewards the efforts of Elizabeth and Darcy to see past their own limitations and the limitations imposed by the society around them with domestic felicity, as it is clear at the end of the novel that they are indeed a good match.

Foster, Michael. "Pride and Prejudice - Good Matches in Pride and Prejudice." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 10 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/pride-and-prejudice/critical-essays/essays-criticism#critical-essays-essays-criticism-good-matches-pride-prejudice>

Humor in Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is an extremely funny novel, but most students miss the humor because of difficulty with the language. Close examination of Austen’s ironic and scathing treatment of specific characters and scenes in the novel not only helps to clarify the novel’s major themes, but also makes Pride and Prejudice an enjoyable experience.

The novel is sarcastic from its opening line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (1). This is obviously not true—as any major movie star or rock singer can attest. Austen is ironically stating that when a young, rich, single man is in the neighborhood, people are always trying to set him up with a girl, whether or not he wants to be. This is because, as Austen notes, once he moves into a neighborhood, he becomes the "rightful property” of the girls of the area. This idea of targeting available young men for marriage is the central topic of the novel, as every family in Hertfordshire is attempting to hitch up Mr. Bingley to their daughters. This line also shows the desperation of the families in attempting to attain wealth and connections at all costs.

The first declared victim of this targeting mentality, Mrs. Bennet, is one of the funniest (and the stupidest) characters in Pride and Prejudice . In Chapter 1, Mrs. Bennet is completely oblivious to Mr. Bennet’s sarcasm because she is incapable of understanding anything remotely intelligent, and she is completely fixated on the idea of Mr. Bingley, the latest rich and available young man to move into the neighborhood. Mr. Bennett teases Mrs. Bennet by telling her that there is no need for him to introduce himself to Bingley, which there really is, as the societal rules of the time dictated that the father of a family must first introduce themselves to a new neighbor (especially a male) before the rest of the family was permitted to visit. The teasing comes to a head when Mrs. Bennet exclaims that Mr. Bennet has no regard for her delicate nerves, to which he replies: “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least” (2). In reality, Mr. Bennet has no respect for his wife’s feelings at all because she is so ridiculous. Austen clarifies this shortly hereafter, when she describes the Bennets as a couple:

Mr. Bennet was odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She 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 daughters married; its solace was visiting and news (3).

In other words, Mr. Bennet is a smart aleck and Mrs. Bennet is a whiny hypochondriac whose only goals in life are getting her daughters married and gossip. This is indicative of both characters throughout the novel: anything that comes out of Mr. Bennet’s mouth is sarcastic and/or insulting, and whatever Mrs. Bennet says is idiotic and loud. This mismatch of tempers and abilities highlights one of the novel’s most significant themes, the concept of a good match as a unity of similar characters and temperaments as opposed to marriage for the sake of attraction.

Unfortunately, the Bennet marriage also exemplifies another warning from Austen—the ramifications of a bad match on children. The Bennets’ inability to understand each other and get along results in Mr. Bennet’s neglect of his three youngest daughters: Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. He leaves them to his wife to raise because after his patience has worn out after Jane and Elizabeth, and this neglect is what makes these three girls so “silly.” Lydia is an airheaded flirt whose selfishness nearly ruins everything for all of her sisters, and Kitty is a nervous wreck who is far too easily influenced by Lydia’s lead. However, the oldest of the three silly girls, Mary, is another source of amusement in the novel. Mary is sarcastically introduced in the novel by her father, who facetiously appeals to the “wisdom” that she has gathered from great amounts of reading: “’What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books, and make extracts’” (4). Despite reflecting deeply and reading always, Mary has no ability to apply the knowledge she has gathered, and is just as much of an idiot as her mother is. Austen demonstrates this immediately with Mary’s lack of a response to her father’s taunt: “Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.” This is Mary’s problem throughout the novel, as she says a great many things, but absolutely none of them are sensible. Another example of this occurs after Elizabeth finishes playing the piano at the second gathering of the novel, where she is quickly succeeded by Mary, who devours any chance at attention even though she cannot sing. Austen then describes Mary more thoroughly:

Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application [perseverance], it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well (17).

Mary’s vanity and know-it-all attitude make her intolerable to everyone around her, but it is the result of the neglect of her father, who could have taught her proper manners and could have helped in her education, as he had done with Jane and Elizabeth. Elizabeth notes this failing in her father later on in the novel, reminding us that the consequence of a bad match is often miserable and neglected children.

Another of Austen’s humor targets is Mr. Collins. With the possible exception of Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins is the biggest buffoon of Pride and Prejudice . His letter of introduction in the novel makes his silliness obvious:

[F]or having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh...whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be very ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England (47).

Mr. Collins sees his primary job as Lady Catherine’s doormat (which is a good thing, since she is determined to treat him and every other character in the novel that way), and will also force himself to baptize, marry, and bury the members of his parish whenever time permits. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet immediately recognize that he may not necessarily be “sensible,” and their assessment is justified when Mr. Collins arrives shortly thereafter. He constantly praises everything, down to the most minute piece of furniture. He also apologizes profusely for the smallest thing, a habit appreciated by no one except Mary and Mrs. Bennet. His constant remarks of admiration for Lady Catherine, whose condescension and sheer rudeness equal the money she possesses, irritate virtually everyone around him.

One of the best examples of the failings of Mr. Collins and of humor in the novel in general is Mr. Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth. When Mr. Collins asks Mrs. Bennet for a private word with Elizabeth, Elizabeth tries to avoid being alone with him by first saying that no one needs to leave, and then tries to leave the room herself, but is stayed by her mother’s order. Then Mr. Collins begins his declarations of love for Elizabeth: “’Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life’” (80). This statement is false, since he initially shows interest in Jane and only makes up his mind for Elizabeth when Mrs. Bennet tells him that Jane is practically engaged to Bingley. He then proceeds to list his reasons for marrying, all of which basically boil down to the fact that Lady Catherine told him he should, which is hardly romantic. He also goes so far as to say that the best thing about marrying him is that Elizabeth will get to be near Lady Catherine herself, which, in Mr. Collins’ mind, is the ultimate reason to marry anyone. Elizabeth is, not surprisingly, not enticed by this proposal, and refuses Mr. Collins. This hilarious and awkward scenario, a primer on what not to do when one proposes, is also a reminder to Austen’s audience that the only reason to marry anyone is for true love—love that is based on understanding and equality of mind and character, not love of status or beauty. Unfortunately, Mr. Collins is so dense that he does not believe Elizabeth, and therefore persists several more times before he finally gives up his suit and proposes to Charlotte Lucas, who he does not even know. This point is exemplified later through the Collins’ marriage, as Charlotte is completely miserable and must encourage her husband to be away from her as much as possible.

There are many other examples of humor in this novel. From Darcy and Elizabeth’s verbal war to the nonsensical behavior of the sillier characters in the novel, Austen’s use of irony, both verbal and situational, makes her examination of the rules of courtship and society a joy to read, and her style also emphasizes her major points. Pride and Prejudice is the perfect example of humor’s ability to teach important lessons about life.

Foster, Michael. "Pride and Prejudice - Humor in Pride and Prejudice." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 10 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/pride-and-prejudice/critical-essays/essays-criticism#critical-essays-essays-criticism-humor-pride-prejudice>

Pride and Prejudice: Historical Background and Treatment of Men and Women

Pride and Prejudice published in 1813, is Jane Austen's second, and probably best known novel, though it was originally published anonymously. Austen began Pride and Prejudice in 1796 under the title First Impressions . Her family found the novel entertaining and continued to reread it for at least two years. By 1799, she'd begun working on Eleanor and Marianne , which was later published as Sense and Sensibility in 1811. She again began revision work on First Impressions , though she was forced to retitle it as the name had already been used by another novelist. Pride and Prejudice finds its popular appeal in its control of language, wit, clever dialogue, and charming representations of human foible portrayed in characters such as Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Mrs. Bennet. It is a far more mature and better written novel than Sense and Sensibility.

Known as a novel of manners, it, like Emma (1816), another popular Austen novel often used in the classroom, portrays the life of gentility in a small, rural society. Austen dramatizes the delicate and precarious nature of a society based on an ecology of manners. In such a society, the well-being of everyone hinges on people maintaining their proper places and behaving according to a strict code of manners. For the Bennet girls, their chances of marriage fall precipitously with every show of impropriety.

From the beginning, it is important to understand the very real danger that faces the Bennet girls if they do not marry. Upon Mr. Bennet's death, the girls' cousin, Mr. Collins, will inherit Longbourn. That means that the family will have no source of support and no place to live. A marriage of one of the girls to a wealthy man would provide a solution, but there is another problem, even for Jane and Elizabeth who do not suffer from ill-bred, vulgar behavior as their sisters do. Each girl possesses a negligible dowry to entice a prospective husband. Any man who chooses to marry a poor girl must do so for love or to acquire a good wife. Clearly Kitty, Mary, and Lydia will not make good wives. They have not been brought up to behave properly. Indeed, with the example of the loud, tactless Mrs. Bennet, it is a wonder that Elizabeth and Jane have managed to grow up so well.

Mrs. Bennet cannot be the only one blamed for the poor behavior of her daughters. Mr. Bennet keeps himself aloof from his wife's quirks, using them only as fodder for his dry wit. When Mrs. Bennet sends Jane on horseback to Netherfield, plotting that Jane should catch cold, Mr. Bennet, though making disparaging comments, does not attempt to stop her. He is as ineffective a parent as she is, taking no responsibility for the improprieties of the girls, until Lydia's elopement. At this point he realizes he has been derelict as a parent and attempts to change. This is part of Austen's goal to teach the necessity of proper behavior, of taking responsibility for one's actions. Thus is it important that both Darcy and Elizabeth admit to their Pride and Prejudice and the mistakes that they have made. In doing so, they seek to learn from their mistakes, but also they recognize the danger of such rash opinionated behavior, such as that of Darcy's childhood friend, Wickham. Mr. Wickham was nearly the ruin of both of them and their families.

However, in spite of Wickham's and Lydia's complete break with propriety, and the danger that she places the rest of her family in, she neither learns from her mistakes, nor suffers particularly from them. In a world where so much depends on people fulfilling their positions, behaving properly, punishment is a luxury that society cannot afford. For if Lydia were punished, perhaps ostracized, the rest of the family, and through them friends and the rest of the community, would suffer. The taint of scandal and gossip serve to make women ineligible to marry. In this small community, no one could afford to associate with the Bennets. At the same time, maintaining that sort of ostracism would cause schism and the ecology of the community would be forever crippled, if not destroyed completely. Therefore, Lydia must be forgiven and her improprieties overlooked. This is only possible because she has returned to the fold, once again conforming within the bounds of acceptable behavior. Once she and Wickham have married, they have sufficiently rectified their situation and no longer pose a danger to the society.

Austen does remain cautious about marriage without some sort of attachment, or marriage between people of comparable characters. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins, suffering for the rest of her life with an obsequious fool and under the thumb of Lady de Bourgh. In exchange for security, she has given up her individuality and freedom. And while Austen does suggest that individuality must be contained within the codes and mores of society, it should not be repressed all together. Individualism has the power to add zest and charm to life, as long as it does not subvert the community. This sort of conforming individualism is best exemplified in Elizabeth. She is a unique character, abiding by the social demands of the community, yet at the same time her sharp wit and humor make her the only woman that engages Darcy's mind and heart.

