Appropriateness of the Title Pride and Prejudice and Its Significance

The acclaimed novel Pride and Prejudice was originally entitled First Impressions. However, when its penwoman, Jane Austen, revised her novel, she gave it a new title now it bears. This title is so appropriate that it hardly requires any justifying argument.

Usually, the title of a book, a novel, a literary work, or any written piece is given, considering its subject matter. From the title, one can easily derive what the author will focus on in the book or the composition.

The very title, Pride and Prejudice, implies what the novel’s story is all about. We must go through the story with a critical attitude to show its significance while explaining why the author has renamed her novel Pride and Prejudice.

Austen’s Primary Concern in The Pride and Prejudice

In order to realize the significance of the title, Pride and Prejudice, it’s important to understand the primary concern of the writer in this novel. It’s not a novel of stormy passions and high tragedies of human life. Furthermore, Jane Austen has never claimed that she’s a psychological novelist. 

Her primary concern was to represent the comedy of domestic life. She further related to the humor of the personal relationship between man and man, man and woman, husband and wife, and at least, between the classes of society. 

In this connection, Austen has delineated the characters in their interactions when they move and live in society. This emphasis on the comedy of domestic life aligns with Austen’s use of irony and humor throughout the novel. As discussed in this article, Austen employs these literary techniques to subtly critique societal norms and values, adding depth to her portrayal of character interactions.

The Significance of The Words “Pride” and “Prejudice” in The Novel

Significance of The Words “Pride” and “Prejudice” in The Novel

The words “Pride” and “Prejudice” are very significant in the characterization of the novel. These traits of human character are present in both the hero and the heroine of the novel. 

As we go through the novel’s story, we get to discover that a sense of pride is reflected in the character of Mr. Darcy, the hero, while a sense of prejudice is reflected in that of Elizabeth, the heroine. 

Besides the hero and the heroine, some other important characters have somehow revealed a sense of pride throughout the story. This means that the title, Pride and Prejudice is justified as it centers around the two most important characters of the novel. 

This dual focus on pride and prejudice is not only confined to the main characters but extends to the broader theme of marriage in the novel. As explored in our article on the Theme of Marriage in The Novel Pride and Prejudice, the interplay of pride and prejudice significantly influences the decisions and relationships of various characters, providing a nuanced understanding of the novel’s central themes.

The Sense of “Pride” Portrayed in Mr. Darcy

The Sense of “Pride” Portrayed in Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy was declared “The proudest, most disagreeable man in the world” when he was first introduced in the novel. One may trace all his actions to pride. 

Wickham opines this pride to Elizabeth Bennet as “filial pride” as he belongs to the upper-middle class of society; he bears this pride of being superior to others. 

A Pride inherited from Family

This pride he inherited from his father is now dead. It’s also present in the character of his sister, Georgiana, and Wickham calls it “brotherly pride.” He ironically says that pride has often been her best friend.

Darcy admits to his disposal and says that his pride is “selfish” and “overbearing.” He confesses to Elizabeth when he contemplates his past actions that his father had a role in making him proud. 

Despite being taught sound principles, his father was allowed and even encouraged to be “selfish” and “overbearing” to think meanly of the rest of the world. At least, he was to wish to think meanly of the sense and worth of Elizabeth compared to his own. 

Darcy was not forgetful of his pride even when he was going to propose to Elizabeth. He balances tenderness and pride in his speech. Moreover, his pride makes him blind to the faults of the members of his class.

This complex portrayal of pride in Mr. Darcy is further emphasized through Austen’s use of letters in the novel Pride and Prejudice. Darcy’s letters reveal his inner thoughts and feelings, providing insight into the motivations behind his actions and the development of his character.

A Perfect Balance of “Pride” and “Prejudice” in Darcy and Elizabeth

Darcy turns down the proposal of dancing with Elizabeth made by Bingley out of pride. He responds in a humiliating tone, “She is not handsome enough to tempt me,” which wounds Elizabeth’s sentiment and makes her prejudiced against Darcy. She reveals to Charlotte that she has resolved to hate him onward. 

This prejudice of Elizabeth against Darcy further drags on when Darcy confesses his implacability at Netherfield, “I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

Darcy is proud and prejudiced against all who are not at par with him in richness and social position. His social superiority, refinement, and wealth lead to this general prejudice. That is why, as Elizabeth has made it clear later on, he carries prejudice against Wickham, Jane, and in general, against everything unfitting to his social world.

Zimmerman (1968) imparts that the full significance of the title “Pride and Prejudice” has been obscured due to narrow interpretations, and the moral conflict is between pride and vanity, not between pride and prejudice.

The Sense of “Pride” and “Prejudice” Portrayed in Elizabeth

Conversely, Elizabeth maintains her pride too. Her pride consists of being perceptive and refined. At the same time, she is prejudiced against Darcy. However, her prejudice does not stem from any moral purpose, but her hurt pride. 

It is her pride when Elizabeth does not protest but says, “I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine,” in response to Charlotte when he says that Darcy has a right to be proud. So, in this instance, she is both proud and prejudiced.

Elizabeth’s portrayal of pride and prejudice adds depth to her character, illustrating the complexity of human emotions and interactions. As explored in our article on the Elements of Wit, Humor, And Irony in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth’s witty remarks and ironic observations highlight her perceptive nature, intertwining with her prideful tendencies and prejudiced perceptions of Darcy.

Both Pride and Prejudice Faded Away with Time and Realization

Pride and Prejudice Faded Away with Time and Realization

But over time, both Darcy and Elizabeth sacrifice their Pride and Prejudice as they become convinced of the hollowness of these vain sentiments. The vulgarity of Darcy’s aunt shocked him and taught him that refinement is not the elite’s monopoly. This new vision led him to play a vital role in the Lydia-Wickham episode. 

Besides, Elizabeth’s refusal to marry him opened his eyes that social superiority was not everything in life. Thus there is a new awakening in his heart, and he shacks off his pride and prejudice completely.

Elizabeth, too, reaches a new conclusion. Darcy’s letter helps her give up pride and prejudice. Now, she is embarrassed about how she has been “blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd.” 

She starts reassessing Darcy with this awakening, recognizing his talent and good disposition. She even considered that Darcy would most suit her. For so long, pride and prejudice blinded them, but these verities have disappeared now. They realize it’s high time they get married.

The Sense of “Pride” and “Prejudice” in Other Characters

Pride and prejudice were not only present in the hero and the heroine. According to Gilbert Ryle, “Every character of the novel exhibits too much or too little pride of a bad or silly sort or pride of a good sort, sham pride or genuine pride and so forth.” 

However, Mr. Bennet has genuine pride. He hates the despicable. But his pride is inverted and unexecuted. He voices his just contempt in witty words, but he does nothing to prevent or repair what he condemns. 

Mr. Bingley has no special pride, but his sisters are proud in the sense of being vain. In this way, almost all the characters have more or less pride and prejudice. 

Conclusion

Concluding, there would have been no appropriate name except Pride and Prejudice for this novel. Hence, the title, Pride and Prejudice is entirely appropriate and bears significance in its theme’s exposition and characters.

Now, let’s summarize the “Pride and Prejudice” title and its significance below based on the article above:

Please, let us know in the comment section if you’ve found this article helpful and informative. 

Reference

Everett Zimmerman et al. “Pride and Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice.” Nineteenth-Century Literature, 23 (1968): 64-73. https://doi.org/10.2307/2932317.

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