Feminists have criticized Austen's portrayal of women in Pride and Prejudice as being too passive. None of the women ever take active control of their lives. They instead must wait until men act. Jane must wait for Bingley, and when he leaves Netherfield, she cannot contact him or ask for any explanation. Similarly, when Lydia disappears with Wickham, none of the Bennet women—who incidentally will be more fundamentally affected by the events than anyone else—are allowed to do anything to retrieve Lydia. Instead they must wait at home for news. This enforced passivity reinforces the traditional view of women as helpless and delicate. Men must take care of women since they are incapable of managing for themselves. However, it should be noted that Austen gives most of the dialogue to the women throughout the novel.

Another thing that many readers notice about Austen's novels, is that in spite of the fact that she writes during the political turmoil of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, the growing Industrial Revolution, and the escalating political and social upheaval in England, except for the officers stationed m Meryton, there is no evidence of any of this strife in her novels. Austen herself notes that she knows little of the world at large and instead chooses to write about what she does know. However, it is clear that she does not know how to write male characters well. As mentioned above, much of the dialog in the novel is given to women. Some critics have suggested that Austen herself was not familiar enough with men to write believable male characters. When Elizabeth accepts Darcy's proposal, Austen only vaguely suggests his reaction: "he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do."

Austen's writings had great influence on a number of writers throughout the century. Glimpses of Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins can be found in Dickens Elizabeth's sharp wit can be found in Thackeray, Eden, and Trollope. Her exploration of manners and the constrictions of women were taken up by later women writers such as George Eliot, Sarah Grand, and Elizabeth Gaskell. She helped to legitimize the novel as an art form. At the same time, she set an example for other women writers, showing them that even without the expansive education given to men, women could still make valuable contributions.

Source: Diana Francis, in an essay for Novels for Students , Gale, 1997. Francis is a doctoral candidate at Ball State University.

"Pride and Prejudice - Pride and Prejudice: Historical Background and Treatment of Men and Women." Novels for Students, Vol. 1. Gale Cengage, 10 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/pride-and-prejudice/critical-essays/essays-criticism#critical-essays-essays-criticism-pride-prejudice-historical-background-treatment>

The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice

Students, like many critics, question the point of the last volume (the final 19 chapters) of Pride and Prejudice because they already know who will "get" whom. Many feminist scholars portray Austen's happy unions as either sexist, sellouts, or parodies. But critics' declared dissatisfaction with marriage as a narrative resolution is never reconciled with unexamined prejudices against single women. A number of critics themselves reiterate the tired news that Austen was a "spinster," a term that Austen's books never once invoke and that hardly defends singleness as a liberating option. The twin assumptions that neither single nor married women can be powerful, useful, or happy leads to a deadlier myth, the curiously perverse axiom that suicide is woman's only "life-affirming" choice. In fact, the art—particularly Kate Chopin's The Awakening—and the authors—Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath—in vogue during the last few decades have often been seen as glorifying death as the only way out for women in an inexorably unjust culture. By implication, simply surviving, let alone coping, becomes synonymous with compromising. The last third of Pride and Prejudice , however, imagines an alternative: far from smothering under a shroud of "the marriage plot," Elizabeth Bennet works out a new institution of love based on a new conception of self.

After the crisis of Elizabeth's initial embarrassment at Mr. Darcy' s unexpected arrival at Pemberley, including her "amazement at the alteration in his manner," Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle the Gardiners "were again surprised, and Elizabeth's astonishment was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy approaching them." Elizabeth's second surprise is that "he really intended to meet them." The encounter here between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy encapsulates the recurring action of this final volume; Elizabeth continually assumes that Mr. Darcy will "strike into some other path," but whenever the "turning" that obscures him fades away, he always turns up, "and at no great distance"—in fact, "immediately before" her. Every time that "her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot . . . whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then was," she finds that he is on an errand expressly to see or to help her.

In the woods of Pemberley, Elizabeth is far from imagining that Mr. Darcy is on such a quest. In fact, she begins an alternating pattern of distancing herself from him—fancying that her friendly praise "might be mischievously construed"—yet nevertheless bewildering herself with his mystery: "Why is he so altered?. . . It cannot be for me , it cannot be for my sake." Always the stunning answer is that her "reproofs at Hunsford [did] work such a change as this," because "it is [not] impossible that he should still love" her. Mr. Darcy himself later explains why he does not "avoid her as his greatest enemy," by distinguishing between hatred and anger: he could never hate her, and even his anger "soon began to take a proper direction"—at himself. Through an affecting contrast, Austen honors this man's exceptionally receptive resilience. Elizabeth's response to the events at Hunsford had been an inability to "feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again"; Mr. Darcy, however, not only wishes to continue as Elizabeth's friend but hopes that his sister, Georgiana, may come to know her as well.

The trope of Elizabeth's shock will be picked up when she is home at Longbourn, looking out the window to see Mr. Darcy riding up to the house with Mr. Bingley. The narrator explains, "Her astonishment at his coming was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in Derbyshire." Elizabeth's surprise is great because she has felt that the disgrace of Lydia's elopement would destroy Mr. Darcy's affection. But we also learn that although Mr. Darcy continues to astound, the shock is lessening and is now only "almost equal" to what she had felt before. The stupefaction Elizabeth experiences here, like that created by Mr. Darcy's behavior at Pemberley, reflects the conventional belief that men cannot be loyal and deeply attached lovers. Mr. Darcy's arrival at Longbourn enlarges Elizabeth's expectations of men's capacity to love. One measure is that when he returns yet again, after Lady Catherine de Bourgh has stormed through Longbourn vowing to separate her from Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth now only "half expect[s]" him not to come.

Back in Lambton, Elizabeth had begun to rely on Mr. Darcy's affection, or on her own "power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses." But that confidence is shattered by the news of Lydia Bennet's elopement. For readers swept by a growing excitement at Elizabeth's discovery of Fitzwilliam Darcy's "impossible" power "still [to] love me," the turning point at the lodgings is a careful frustration of our hopes, a transformation of exhilaration to anguish. Elizabeth mistakenly, and conventionally, reads Mr. Darcy's "earnest meditation" about how to find Mr. Wickham as a sign that "her power was sinking." The inadequacy of Elizabeth's equation of love with "power" is suggested by a sudden shift in tone. From the pathos of "she could neither wonder nor condemn," the narrator unexpectedly swells into sentimental cliches: "but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress." "Of course not," respond students, who readily see that women's self-sacrifice is silly. Elizabeth realizes only "now, when all love must be vain," that she "could have loved him"; yet she, at least as much as Mr. Darcy, must let go of such traditional, and false, visions of sexual relations.

At issue are assumptions about the selfishness and instability of men's love. When Elizabeth discovers that Mr Darcy had been at Lydia's wedding, "conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her brain," but they "seemed most improbable." However, what she considers her most farfetched fancies will be "proved beyond their greatest extent to be true." Elizabeth's inability to conceive that Mr. Darcy could cherish a concern for her as "ardent" as hers for Jane culminates when we learn that while her new respect for Mr. Darcy is fervent, it still does not do him justice. "Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry" that she had not concealed the elopement from "all those who were not immediately on the spot." By designating Mr. Darcy as just another bystander, Elizabeth would, in her yearning for secrecy, negate her unreflecting confidence—her disclosure of how fully she has accepted his revelations about Mr. Wickham—and deprive herself of Mr. Darcy's delicately underspoken comfort. But Elizabeth's regrets are hilariously inappropriate because the joyful truth is that Lydia's problems never would have been solved had Elizabeth not confided in Mr Darcy. Only he knew how to find Mr. Wickham.

Elizabeth's doubts about the possibility of allegiance from Fitzwilliam Darcy are hardly a private matter. Neither Austen's culture nor our own has traditionally demanded much of men as lovers. William Collins's spleen when Elizabeth refuses him reflects the customary churlishness of the disappointed suitor. Mr Darcy's own first movement toward Elizabeth embodies the sexist view that he is a good catch who has only to choose and be accepted, that no matter how he has insulted any woman, she will be happy either to dance with or marry him whenever he can force himself to ask. The novel does not support such conventional views. Most students have been raised on the interwoven notions of women's craving for men and men's indifference to women, a trope misnamed "the battle of the sexes" and a heritage that Pride and Prejudice explicitly invokes in its opening torture scenes in which Mr. Bennet baits Mrs. Bennet. Readers continue to adore Mr. Bennet's bitter humor on a first reading and only later learn to reevaluate that continual breach of conjugal obligation and decorum which . . . was so highly reprehensible." Pride and Prejudice offers a vision of love in which women and men may care about each other with a passionate tenderness at least equal to that felt by strongly united sisters: the other person' s well-being is simply and immediately crucial. Mr. Darcy's concern for Elizabeth is so great, so sublimely disinterested, that, whether or not she loves him, he wants to make her happy and never claim the credit.

At stake is how we recognize romance. What are the signs in others that we respond to as allure, and what are the alterations in ourselves that we identify as passion? What Pride and Prejudice offers to Elizabeth Bennet through Fitzwilliam Darcy is a sexuality that casts away usual power relations with their traditional alternatives of confrontation and capitulation, when men sweep women off their feet but both sides nurse an underlying narcissism as their truly dominant passion. The traditional proposal Mr Darcy made at Hunsford betrays a masturbatory fixation with his own desires and sacrifices, however, his avowal of love in the lanes near Longbourn portrays a generous focus on Elizabeth Bennet, foretelling a relation of listening reciprocity. Mr Darcy's reform is convincing because it is based on a goodness and generosity that Elizabeth had never credited him with, and it is moving because it is unimaginable according to cultural ideas of men's capacity and feelings. The sexual politics of the relation between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy locates erotic pleasure in kindnesses that any person can show another. To women Austen offers a vision in which nothing about men's honest devotion is too good to be true—a prophecy that women need not settle for less. In a final volume made up almost exclusively of characters' astonishment at how others' actions surpass or betray their expectations, the delicately crocheted chain of Elizabeth's surprises carefully builds excitement over reunions that we are asked to celebrate because they change our ideas about what love, even marriage, can mean.

Yet as Elizabeth discovers Mr. Darcy's affection, she must explore her own—in a process that protects the integrity and disinterestedness of her attachment. "She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare." Her effort to "make [her feelings] out," as she "lay awake two whole hours" is a comic reversal of an earlier moment when, with "something like regret," she had toyed with envy about the position as "mistress of Pemberley." Now, as Elizabeth investigates her new tenderness for Mr. Darcy, we can delight in how she stretches out the process of committing herself. Respect, esteem, gratitude, and an interest in his welfare all add up to love. Such feelings are the origin of love based on knowledge, and, Pride and Prejudice shows, nothing else is love.

But Elizabeth's discerning standards for heterosexual affection display a revolution of self as well as of eros. Even at the height of her suspense about Mr Darcy, Elizabeth asserts the worth of her own life, gloriously declaring to herself, "If he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might have obtained my affections and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him at all." Such faith that if need be she can outlive her affection for Fitzwilliam Darcy is based on the new idea that he will be unworthy if he cannot continue to love. The value for her own future, separate from her connection to a man, and her resolve to judge his rather than her own worth by his performance intensify our suspense over the test: Can Mr. Darcy justify her affection? The fulfillment of that quest comes in a love scene that readers have long depreciated as an anticlimax.

Pride and Prejudice is a pivotal moment in our feminist heritage, an achievement whose power has in many senses been lost, as we have so often lost women's history and work. This novel offers an iconoclastic representation of women and men. Austen is a creative political thinker in her own right, but her politics must be located through attention to the relationships among her characters, between those characters and their narrator, and between narrator and reader, before we try to place her in extratextual heritages or contexts. Rather than look for politics by turning away from the text to events outside the novel, we need at last to accept that the book's explicit concerns are themselves political. Pride and Prejudice does more than teach us about the debates of Austen's day; it can guide us among the many urgent issues of identity and gender with which we continue to struggle. In an age when we have learned to see the battle of the sexes as one aspect of the abuse that women have been taught to label as "love," the answer is not to throw out romance altogether. Pride and Prejudice 's moving prophecy is that we may also make Elizabeth Bennet's demand that Fitzwilliam Darcy become worthy of her love.

Source: Susan Kneedler, "The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice ," in Approaches to Teaching Austen's Pride and Prejudice , edited by Marcia McClintock Folsom, Modern Language Association of America, 1993, pp. 152-66.

"Pride and Prejudice - The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice." Novels for Students, Vol. 1. Gale Cengage, 10 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/pride-and-prejudice/critical-essays/essays-criticism#critical-essays-essays-criticism-new-romance-pride-prejudice>

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Critical Overview

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Prejudice — What can I do to Prevent Prejudice

What Can I Do to Prevent Prejudice

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Fostering understanding, challenging stereotypes, promoting inclusivity.

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Prejudice 101: Definition, Facts, Examples

Prejudice fuels the unfair and unequal treatment of people around the world, and while we may hope we don’t hold prejudiced views, it’s common to see others differently based on their ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion and so on. Acknowledging this fact – and working to reduce prejudice – is the best way forward. In this article, we’ll explore what prejudice is, how it works and what it looks like.

Prejudice refers to negative feelings, attitudes and beliefs toward individuals and groups based on preconceived notions about ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religion and much more.

What is prejudice?

The word “prejudice” has origins in Latin for “before” and “judgment.” It describes unfavorable feelings toward individuals or groups based on preconceived notions of their ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, disability, religion and other characteristics. While every individual is distinct, prejudice lumps all members of a group or classification together.

There are a few theories about why prejudice exists and how it works: social identity theory, realistic conflict theory, scapegoating theory, authoritarian personality theory and culture theory.

Social identity theory

According to social identity theory, people always organize themselves into groups they belong to and groups they don’t belong to. This categorization boosts a person’s self-esteem. Finding community with a group is not wrong, but many people end up looking down on those they deem outside their groups. They may exhibit prejudice.

Realistic conflict theory

This theory focuses on limited resources and what happens when people compete for them. When resources are few and far between, people engage in more conflict . This increases negative feelings and attitudes between competing groups. The theory applies even when a lack of resources is conceptual. As an example, while social status and political power are intangible, people tend to believe there’s only so much to go around.

Scapegoating theory

When individuals or communities experience challenges, they may direct blame to an innocent party. This is known as “scapegoating.” As an example, when it comes to unemployment, immigrants are often scapegoated in the United States. “They’re taking our jobs!” is a common phrase linked to prejudice. Scapegoats tend to be already marginalized and stereotyped groups.

Authoritarian personality theory

This theory wonders if certain people are predisposed to authoritarianism. They tend to be more trusting and respectful of authority figures, and more likely to not question that authority. They exhibit strict, inflexible views of the world and strongly dislike uncertainty or nuance. Because this personality type is so black-and-white, they could be more susceptible to prejudice, as well, since prejudicial views are also clear-cut. They’re also more vulnerable to prejudicial propaganda created by authority figures.

Culture theory 

The culture theory of prejudice theorizes that prejudice is deeply rooted in society. It passes from generation to generation, sustaining itself through stereotypes, institutional discrimination and community beliefs. If someone is surrounded by friends and family who exhibit prejudicial views, they’re more likely to develop and express similar views. What’s considered “normal” or “acceptable” varies from group to group, but the desire to belong encourages people to believe or behave in similar ways.

Many people are unaware of the prejudiced views they hold. Here are ten examples of unconscious bias .

What five facts should everyone know about prejudice?

Prejudice is complicated because people are complicated, but there are certain facts that can help you understand how these feelings work.

#1. Prejudice may serve a biological purpose

There’s lots of research about how prejudices like racism and sexism are taught, and while that’s true, the mechanisms of prejudice may be hard-wired in the human brain. As a blog on The Conversation explains, prejudice may have evolved because, in the past, it helped us avoid danger . How? At its core, prejudice is about quickly associating something – like a visual cue or a sound – with a certain meaning. As an example, our ancestors had to deal with predators on a regular basis, so certain cues always signaled danger. If we were met with something unfamiliar, it was safer to assume the new thing was dangerous. Unfortunately, our brain doesn’t always make correct judgments, which leads to prejudices related to ethnicity, gender, and other characteristics.

#2. You can unlearn prejudice

While the tendency to be prejudiced may be the result of evolution, it doesn’t mean we’re all doomed to think prejudiced thoughts forever. The first step is being aware of our biases and prejudices. Next, research shows prejudices can be reduced when people from different groups interact with each other . Contact reveals the inaccuracy of certain beliefs, while relationships motivate people to more closely examine and eliminate their prejudices. Prejudice can also be reduced when caught early in childhood. While kids are not born with prejudices, they quickly learn based on the views of their parents and close family members, the media and other environmental influences. Teaching kids about tolerance, acceptance and diversity can help reduce prejudices before they become deeply rooted.

Are you aware of any prejudices you hold against certain individuals and groups?

• Yes, and I’ve spent a lot of time addressing my prejudices
• Yes, but I know I need to do better at dismantling these beliefs
• No, I haven’t spent much time thinking about my own prejudices

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#3. Certain groups face more prejudice than others

People can develop prejudices based on just about any characteristic, but certain groups are targeted more often than others. According to the United Nations, people of African Descent are among the most discriminated-against groups around the world. Many also hold prejudices against migrants, refugees, women, people living in poverty, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and ethnic minorities. The reasons vary, but historical oppression plays a big role in which groups receive the most prejudiced treatment. If a group has been the subject of prejudiced beliefs and stereotypes for a long time, they tend to keep being targeted.

Prejudice often leads to racism. To learn more about where racism came from, check out this article.

#4. Prejudice and discrimination are technically different

Prejudice and discrimination are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Prejudice refers to a person’s feelings and attitudes toward a certain group, while discrimination refers to tangible actions based on those beliefs. Someone can hold prejudiced beliefs and never act on them, although it’s unusual for a belief to not manifest in some way. Discrimination can also be structural or institutional, while prejudice lives inside people’s heads. As soon as those thoughts are expressed outwardly, however, that’s when they become discrimination.

#5. Prejudice and discrimination affect health

Researchers have examined the connections between prejudice, discrimination and health for decades. When people are not treated equally based on prejudiced views about them, it affects their ability to receive services such as a good education, housing and employment. These are important health determinants. Prejudice can also affect the quality of healthcare a person can access. If a health provider holds prejudiced views, it’s likely to affect how they talk to a patient, what treatments they offer and how seriously they take any health concerns. According to the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, healthcare discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community has become “particularly visible” in recent years. This has led to people delaying or avoiding medical treatment for fear of discrimination.

What are examples of prejudice?

Prejudice affects many individuals and groups, but what are some of the most prevalent examples? Here are seven:

#1. Racial prejudice

Racial prejudice manifests as negative feelings and attitudes towards people based on their ethnicity or perceived ethnicity. It commonly targets ethnic minorities, which manifests as structural or institutional discrimination, but people can hold racial prejudices against any race/ethnicity.

#2. Gender prejudice

Gender prejudice is prejudice based on someone’s gender or perceived gender. Because women and girls are still treated unequally throughout the world, gender prejudice typically targets them.

Interested in learning more about gender prejudice? Check out our article on the subject.

#3. Homophobia and transphobia

Homophobia refers to prejudiced views against gay people. While homophobia targets people based on their sexuality, transphobia targets people based on gender identity. Transphobia is a specific prejudice against transgender people. Homophobia and transphobia can also affect anyone who doesn’t appear to fall within the gender binary, regardless of their actual sexual or gender identity.

#4. Xenophobia

Xenophobia is prejudice against people based on their nationality. It often targets immigrants and refugees, but anyone perceived as a “foreigner” can be affected. Xenophobia is related to racial prejudice, but while racial prejudice can affect people from the same country, xenophobia focuses on nationality, culture and origin.

#5. Classism

Classism is a form of prejudice focused on someone’s socioeconomic status. It affects people experiencing poverty the most. When elevated to discrimination, classism reduces a person’s access to essentials like healthcare, housing , employment, education and more.

#6. Religious prejudice

Religious prejudice refers to negative feelings and attitudes towards people based on their religious beliefs. Prejudice can also affect people based on the fact they follow no religion.

Ageism is prejudice based on a person’s age. It can affect people because they’re perceived as either “too old” or “too young.” It’s common in workplace settings, but it’s present in healthcare and social interactions, too.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

• Justify the title Pride and Prejudice

In literature, titles often function as shortened summaries of a piece’s main ideas, giving readers an idea of the underlying themes and ideas. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is not an exception. The novel’s complex socioeconomic dynamics are hinted at in the title, which also alludes to the personal characteristics of important characters. The purpose of this answer is to examine the complex relationship between pride and prejudice as it is depicted in Austen’s novel, going beyond simple character attributes to consider wider societal ramifications. The goal is to reveal the complexities of prejudice and pride in oneself and society, as well as how these influences interact to shape the relationships, characters, and social mores in this classic piece of literature.

Table of Contents

Pride in “Pride and Prejudice”

The idea of pride in the novel is a recurring motif that is deeply ingrained in the relationships between characters and society at large. Mr. Darcy’s early conceit and haughtiness, stemming from his high social status, are seen in his contemptuous rejection of Elizabeth Bennet and her family. As evidenced by her initial rejection of Mr. Darcy’s proposal, Elizabeth herself exudes a proud confidence in her own wisdom and judgment. In the meanwhile, and frequently to absurd lengths, Mrs. Bennet takes great delight in the social currency of her daughters’ successful marriages. Relationships and societal dynamics suffer as a result of these arrogant attitudes. Mr. Darcy’s pride initially strains his budding connection with Elizabeth, and her own pride momentarily blinds her to his true character. In addition to causing conflict within the Bennet family, Mrs. Bennet’s exclusive concentration on advantageous relationships is a reflection of society’s larger emphasis on status. The intricate interaction between individual and societal pride in forming the novel’s plot is highlighted by Jane Austen’s deft illustration of how such demonstrations of pride lead to miscommunications, strained relationships, and social pressures.

Read More: Jane Austen’s art of characterization in Pride and Prejudice

Prejudice in “Pride and Prejudice”

In “Pride and Prejudice,” the issue of prejudice is revealed via a subtle examination of both personal prejudices and social conventions. Because of her preconceived notions about Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet initially maintains prejudice against him, which serves to highlight the main conflict of the novel. The plot is also infused with social prejudices stemming from class divisions and cultural expectations, with figures such as Lady Catherine de Bourgh serving as examples of the inflexible hierarchies that govern social relations. The biased opinions of Mr. Collins regarding marriage and social standing demonstrate how society expectations shape personal viewpoints. These social and personal prejudices affect how characters connect with one another and add to the complexity of love relationships. Jane Austen’s critique of a society governed by preconceived assumptions is highlighted by Elizabeth’s changing perception of Mr. Darcy and the novel’s eventual demolition of societal prejudices, highlighting the transformational power of overcoming bias for individual and societal growth.

Read More: Women Characters in Pride and Prejudice

Intersection of Pride and Prejudice

The confrontation between  pride and prejudice in the novel is a crucial part of character development, illustrating the protagonists’ transforming journey. Mr. Darcy experiences a dramatic transformation as he comes to understand how his pride affects his relationships, especially with Elizabeth Bennet. His self-awareness as a result of his introspection prompts him to make corrections for his previous mistakes and exhibit true humility. Elizabeth also grows personally as a result of admitting her own biases, especially when it comes to her evaluation of Mr. Darcy’s personality. Moments where characters overcome their pride and prejudice are deftly woven throughout the novel, including Elizabeth’s capacity to reconsider her original assessments and Darcy’s progressive transformation. These incidents support the primary theme of personal growth by showing how overcoming pride and prejudice promotes empathy, respect for one another, and, eventually, the development of the characters. 

Impact on Relationships

A major theme in the novel is the impact of pride and prejudice on love relationships, which shapes the story arcs of important characters. Overcoming one’s own prejudices can have a transforming effect, as demonstrated by Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s blossoming relationship. Their path towards mutual understanding and acceptance, which was first characterized by pride, prejudice, and misunderstandings, highlights the novel’s examination of personal evolution within relationships. In addition, the story’s multiple marriages—including the tense one between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet—evidence the negative effects of pride and prejudice. Through the journeys of the characters, Jane Austen highlights the importance of conquering these qualities for both personal growth and the establishment of strong, lasting relationships. The novel ultimately emphasizes the transformative power of sincere understanding and respect for one another, showing the possibility for relationship development when people overcome personal prejudices and cultural expectations.

Read More: The use of irony in Pride and Prejudice

Societal Commentary

With its title acting as a mirror through which Jane Austen examines the strict class system and social expectations of 19th-century England, “Pride and Prejudice” is a profound critique on society. The attempts of Lady Catherine de Bourgh to impose social norms and class boundaries are one way that the novel highlights the limitations imposed by social hierarchies. Austen’s examination of personal fulfillment in this setting highlights the negative effects of upholding pride and prejudice, as characters encounter socially expected barriers. Austen’s sarcastic indictment of conventional conventions is encapsulated in the title, particularly in Mrs. Bennet’s unwavering efforts to find her daughters suitable marriages. This emphasizes the absurdities and constraints imposed by social pressures. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” deftly combines complex social dynamics with multifaceted characters and societal dynamics, to examine the complex interactions between pride and prejudice in both personal and larger social contexts. The title effectively summarizes the main ideas and captures the complex ways in which characters like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are portrayed. The narrative deftly and intricately illustrates the effects of pride and prejudice on interpersonal relationships and cultural expectations. Austen provides readers with a timeless perspective on the human condition through her careful investigation of cultural conventions and personal development within the confines of 19th-century England. The title of Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” acts as a beacon guiding readers through the complexities of human nature and societal expectations in addition to being a gripping love story. 

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Pride and Prejudice

By jane austen, pride and prejudice essay questions.

In which ways is Elizabeth different from the rest of the Bennet family? What does the contrast reveal about her character?

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and understand her own flaws at the end. Most of the other Bennets are stuck in their ways - Jane is eternally optimistic, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are frivolous, Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and cynical, and so on - but Elizabeth regularly reflects on the events in her life. She learns to question herself whereas most of the others act as though they have settled on a certain worldview. Elizabeth is therefore a true individual who adapts to the world around her, and seeks constantly to better understand her desires so that she can find happiness.

Overall, do you believe Austen has a conservative or radical approach to the issue of class? Why or why not?

Ultimately, Pride and Prejudice takes a moderate stance on class differences. Austen never posits an egalitarian ideology. However, she does criticize the society's over-emphasis on class instead of individual moral character. Darcy's journey from extreme class-consciousness to prioritizing manners over money is the best example of Austen's criticism. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is affected upon visiting Pemberley. The grand estate does have an impact on her already changing feelings towards Darcy, which is one example of Austen justifying the appeal of the upper class. Overall, Austen accepts (and even appreciates) the existence of class hierarchy, but also offers a warning about how class-based prejudice can poison society.

Explore Austen's portrayal of the women in the novel. In what ways does she sympathize with their plight, and in what ways is she unsympathetic?

Austen's attitude towards women is quite complicated. Generally, Austen is critical of the gender injustices present in 19th century English society, particularly in the context of marriage. She is able to voice this criticism through characters like Charlotte Lucas (who marries Collins because she needs security) and even Mrs. Bennet (who, though ridiculous, is the only one to speak out against the entailment of Longbourn). Furthermore, Austen's caricatured portrayal of the younger Bennet daughters is evidence of her disdain for frivolous women. Her opinion was perhaps more in line with Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, or even the dour Mary. While Austen seems to accept the limitations of her gender, she criticizes a society that forces women to emphasize their least flattering characteristics.

Elizabeth has a markedly different attitude about marriage than other characters - notably Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet - have. To what extent is she unfair in her assessment of their attitudes, and to what extent might they benefit from employing her perspective?

Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet both believe that marriage is a business transaction in which a woman must be the active party in securing a good match for herself. This pragmatic assessment stands in stark contrast to Elizabeth's more romantic worldview. However, at this period in history, at least in certain higher classes, if a man chose not to marry, he only risked loneliness and regret. Meanwhile, a woman in the same situation could lose her financial security. Therefore, it is understandable why Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet believe that a woman must consider employing manipulation for the sake of her future. Charlotte deliberately draws Mr. Collins's attention in order to secure a proposal. However, Jane does not follow Charlotte's advice and nearly loses Bingley's love in the process. Lydia takes a drastic action that forces her marriage to occur. It is only Elizabeth who operates entirely outside the societal norm, but Austen makes it clear that her situation is quite unique.

Some critics applaud Austen's ability to craft psychologically complex and believable characters, while others believe she mostly creates well-drawn comic stock characters. Which argument do you support?

Though this question asks for an opinion, a strong thesis would be that Austen straddles the line between comic stock characters and psychologically complex ones. Elizabeth Bennet has a magnetic and singular personality, as does Darcy. They are arguably one of the most beloved literary couples of all time. On the other end of the spectrum, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are almost trapped in their exaggerated personality traits, which Austen often uses for comic (and satirical) effect. However, Austen reveals a keen perception of human psychology, even through these supposedly two-dimensional characters. Mr. Collins, for instance, reflects the truth of a class-obsessed society. Mrs. Bennet embodies the desperation of women to find a good marriage. Therefore, Austen does create unique stock characters that emphasize certain aspects of human psychology while also providing comic relief.

Austen's original draft of this novel was titled First Impressions . Explain why this title makes sense, as explore the reasons why Pride and Prejudice is more apt.

First Impressions describes the main romantic conflict - will Elizabeth and Darcy end up together despite their first impressions of one another? However, Pride and Prejudice suggests a much deeper psychological struggle, more fitting to the complexity of Austen's novel. Whereas First Impressions only implies a story of corrected perceptions, Pride and Prejudice describes a story where the characters must investigate themselves, addressing the unconscious impulses that work to prohibit self-awareness. Finally, the final title is all-encompassing, reaching beyond just Elizabeth and Darcy. It offers a comment on the novel's larger themes like class and the role of women.

Darcy is initially attracted to Elizabeth's "fine eyes." Analyze this symbol, and explain what it shows about both Darcy and Elizabeth.

Despite Elizabeth's obvious coldness toward him, Darcy finds himself increasingly attracted to her, particularly her beautiful dark eyes. The darkness of her eyes also represents Elizabeth's main weakness‹: the pride and prejudice that cloud her perception. Elizabeth prides herself on her ability to judge others and uncover their motives. However, her prejudgment of Darcy makes her blind to his admiration. In the conversation about Darcy at Netherfield, Elizabeth offers that Darcy's defect is "a propensity to hate everybody," while Darcy perceptively replies that hers is "Œwillfully to misunderstand them." Indeed, while Elizabeth judges Darcy for over-valuing his first impression of her, she exhibits the exact same shortcoming. Ultimately, the darkness of her eyes reflects the complexity of Elizabeth's prejudice, but that complexity is very much what draws Darcy towards her in the first place.

In what ways does Austen portray the family and community as responsible for its members?

Though Pride and Prejudice is largely a story about individuality, Austen portrays the family unit as primarily responsible for the intellectual and moral education of children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's failure to provide a proper education for their daughters leads to Lydia's utter foolishness. Elizabeth and Jane manage to develop virtue and discernment in spite of their parents' negligence, though it is notable that they have other role models like the Gardiners. Darcy shares both his father's aristocratic nature and the man's tendency towards generosity, while Lady Catherine's daughter is too frightened to speak. This attitude extends to the larger community, as well. Lydia's time in Meryton and Brighton bring out her worst impulses. Similarly, the community around Pemberley respects Darcy's generosity and follows his lead in being kind and trustworthy.

Though undoubtedly a comic character, Mr. Collins reflects some rather unattractive qualities of his society. Explain this statement.

Mr. Collins is defined by his rambling speeches of excessive formality and his boorishness disguised as faux-politeness. And yet, Mr. Collins is also a reflection of a society obsessed with class, a monster engendered by this singular pressure. Mr. Collins comes from modest means and likely always dreamed of a respectable position. When he attracted an aristocratic patroness like Lady Catherine, he saw only her rank, which made him blind to her harsh and condescending attitude. He compensates for his insecurity by pretending to act like Lady Catherine and those of her class. In this way, Collins and Lady Catherine are examples of the societal acceptance of class without manners but not the opposite.

Explain why Austen ends her novel with a line about the Gardiners, even though they are minor characters in Pride and Prejudice .

The Gardiners are important because they are a middle-class couple that behaves reasonably and virtuously. Mrs. Gardiner is a great role model for Elizabeth, though she reveals little unique personality of her own. Mr. Gardiner proves to be instrumental in saving Lydia from her scandalous elopement. They both acknowledge the importance of class and education, but place a greater emphasis on personal conduct. The Gardiners also externalize Darcy's inner struggle. When Darcy treats the Gardiners well at Pemberley and then later works with Mr. Gardiner to rescue Lydia, it indicates that he has internalized Elizabeth's view of personality and class. The novel thus ends on the Gardiners because is offers a final illustration that Elizabeth and Darcy have reached a happy medium between class and behavior beyond the barriers of pride and prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Pride and Prejudice is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and...

What are reasons that Elizabeth thinks darcy may still be interested?

Did you need more detail?

Pride and Prejudice How might Mr. Bennet's earlier actions have prevented this scandal? Is Mr. Bennet responsible for his youngest daughter's behavior?

Mr. Bennet has always been compacent when it came to the well being of his daughters. Mr. Bennet's main interest was that his daughters married into money. Wickham was obviously a pompous jerk but he was also a wealthy well connected jerk. Mr....

Study Guide for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice study guide contains a biography of Jane Austen, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Pride and Prejudice
• Pride and Prejudice Summary
• Pride and Prejudice Video
• Character List

Essays for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

• Theme of Pride
• Epistolary Study of Austen
• Money as Social Currency in the Society Described in Pride and Prejudice
• Discretion and Design in Pride and Prejudice
• Eloquence: The Window To the Soul and the Number One Requirement for a Successful Courtship

Lesson Plan for Pride and Prejudice

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Pride and Prejudice
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Pride and Prejudice Bibliography

E-Text of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice e-text contains the full text of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

• Chapters 1-6
• Chapters 7-14
• Chapters 15-23
• Chapters 24-33
• Chapters 34-42

Wikipedia Entries for Pride and Prejudice

• Introduction

Pride and Prejudice

164 pages • 5 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 1, Chapters 1-3

Volume 1, Chapters 4-6

Volume 1, Chapters 7-10

Volume 1, Chapters 11-15

Volume 1, Chapters 16-18

Volume 1, Chapters 19-23

Volume 2, Chapters 1-6

Volume 2, Chapters 7-11

Volume 2, Chapters 12-15

Volume 2, Chapters 16-19

Volume 3, Chapters 1-3

Volume 3, Chapters 4-10

Volume 3, Chapters 11-14

Volume 3, Chapters 15-19

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

What is Charlotte Lucas’s approach to marriage, and how does it explain why she marries Mr. Collins? How does her decision to marry Mr. Collins reflect women’s roles in Austen’s day?

What is it about Elizabeth that attracts Darcy, and how does she continue to draw him in as the novel progresses? Describe how the qualities criticized by Lady Catherine—and the qualities that make Elizabeth reject Darcy’s first proposal—are the very qualities that make Darcy fall in love with her. Describe Mr. Collins’s opinions of these same qualities.

Compare and contrast the marriages in Pride and Prejudice . Consider Mr. and Mrs. Bennet , Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte and Mr. Collins , Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Jane and Bingley, or Elizabeth and Darcy. Which marriages are unhappy, and why? What, according, to the novel, is necessary for a happy marriage? Why does Mr. Bennet warn Elizabeth against choosing a husband she is “unable to respect” (350)?

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109 Pride and Prejudice Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on pride and prejudice, 🌶️ hot pride and prejudice essay topics, 🎓 most interesting pride and prejudice research titles, 💡 simple pride and prejudice essay ideas, ❓ essay questions on pride and prejudice.

• The Theme of Money and Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: What Does the Title Mean?
• Love in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
• The Role of Letters in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Pride and Prejudice (2005): Movie Analysis
• Theme of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”: Significance of Letters
• Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice: Research Paper The novel Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen is considered to be significant contribution to the world of literature made in 1813.
• Ideas & Message in Pride and Prejudice: Reflection Essay Jane Austen is one of the most classical female authors in the Western literary canon, most famously known for her famous novel Pride and Prejudice.
• The Role of the Social Class in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin Classism is evident in the classical novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin on all levels. Social division is an obstacle shaped by the times.
• Marriage in Pride & Prejudice: Research Paper The paper provides several angles to look at the subject of marriage, deals with the institution of marriage as dealt with in the book by Jane Austen, The Pride and Prejudice.
• Lydia in Pride and Prejudice: Character Analysis The novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is considered to be a masterpiece of classical literature that has gone a long way due to the vivid presentation of the conflicts and interaction of the characters.
• Pride and Prejudice: Personal Integrity as the Driving Force The paper states that from the beginning of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, it is obvious that Elizabeth Bennet is a person with a high standard of integrity.
• The Role of Women in Pride and Prejudice “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Community that treats both partners with equal dignity prospers in various aspects of developments.
• Pride & Prejudice and Emma: Compare & Contrast This paper will analyze the nature of the father-daughter relationships found in Jane Austen’s novels Pride and Prejudice and Emma.
• “Pride and Prejudice” a Novel by Jane Austen Jane Austen demonstrates that previous judgment and prejudice can be wrong and harsh; as the result of a long way of reflection, due to the various events in the lives of heroes.
• An Analysis of ”Robinson Crusoe” and ”Pride and Prejudice” The key difference between Robinson Crusoe and Pride and Prejudice is that the latter makes women the main characters of the story.
• Reinforcement of Sexist Stereotypes in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” The novel “Pride and Prejudice” describes the love story of a young lady Elizabeth Bennett and an aristocrat Mr. Darcy, developing in the complex context of the English society.
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen To help in her writing, Jane Austen used personal experiences of the happenings during that era as the story describes the middle-class life in England.
• Issue of Morality in “First Impressions” (“Pride and Prejudice”) The title “Pride and Prejudice” suits Jane Austen’s novel much better than the original one – “First Impressions”, “First Impressions” would partly reveal the actual plot.
• “Pride and Prejudice”: Chapter 60 In the chapter 60 of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the narrative dwells on the reflections about Lizzy and Mr. Darcy’s upcoming marriage, relationship, and stance on love and class.
• Social Life in Canterbury Tales vs. Pride & Prejudice: Compare & Contrast Essay This paper compares Chaucer and Jane Austen with a focus on their views of social life in their respective periods, particularly about the institution of marriage.
• Pride and Prejudice: Book Review To understand “Pride and Prejudice”, it is important to understand the conditions of the eighteenth century, to realize the impact of social pressure on the representatives of that society.
• Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen In the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, many of the letters by the characters play a vital role in the development of the storyline and themes of the novel.
• Analysis of “Pride and Prejudice” Main Character The main character of the “Pride and Prejudice”, Elizabeth Bennet, is one of the most famous female characters in world literature.
• Functions of Letters in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Jane Austen is one of the renowned novelists from England. She is majorly known for focusing on women’s positions in marriage.
• Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is portraying the relationships between the four daughters of the Bennet family and their neighbors.
• “Pride and Prejudice” as Austen’s Book’s Title The title affects the perception of the book, and the themes of pride and prejudice develop the plot. The paper analyzes Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” as a book’s title.
• “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” Films The creation, development, and effects of “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” on people are impressive. Both are strong examples of visualization of Austen’s work.
• Christian Morals, Marriage, and Courtship in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Attitudes Towards Marriage Presented in “Pride and Prejudice”
• How Benjamin Franklin and Jane Austen Define Virtue in “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” and “Pride and Prejudice”
• Different Values Towards Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”: Elizabeth, Charlotte, Lydia
• Intertextual Relations Between “Pride and Prejudice” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
• Characters Caricatures: The Power of Laughter in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”: Elizabeth’s Change of Heart Toward Darcy
• How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Elizabeth Bennett’s Superiority in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”
• Characters Who Practiced Self-Control in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Jane Austen’s Presentation of the Theme of Love and Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Class and Gender Representations in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Light and Shade Marriages Mirrored in “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice”
• How Wealth and Class Contributes to “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Does Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Follow the Conventions of a Romantic Novel?
• “Great Expectations” and “Pride and Prejudice”: Portrayal of Social Classes’ Structure and the Role of Money
• Comparing and Contrasting the Two Marriage Proposals in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”
• Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and the Importance of Social Status
• Heroes, War, and Rebellion in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen and “Red Badge of Courage” by Stephen Crane
• Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s Prejudice Throughout Their Relationship in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Comical and Satirized Characters in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility”
• Finding Contrast Between “Pride and Prejudice” vs. “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”
• Jane Austen’s Socially Unconventional Female Characters in “Emma”, “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility”
• Elizabeth Bennet and the Perfect Man: “Pride and Prejudice”
• Comparing the Country Estate in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Mansfield Park”
• Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”: The Subversion of Victorian Stereotypes
• Exploring the Major Weaknesses of the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”
• Character Foil Between Darcy and Wickham in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”
• Jane Austen’s Novel “Pride and Prejudice”: Five Married Couples
• How Society Viewed Love and Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Irony, Values, and Realism in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Feminism, Contemporary Women, and the Female Protagonists of “Pride and Prejudice”, “The Scarlet Letter”, and “Madame Bovary”
• English Social Class Hierarchy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Misconceptions: “Pride and Prejudice” and Elizabeth’s Imperfections
• Love and Respect Over Money and Status in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Differing Types and Consequences of Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Class, Money, Pride, and Happiness in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Marriage: Honorable Provisions for Young Women in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Jacques Derrida’s Philosophical Method of Deconstruction Applied to “Pride and Prejudice”
• Elizabeth Bennet’s Arrogance and Preconception in Jane Austen’s Book “Pride and Prejudice”
• Gender Roles for Women in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Jane Austen and Women’s Roles in 18th Century England: “Pride and Prejudice”
• Gossip, Limited Omniscience, and Ambiguity in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Comparing and Contrasting Features of Marriages Presented in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Love, Compromise, and Conflict in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: The Journey of Self-Recovery
• Marriage and the Marriage Market in the Early 19th Century in “Pride and Prejudice”
• “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Edible Woman”: Negative Effects of the Society’s Influence
• Elizabeth Bennet’s Revolutionary Character in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Confidantes, Marriage, and Friendship in “Pride and Prejudice”
• What Is the Significance of Netherfield in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• At What Age Did Jane Austen Write “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Why Is Elizabeth Embarrassed by Her Family at the Ball in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Conflicts Are Revealed in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does “Pride and Prejudice” Relate to Feminist Literature?
• What Are Some Symbols in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Jane Austen Reveal Character in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Is the Primary Purpose of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Essential Is the Setting in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Is “Pride and Prejudice” Historical Fiction?
• How Is Jane’s Matrimonial Hope Dwindled in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Is the Working Title of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Are Mothers Represented in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Is Marriage Depicted in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Are Elizabeth’s Wit and Intelligence First Made Clear in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Are Elizabeth’s Feelings of Love for Mr. Darcy Realistic in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does Jane Austen Criticize Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Universal Themes in “Pride and Prejudice” Resonate Today?
• What Does Darcy Say About Elizabeth at the Ball in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Jane Admire Mr. Bingley in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Do Mr. Bingley and Darcy React to the Assembly in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Is Darcy’s Attitude Towards Elizabeth Changed in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Who Is Kitty in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Why Do Elizabeth and Jane Stay at Netherfield Park in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Type of Lady Is Mrs. Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Mr. Collins Want to Get Reconciled With Me Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Did Jane Austen Write “Pride and Prejudice” About Herself?
• What Charges Does Wickham Bring Against Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Does “Pride and Prejudice” Teach Us About Society?
• Why Is Mrs. Bennet Annoyed With Elizabeth in “Pride and Prejudice”?

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Pride and Prejudice Essay

Essay on Prejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice

• 4 Works Cited

Prejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice          In any literary work the title and introduction make at least some allusion to the important events of the novel. With Pride and Prejudice, Austen takes this convention to the extreme, designing all of the first and some of the second half of the novel after the title and the first sentence. The concepts of pride, prejudice, and "universally acknowledged truth" (51), as well as the interpretation of those concepts, are the central focus of

Prejudice In Pride And Prejudice

Are there both good and bad types of pride and prejudice? In her book, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen demonstrates the different kinds of these chracteristics through each character. Lizzy, Jane, and Darcy are all completely different characters who show their pride and prejudice in completely different ways. Since the very beginning of the book, Elizabeth Bennet, who is also known as Lizzy, was very quick to judge, and her prejudice led her to believe in the wrong people. When Lizzy met Mr. Wickham

Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth&#8217;s Pride and Darcy&#8217;s Prejudice? Jane Austen&#8217;s Pride and Prejudice is a timeless social comedy which is both satirical and full of sentiment. The title refers to the personalities of the two main characters and cues the reader to Austen&#8217;s broader thematic purpose: to satirize nineteenth century manners and morals, especially as they relate to courtship and manners. Although both characters contain both these traits, it is mainly Mr. Darcy who exemplifies &#8216;pride&#8217;

• 2 Works Cited

Pride and Prejudice tells a story of a young girl in the midst of a very materialistic society. Jane Austen uses the setting to dramatize the restraints women had to endure in society. As the novel develops, we see how women have to act in a way according to their gender, social class, and family lineage. Elizabeth Bennet’s sisters represent the proper societal lady while Lizzy is the rebel. Through her characters Austen shows how a women’s happiness came second to the comfort of wealth. As the plot

Pride And Prejudice

Characters: Elizabeth Bennet – The main heroine of the novel She is an, independent, intelligent character. Her role in Pride and Prejudice is to ridicule the constant fixation with society’s expectations. She doesn’t want to marry if it isn’t for the love of the relationship. She judges Darcy as too proud and denies the proposal, but later sees how she was wrong Fitzwilliam Darcy – Elizabeth’s equal. Darcy was thought to be “disagreeable”. At first he doesn’t like Elizabeth, but eventually changes

Pride and the Prejudice

“The power of doing anything with quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance.” (1) Said Mr Darcy. This is one of the world's most popular novels, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has charmed readers since its publication of the story of the amusing Elizabeth Bennet and her relationship with the aristocrat Fitzwilliam Darcy. During this essay it will explore the construction of characters, in particular it will be Elizabeth

Pride and Prejudice, a novel written by Jane Austen, is a story of overcoming pride and prejudices. The story takes place in Longbourn, where the Bennet family and their five girls live on their rented estate. Mrs.Bennet is obsessed to get her daughters to marry rich, as they are all still single. Their financial status is poor, placing them into a lower social class. Mrs.Bennet heard news of a single, wealthy man, Mr.Bingley, moving into a estate just three miles away from them and begged that her

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife... There was a tendency to marry for money in early 19th century England. It was very unusual for people to begin relationship for love in the Victorian Era. There was so much etiquette involved. The most popular places to meet suitable partners were balls and church socials. Even if a gentleman had formerly been introduced to a lady at a ball, this did not entitle him to speak

• 1 Works Cited

The path to marriage initiates in the very first paragraph of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This courtship novel begins with the premise that “a single man in possession of a fortune must be in want of a wife” (pg. 5) Throughout the competition for the single men, characters are naturally divided by the norms of their social standing. However, the use of social conventions and civility further divides them. The characters in need of the most moral reform remain unchanged, leaving a path for

The name of the book I have written my book report is Pride and Prejudice by the author Jane Austen. The book was written in England between 1796 and 1813 when it was first published. Pride and Prejudice is about how young people from different classes fall in love and break all social norms by marrying each other. The story takes place in the late 18th century or the beginning of the 19th century in the English countryside. Mainly in Hertfordshire near the village Meryton where the Bennet family

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Prejudice Essays (Examples)

Discrimination Or Prejudice

Racism colorism prejudice discrimination and or implicit bias, why ageism needs to be stopped in society.

Lumen. (2019). Theoretical perspectives on deviance. Retrieved from   https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-deviance/  " target="_blank" REL="NOFOLLOW">

Blinded By Sight Seeing Race Through The Eyes Of The Blind

One nation under god documentary, adolescent psychosocial assessment.

Reubins, B. M., &Reubins, M. S. (2014). Pioneers of child psychoanalysis: Influential theories and practices in healthy child development. London: Karnac.

Transgender The Behaviors Acts And Transitions

Jellestad, L., Jäggi, T., Corbisiero, S., Schaefer, D. J., Jenewein, J., Schneeberger, A., ... & Garcia Nuñez, D. (2018). Quality of life in transitioned trans persons: a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. BioMed research international, 2018.

Domestic Extremism And Terrorism

Doyle, E. (Ed.). (2018). Antifa and the Radical Left. Greenhaven Publishing LLC.

Impact Of Culture On Domestic Violence

Decker, J. L. (1993). The state of rap: Time and place in hip hop nationalism. Social Text, (34), 53-84.

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• Pride And Prejudice Essays

Pride And Prejudice Essays (Examples)

Filter by keywords:(add comma between each), example essays.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice Prideful The institution of marriage is one of the primary themes of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. The emphasis placed upon marriage by the vast majority of the characters in the novel, however, is largely due to the fact that most of them see a successful marriage as a principle means of achieving happiness. However, the specific conditions of an individual marriage account for the degree of happiness its participants will be afforded, and Austen spends a good deal of the novel illustrating the fact that virtue is an integral component of a happy marriage. She presents this…...

Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is set in rural England, in Longbourn, during the Napoleonic ars, 1797-1815. The novel centers around the Bennet family, which includes five daughters of marrying age, Jane, the oldest, then Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. It is a story of romance, manners and a comedy of misunderstandings, in 19th century England. The protagonist of the story is the second daughter, Elizabeth, regarded as the most intelligent and sensible of the Bennet girls. She is beautiful, honest, virtuous, clever, well read, and quick-witted. However, she has the tendency to jump to conclusions and pass…...

mla Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1966; pp1.

Pride & Prejudice Influence on Later Work Frantz, Sarah S.G. "Darcy's Vampiric Descendants: Austen's Perfect Romance Hero and J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood." Persuasions On-Line 30.1 (Winter 2009); n. pag. Web. Frantz's area of academic focus is popular romance fiction of the sort that, as she notes, constituted "the largest share of the consumer market in 2008," and which ranges from the mass-market paperback fiction published by Harlequin in the U.S. And Mills and Boon in the U.K., to what is more commonly termed "chick lit," to supernaturally themed romantic fiction aimed at a primarily female readership. Frantz begins by noting that…...

Bingley's wealth did not hurt the relationship either. He was "a young man of large fortune" (1) with an income of four or five thousand pounds per year. His wealth made him a suitable marriage partner because he could provide financial security for Jane. One of the first comments Mrs. Bennet makes after hearing about the impending marriage is, "hy, he has four or five thousand a year, and likely more." The fact that they got along well was less important than his economic status. The Ideal Marriage According to Hinnant, "One of the unstated conventions of the courtship novel is that…...

mla Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. United States: Barnes & Noble, 1993. Print. Crowe, Marian. "G.K. Chesterton and the Orthodox Romance of Pride and Prejudice." Renascence 49.3 (1997): 209-221. Print.

Pride and Prejudice an Analysis

Darcy. All of these problems are worked out by the conclusion of the novel, but not before Lydia has run off with Mr. ickham and eloped. This is considered a great disgrace and a shame for the Bennet's because it is found out that Mr. ickham is not a very wholesome character and in fact has quite a few skeletons in his closet. But Lydia does not seem to care because she is so willful that she does as she pleases and does not reflect upon how it will make her family appear in the rest of polite society. Of…...

mla Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. MN: Bethany House, 2007. Print.

Pride and Prejudice Women in Society Today

Pride and Prejudice Women in society today have come a long way from those in the 18th and 19th centuries. In terms of education, work, and marriage prospects, women today have many more choices than those in Jane Austen's novels, for example. Education for a young lady was generally seen as a way towards becoming a school teacher or becoming a high society married woman. There were few choices inbetween. For independently minded women like Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, then, there were relatively few options to transcend the general social expectations of young ladies such as herself. Nevertheless, the character…...

mla Reference Anderson, K. The Pride and Prejudice of the Characters in Jane Austen's Novel Pride and Prejudice. Fall, 2011. Web:   https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/29159/1/gupea_2077_29159_1.pdf  Francus, M. Austen Therapy: Pride and Prejudice and Popular Culture. Jane Austen Society of North America, Vol. 30, No. 2. Spring, 2010. Web: http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/online/vol30no2/francus.html

Pride and Prejudice by Jane

Chapter 50 shows this in the gossip and the interest people partake in of the relationship of Mr. ickham and Lydia. "How ickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture." (Austen, 596) Good marriages, at least in the eyes of the characters, were comprised of people who were careful in selecting their partner, but were also aware of their responsiblities in their relationship. Jane and Mr.…...

mla Works Cited Austen, Jane, and David M. Shapard. The Annotated Pride and Prejudice. New York: Anchor Books, 2012. Print. Butler, Nancy, Hugo Petrus, and Jane Austen. Pride & Prejudice. New York: Marvel, 2009. Print.

A discussion between friends casts a light on the issue of pride, which appears to be Darcy's main enemy in his relationship with the society outside his most intimate acquaintances. Miss Lucas, one of the friends of the Bennet girls finds an excuse for Darcy's overflow of pride through his social status, fortune and image. Elisabeth agrees with her, but she also admits that her pride is even bigger than his and stands in the way of any chance of friendship between them. Elisabeth Bennet is a very intelligent young woman, but her very brightness stands in her way of recognizing…...

mla Works Cited Austen Jane. Kinsley, James. Pride and Prejudice. Oxford University Press, 1980. Vol 1 and 2.

Pride and Prejudice Communist Manifesto the

...For the rest, it is self-evident that the abolition of the present system of production must bring with it the abolition of the community of women springing from that system, i. e., of prostitution both public and private. Marx 339-340) The communist manifesto clearly demonstrates that ideals that regard women and men, through the eyes of economic marriage partnership is abhorrent to the natural state, a satire in the subtle irony of Pride and Prejudice, is clear. Marx would likely not have looked favorably at the message of Austin's works, but as an intelligent man he might have looked between the lines,…...

mla Works Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. James Kinsley. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980. Gilman, Priscilla. "Disarming Reproof": Pride and Prejudice and the Power of Criticism." Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal (2000): 218.

Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth Bennet's

Leading up to (and following) Elizabeth's epiphany, Pride and Prejudice is essentially about how Elizabeth and Darcy slowly overcome their misconceptions; misunderstandings; weaknesses, and mistakes, to at last find love and happiness together. Both "pride" (personal and social, that is) and "prejudice" (the pre-judging, or perhaps more accurately, the misjudging, of one person by the other) create, before that point, considerable roadblocks to the love the two eventually find together. For example, based on her misconceptions, Elizabeth firmly rejects Darcy's first proposal of marriage, and does not realize her error in judgment for quite some time. Fortunately for Elizabeth, the strength…...

Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice Additional Pages Casal, Elvira. "Laughing at Mr. Darcy: Wit and Sexuality in Pride and Prejudice." Persuasions On-Line 22.1 (2001): n. pag. Web. Casal discusses comedy, laughter and wit as Austen's basic thematic concerns within Pride and Prejudice. She begins her analysis with a discussion of the conversation between Miss Bingley and Elizabeth Bennett, which concludes with Elizabeth's expostulation "Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!" Casal notes that this passage indicates laughter as the sign that Elizabeth is not intimidated by Darcy's superior social status, as Miss Bingley is. In the same passage, Casal notes, Austen is careful…...

Pride and Prejudice Beloved

Pride and Prejudice and Beloved -- two, more perfect marital unions Both the early 19th century novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and the late 20th century novel Beloved by Toni Morrison end with a marriage of two characters whose souls are incommensurate with their societies. It is clear in the 19th century story that the spirited femininity of Elizabeth Bennett is a perfect match for the sardonic, propertied manhood of Mr. Darcy because the two characters are the only individuals who are willing to speak their minds in their society, even though this frequently causes them to have differences…...

Pride and Prejudice-Feminism Was Jane

" A woman, although not receiving an inheritance, knew that she would at least be under the roof of her husband. Johnson, in her book, Jane Austen: Women, Politics and the Novel, characterizes Austen as a novelist who "defended and enlarged a progressive middle ground that had been eaten away by the polarizing polemics born of the 1790s." She also states that Austen was a product of her times. She agrees that Austen "opted definitely not to ratify the anarchism of the radical opposition" (166). Her adoption of conservative fictional models was strategic rather than partisan, a means of escaping the…...

mla References Barreca, Regina. They Used to Call Me Snow White...But I Drifted: Women's Strategic Use of Humor. New York: Penguin, 1992. Gray, Donald. Pride and Prejudice. 3rd Edition (Norton Critical Editions). New York: W.W. Norton, 2000.

Pride and Prejudice All Women

Collins provides for her, she'll be pleased. To put a finer point on her situation, one can argue that Charlotte won't be happy per se; she'll be content. Our heroine, however, gets to have her cake and eat it too. Elizabeth winds up with Mr. Darcy who is both wealthy and the man she ends up falling in love with. This is a woman's narrative about weddings after all, and Austen elected to reward her readers with some Shakespearean symmetry: a lot of marriages, people are generally happy or content at the end of the book. To make sense of how…...

Pride and Prejudice Reinforce or Erode Sexist

Pride and Prejudice reinforce or erode sexist stereotypes of women (Research essay) Jane Austen lived in a society where sexist values were believed to be perfectly natural and it was surely difficult for her to refrain from supporting some of these attitudes in spite of her feminist character. The individuals in "Pride and Prejudice" are each provided with a specific role that either reinforces or erodes sexist stereotypes in an attempt to paint a more complex picture regarding conditions in the early nineteenth century's England. hile particular characters such as Mr. Collins put across discriminating behavior toward women, it is…...

mla Works cited: Austen, Jane, "Pride and Prejudice," (RD Bentley, 1853) Todd, Janet, "Jane Austen in Context," (Cambridge University Press, 20.10.2005)

How Wealth Disparity is a Social and Economical Threat?

The disparity of wealth can be seen in just about every aspect of life, but is very obvious in healthcare, education, and where a person lives. People tend to get angry when they are the \"have-nots\" and they perceive other people as having much more than them. They often feel that those who have more are not deserving of what they have, or that they have not worked for it. It is easy to tie wealth disparity into the novel Pride and Prejudice because of the disparity between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. During the time the book was set, it....

Can you offer advice on outlining an essay discussing Jane Austine biography?

I. Introduction Begin with a brief overview of Jane Austen's life and importance as a literary figure. Highlight the main themes and issues that you plan to discuss in the essay. II. Jane Austen's Early Life and Influences Discuss Austen's upbringing in Steventon, Hampshire, and the influence of her family and social circle on her writing. Explore the impact of her education and reading habits on her literary development. Analyze the influence of her brothers' careers in the navy and clergy on her understanding of social class and gender roles. III. Austen's Literary Career Discuss the publication of Austen's early novels, including....

Could you help me draft an essay outline about Jane Austine ?

I. Introduction A. Brief overview of Jane Austen's life and works B. Significance of Jane Austen as a prominent female author in the literary world II. Early Life and Background A. Family background and upbringing B. Education and influences on her writing style III. Major Works by Jane Austen A. Pride and Prejudice 1. Plot summary 2. Analysis of main characters and themes B. Sense and Sensibility 1. Plot summary 2. Comparison with other works and common themes C. Emma 1. Plot summary 2. Exploration of social class and gender roles in the novel IV. Literary Style and Themes A. Exploration of Austen's....

My teacher suggested focusing on unit lesson. Any essay topics that align with this guidance?

Unit Lesson Essay Topic Ideas History The Causes and Consequences of the American Civil War: Analyze the complex factors that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War and explore its far-reaching social, political, and economic consequences. The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on European Society: Examine the technological, economic, and social changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, considering its effects on workers, urbanization, and the balance of power. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: Investigate the reasons for the rise and eventual decline of the Roman Empire, analyzing its political, social, military, and economic strengths and....

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Published August 01, 2024

Announcing the 2024-2025 Common Application for NYU

Billy Sichel

Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions

It’s August 1st and that means the application at NYU has officially opened. This year, we’ve made some pretty big changes to NYU’s Common Application to simplify the process for our applicants, and to help us learn a little more about you!

When you start NYU’s member questions on the Common App, you’ll see 6 sections that you’ll need to complete. We give you a little bit of a head start by checking off the “Writing” section. This section is optional – but also new and exciting! More on that later.

The General Information Section

In the “General” section, you’ll be asked a few questions about how you want us to handle your application – Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision? – and which campus you want to apply to. As you (hopefully!) already know, NYU has three degree-granting campuses: in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. Our Common App will let you apply to any combination of our campuses.

Once you make your campus selections, an additional set of questions will show up that are specific to your campus(es) of interest. Nothing too tricky here! You’ll be able to tell us about your academic area of interest for each campus, and a few other quick-and-easy questions about program eligibility, housing preferences, etc. so that we’re ready for you if you are ultimately admitted.

The Academics Section

Once you have those sections squared away, you’ll move on to the Academics section. This section will walk you through the information we’ll need you to submit outside of the Common App itself. Nothing to do here, except confirm that you’re clear on the next steps and additional requirements.

The Optional Supplemental Question

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: The optional, pre-checked-off Writing section. Last year, we made the decision to update our supplemental question. However, what we heard from our applicants was that people really wanted to tell us more! But the thing is…we already know why NYU is a great place to spend your 4 years, so we thought: if you want to tell us more about your passion for NYU, let’s make the question about you .

The new writing question says:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions  in your  essay :

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

So, if it feels right for you to tell us a little more about yourself in the application, we want to know where you will turn to for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you and resonate with you. Four years at NYU will propel you into a future you might not even be able to imagine yet, but take a minute (if you want – it really is optional!) to tell us about the ideas that have gotten you to this point, and those that might shape you into the person you’re about to become.

These are just a few of the changes we have made this year, so make sure to carefully read each question carefully before you answer them. If you ever have any questions for us about our questions, we are always here to help . We wish you the best of luck this application season, and can’t wait to learn more about you!

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Americans’ views of offensive speech aren’t necessarily clear-cut

About six-in-ten U.S. adults (62%) say that “people being too easily offended by things others say” is a major problem in the country today.

In a separate question, 47% say that “people saying things that are very offensive to others” is a major problem, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand Americans’ views on whether offensive speech – and people being too easily offended by what others say – are major problems for the country. For this analysis, we surveyed 8,709 U.S. adults from April 8 to 14, 2024.

Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology . Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and its methodology .

There are substantial differences in these views between Republicans and Democrats.

• Eight-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say people being too easily offended by what others say is a major problem. By comparison, 45% of Democrats and Democratic leaners say the same.
• In contrast, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say that people saying things that are very offensive is a major problem in the country today. A 59% majority of Democrats say this, compared with 34% of Republicans.

Looking at Americans’ views on these two questions together, about a third (32%) say that people being too easily offended by things others say and people saying very offensive things to others are both major problems.

About as many Americans (30%) say people taking offense too easily is a major problem, but very offensive speech is not. A much smaller share (15%) say that people saying very offensive things is a major problem, but people too easily taking offense isn’t. And another 23% say that neither is a major problem in the country.

Sizable shares within both parties say both issues are major problems – 30% of Republicans and 32% of Democrats say this.

However, half of Republicans, compared with just 12% of Democrats, say people being too easily offended is a major problem, but people saying very offensive things isn’t. Slightly more than half of conservative Republicans (53%) hold this combination of views, along with 44% of moderate and liberal Republicans.

By contrast, about a quarter of Democrats (26%) – and a third of liberal Democrats – say people saying very offensive things is a major problem, but people being too easily offended is not. Just 4% of Republicans hold this combination of views.

Another 29% of Democrats, but just 15% of Republicans, say neither of these is a major problem.

There are also significant demographic differences in attitudes about offensive speech.

Race and ethnicity

While at least half of Americans across racial and ethnic groups say being too easily offended is a major problem in the country, White adults are particularly likely to say this. Nearly two-thirds of White adults (65%) say this is a major problem, as do 59% of Hispanic, 59% of Asian and 50% of Black adults.

No more than about one-in-ten in any of these groups say people getting offended too easily is not a problem in the country today.

Conversely, Black (63%), Asian (58%) and Hispanic (55%) adults are more likely than White adults (42%) to say that people saying very offensive things to others is a major problem.

Men (62%) and women (63%) are about equally likely to say people being too easily offended is a major problem.

But women (54%) are far more likely than men (40%) to say offensive speech is a major problem.

Within political parties, there are some differences by gender, race and ethnicity on these questions.

On whether people being too easily offended is a major problem:

• Hispanic Republicans (71%) are less likely than White Republicans (83%) to say this is a major problem. (The sample size for Black and Asian Republicans is too small to evaluate these groups individually.)
• There are no gaps between men and women in either party.

On whether offensive speech is a major problem:

• Democratic and Republican women are more likely than men in their parties to say offensive speech is a major problem. Among Democrats, 63% of women and 54% of men say this. And in the GOP, 43% of women and 27% of men say the same.
• While roughly two-thirds of Black (67%), Hispanic (65%) and Asian Democrats (64%) say this is a major issue, a narrower majority of White Democrats (54%) share that view.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published Dec. 14, 2021. Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and its methodology .

• Discrimination & Prejudice
• Free Speech & Press
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J. Baxter Oliphant is a senior researcher focusing on politics at Pew Research Center .

Many adults in East and Southeast Asia support free speech, are open to societal change

Americans’ views of technology companies, most americans say a free press is highly important to society, ­most americans favor restrictions on false information, violent content online, freedom of speech and lgbt rights: americans’ views of issues in supreme court case, most popular.

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Hollywood's glory fades due to US prejudice

Chinese movies have dominated the trending topics online since July, far outpacing foreign movies such as Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and Deadpool and Wolverine. These Hollywood movies have fallen behind Chinese films in terms of creative marketing, strategy and execution.

On the surface, this seems to be the result of recent Hollywood movies like Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, and Doctor Strange 2 performing poorly at the box office and critics censuring them for their negative portrayal of other countries and sympathetic portrayal of fascism.

However, the deeper issue lies in Hollywood's failure to address the US' increasing social contradictions, leading to a gradual loss of Hollywood movies' universal appeal. Also, to protect the sources of substantial revenue such as Disneyland, Universal Studios and their likes, Hollywood has stopped experimenting with innovative themes and genres, gradually falling out of sync with contemporary global developments. This decline mirrors the broader trend of growing conservatism in US society.

On the other hand, Chinese movies have experienced exponential growth since the second decade of this century, breaking through the billion-yuan box office barrier and continuing their upward trajectory. After weathering the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese film industry now stands at a new historical starting point. In recent years, the Chinese film market has quietly undergone a transformation, with US movies gradually ceding their box office dominance to domestic films.

The major changes in the internal and external environment of Chinese cinema will have long-term, complex implications not just for the film industry but also on the development of China's cultural sector.

Since the market-oriented and industrial reform of China's film industry in the late 20th century, the challenge of facing external competition, particularly from Hollywood, has always been a major issue. Chinese movies struggled to find effective strategies to counter the influence of films like Jurassic Park and Titanic and the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Mission: Impossible, and Fast & Furious series.

But since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the Chinese film industry has increasingly focused on realistic themes and the rich traditional culture of China. The innovative use of genres and themes that resonate with the Chinese people, as well as with reality and tradition, has gradually changed the situation. As a result, Chinese movies are no longer at a competitive disadvantage against Hollywood productions.

For instance, last summer's Chang'an revived Chinese people's interest in Tang Dynasty (618-907) poetry, sparking diverse cultural and tourism developments centered on the theme. Similarly, this year's White Snake achieved both critical and commercial success. This gradual integration of film and cultural tourism has not only boosted domestic consumption but also taken China's cultural and tourism integration to new levels.

On this foundation, the task of telling Chinese stories and disseminating China's voice through cinema has become even more significant. A richer commercial ecosystem has naturally helped in developing new growth models tailored to the unique conditions and characteristics of Chinese cinema, especially as Hollywood's global influence wanes.

Despite the widespread impact of the pandemic on the global film industry, with some in Hollywood believing that their market will never return to its 2019 peak, the Chinese film industry has continued to innovate itself. Movies such as The Wandering Earth 2 illustrate that China's cultural industry has not stalled due to the pandemic; instead, it has reached new heights. Building on the success of The Wandering Earth and Crazy Alien during the 2019 Spring Festival, followed by A Writer's Odyssey and Moon Man, the industry has continued its steady advance.

New film techniques like virtual production used in The Wandering Earth 2 represent the next phase of cinema's development worldwide, following the earlier widespread use of green screen technology. Given the barriers of technology, talents and industry scale, this new production technique has been mastered by filmmakers of only a few countries, including the US, and represents the future of global cinema. Thus, the success of The Wandering Earth series not only marks a milestone for Chinese sci-fi movies but also highlights the painstaking progress of Chinese cinema and the cultural industry.

Contemporary Chinese culture, represented by Chinese cinema, must create new values and offer a narrative distinct from the US', if it is to have greater appeal worldwide. Only by popularizing the Chinese way of life, traditional Chinese culture and the underlying values across the world can China better match its international discourse power with its comprehensive national strength.

Looking to the future, Chinese cinema still faces many complex cultural challenges, and inevitably has to engage in direct competition with American culture represented by films and gaming. For example, from the Three-Body Problem series to The Wandering Earth, Chinese sci-fi movies have been increasingly influencing the global cultural landscape, forcing Hollywood and emerging streaming platforms to respond to maintain their influence.

While adapting Chinese sci-fi novels such as The Three-Body Problem and The Dark Forest, US filmmakers not only insert American values into the productions but also distort China's image, falsely attributing global climate change and ecological crises to the country. This is done to divert American people's attention from the US' domestic problems while pursuing the broader political goal of "America First" and suppressing technological development in other countries.

This reality necessitates that China's cultural creations, including movies, address global issues such as climate change and ecological crises, offering Chinese solutions for them in order to promote the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and facilitate exchanges among societies.

The author is an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at [email protected], and [email protected].

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Announcing the Winners of our Inaugural Undergraduate Essay Prize!

We are delighted to announce that this past year, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies established the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Undergraduate Essay Prize , the first undergraduate essay prize on campus for essays written in languages other than English!  Entry into the competition is by faculty nomination of outstanding essays written during the past year, and prize recipients are chosen by the department's Undergraduate Awards Committee.  Prize amounts this year ranged from $300 to $600.

Here are this year's winners, with the titles of their most excellent essays:

• Nicholas Bradley, nominated by Professor Rodríguez Argente, for the essay "Textos aljamiados"
• Mariana Li Chen, nominated by Professor Mercer, for the essay "Yerma"
• Isabella Garrido, nominated by Professor Jaffee, for the essay "Composicíon Comparativa 1"
• Alysa Meng, nominated by Professor Hochberg, for the essay "El corrido de Camila"

This new prize is a wonderful addition to our department, and we are delighted to be able to congratulate our inaugural prize winners!    

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5 takeaways by a longtime NABJ member from Trump’s appearance before Black journalists

Eric Deggans

Former President Donald Trump walks offstage after speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

CHICAGO — At first, it felt like watching a slow-motion car crash.

I wasn’t actually in the room when Donald Trump brought his toxic rhetoric to the National Association of Black Journalists national convention Wednesday. But I was nearly there, sitting in a taxicab headed from the airport to the conference at the Hilton Chicago downtown, watching a livestream video as the former president insulted a roomful of Black journalists after ABC’s Rachel Scott opened with a tough question.

Scott asked about several instances where Trump said racist things, from falsely insisting Barack Obama wasn’t born in America to calling Black journalists losers and racist. Trump’s response was a torrent of barely connected ideas, including a complaint that NABJ brought him to Chicago under “false pretenses” because they didn’t work out details to get Vice President Kamala Harris to make a similar, in-person appearance at the convention.

“I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln,” Trump said, drawing scoffs from the crowd. “That is my answer.”

In a flash, it felt like all the predictions critics made of inviting Trump to address Black journalists came true. He was offering his usual torrent of accusations, assertions and insults — some outrageous, most inflated — creating word salad that moderators struggled to fact-check in the moment, raising fears that he owned the organization at its own conference.

As a 34-year member of NABJ, I had my own qualms. Not about inviting Trump — the group has invited the major party candidates for president to its national conferences for many years, to platform questions on issues involving people of color. But, among other things, I objected to seeing an anchor from the right-leaning cable channel Fox News among the three people questioning Trump. (Though I have volunteered for decades as chair of the NABJ’s Media Monitoring Committee, I had nothing to do with organizing Trump’s appearance.)

Trump's planned address to Black journalists convention sparks backlash

And I worried about the optics of a Black journalists group offering a prime panel spot to a politician who had attacked Black journalists, while the Black and Asian woman also running for president would not appear.

But, after some reflection and talking with other members at the conference, I think the actual impact of Trump’s appearance is more nuanced. Here’s my five takeaways from what happened.

Trump’s appearance pushed NABJ to face tension between its status as a journalism organization and an advocate for fair treatment of Black journalists and, by extension, Black people.

This is an idea I heard from a friend and fellow journalist/NABJ member, and it rings true. As journalists, we jump at the chance to ask direct questions of a former president who has often stoked racial fears, from birtherism attacks against Obama and Harris to false claims about undocumented immigrants.

But our website also notes that NABJ “advocates on behalf of Black journalists and media professionals,” honoring those who provide “balanced coverage of the Black community and society at large.” I’ve always felt that if the media industry can give Black journalists a fair shot, we can help provide more accurate, less prejudiced coverage of everything — particularly issues involving marginalized groups.

That’s why some NABJ members chafed at platforming Trump, with his long history of racist statements, at a conference aimed at reducing the prejudice Black journalists face every day. But I think part of reaching NABJ’s goals involves Black journalists learning how to confront racist ideas; trying to get Trump to explain himself in front of a group of Black media professionals seems pretty in line with that mission.

NABJ President Ken Lemon asserted during the conference’s opening ceremonies later that day that the group is, at its core, a journalism organization. On this day, at least, it’s obvious the journalism side took precedence.

Former President Donald Trump shakes hands with ABC's Rachel Scott, one of the journalists who moderated the event at NABJ in Chicago on Wednesday. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

If the goal was to get Trump to reveal his terrible takes on race to the world — mission accomplished.

Lots of media outlets focused on his awful comments on how Harris “suddenly” became Black in his eyes. Trump tried the classic maneuver of turning an opponent’s advantage against them, acting as if the embrace of Harris as a history-making Black and Asian woman in politics was the result of some cynical marketing spin.

“I did not know she was Black until a couple of years ago when she happened to turn Black,” he said. “And now she wants to be known as Black. Is she Indian, or is she Black?”

True enough, the questioners struggled to pin Trump down on exactly why he talks about race the way he does. Or how he can believe such ideas aren’t racist.

Trump attacks Kamala Harris’ racial identity at Black journalism convention

Still, what Trump did say mostly made him look old-fashioned and prejudiced. Will it appeal to his base? Perhaps, but the moment didn’t feel like a strong, confident leader puncturing racial hypocrisy.

It seemed more like the wandering statements of someone who just doesn’t understand America’s modern melting pot of ethnicities.

Sometimes, with Trump, there is value in having an interviewer on hand who he trusts.

Much as I disliked seeing an anchor from a news organization that has won the NABJ’s Thumbs Down Award twice on the panel, Fox News’ Harris Faulkner did get Trump to open up a bit with less-pointed but telling questions.

In particular, when Trump said he thought the vice presidential candidates had “virtually no impact” on election results, he seemed to put into perspective his relationship with JD Vance while belittling the guy he is supposed to spend months alongside in a tight campaign.

There are other journalists from less partisan news outlets who likely could have achieved the same moment. But there is value in having one journalist in the mix who doesn’t immediately raise Trump’s defenses and might provoke more telling responses.

Former President Donald Trump appears on a panel at NABJ on Wednesday in Chicago. From left, ABC's Rachel Scott, Semafor's Kadia Goba and FOX News' Harris Faulkner moderated the event. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

Trump is a chaos agent who divides people and divides NABJ

In the end, I was less concerned about how NABJ looked to the world in the wake of Trump’s visit than how it deals with itself.

As news of the panel spread, many journalists spoke out passionately against having him at the conference, reasoning that any appearance would likely benefit him more than the group, platforming his terrible rhetoric about racial issues. Well-known figures like Roland Martin and April Ryan — who Trump criticized when he was president — spoke out; Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah quit her post as convention co-chair amid the controversy.

There are also tough questions about why the group couldn’t work out an arrangement to have Harris appear at the convention virtually, given that she was flying to Houston for the funeral of friend and sorority sister Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Considering the intense emotions at hand over the coming election and widespread skepticism about coverage decisions by journalists, there’s lots of criticism and bruising assumptions about what happened here.

This is the kind of division that can hobble NABJ in the future as people cancel memberships, decline to volunteer, hold back donations and continue to criticize the group’s direction. I expect the group’s membership meeting, scheduled for Saturday morning, will draw lots of pointed feedback from those who still question the wisdom of welcoming the former president here.

As someone who can attribute almost every major job I’ve gotten to connections made at an NABJ convention, this heightened squabbling is what I fear most — a distraction at a time when job losses and cutbacks in media have made times even more challenging for journalists of color.

In a way, NABJ played Trump’s game — and may have had some success

Another friend noted that Trump — who commands loyalty from GOP voters — has always valued dominating the news cycle, regardless of whether the stories are complimentary. His NABJ appearance ensured everything from the network evening news programs to The Daily Show focused on his comments here rather than Harris’ increasingly energized campaign.

As I saw criticism build over Trump’s visit, I wondered if NABJ wasn’t like a scrappy dog who finally caught a passing car — after years of GOP candidates declining invitations, finally one of the most divisive Republicans in modern politics was accepted. And the consequences of hosting him — particularly when Harris would not appear at the convention — loomed large.

But in the end, NABJ also landed at the top of the news cycle at a time when — as announced by the group during its opening ceremony — the convention drew the largest number of attendees in its history, over 4,000.

Yes, many supporters felt, as I did initially, that the appearance was a train wreck. But NABJ also showed the world three Black female journalists questioning Trump on some of his most provocative statements on race, with telling answers.

In a world where any publicity can be good publicity, that just might be enough.