Pride and Prejudice: Literary Criticism

When asking common child who their hero or heroine is, a common answer would be Superman, Batman, or Cat Woman. To these kids, a hero is defined as someone with extraordinary physical strength and the bra really to fight some(prenominal) villain, much(prenominal) as the Joker, without any personal benefit or reward. Although their view of a hero is kneadually childish and uninformed, they are in a way correct. Although a hero may not constantly need to physically battle villains, they must have emotional strength, bravery, and perseverance to overcome whatever douses their several(prenominal) villain brings forward.In the novel, Pride and preconceived opinion, author Jane Austen portrays her view of heroes, heroines, and villains in a satirically love story. Andrew H. Wright has pen a literary criticism essay, agnomend Heroines, Heroes, and Villains in Pride and damage, in which he states his survey of Austens purpose. Although critic Andrew H. Wright states that some p eople are simply destined to be heroes, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen features characters that are cap able of overcoming their possess weaknesses that rise as heroes due to their accept perseverance and those who hinder with a potential-heros progress become villains. Although Andrew H.Wright knock offes this key point Austen makes, Pride and Prejudice introduces characters that are able to overcome their own flaws that rise as heroes. First off, Wright states how he believes Elizabeth to be the heroine of the story. In the first divide he quickly states Elizabeth is definitely the heroine not entirely does she explicitly represent one of the words of the title of the story she quite thoroughly dominates the action (Wright 97). Wright misinterprets the reason that Elizabeth is a heroine. Its true that Elizabeth dominates the action throughout, though that is however a result of be the main character.By no means is her development as a character influenced by the number of mentions she receives in the novel. On another note, Wright is incorrect in verbalism that Elizabeth only represents one of the words of the title of the story, as Austen intends her to represent both(prenominal). An example of this occurs when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth Elizabeths astonishment was beyond impressionhe was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority-of its being a degradation-of the family obstacles (Austen 185). This quote is a rime example of how many interpret the title of Pride and Prejudice, believe that Darcy is intended to be the pride and Elizabeth is intended to be the prejudice. In actuality, both characters exhibit both of the traits. In observing Darcys excessive pride, Elizabeth is very prejudiced. In disgust with Darcys proposal, Elizabeth goes onto say that From the very beginning, from the very 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 self-esteem of the feelings of others (Austen 188).Elizabeths nasty comment about Darcy confirms that she, before even getting to know Mr. Darcy, deems him as snobbish, exhibit her prejudice. Darcy is very prejudiced in making judgments on Elizabeth based on her family and wealth. An example of Darcys prejudice occurs when Elizabeth rejects his first proposal I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I welter in my success (Austen 187). Darcy believes that by separating Mr. Bingley from Jane, he is doing what is best for his friend.It should not be Darcys concern to be involved in his friends relationship, and Mr. Bingley should know what is best for himself. Wright is misguided in saying that Elizabeth only represents only one of the words in the title, thus making her the heroine, when Darcy and Elizabeth represent both these characteristics. Elizabeth ultimately overcomes her own flaws a nd is able to be happily with Darcy, yet she first had to deal with wicked characters. The villains in Pride and Prejudice disrupt a potential-heros progress, yet this is misinterpreted by Wright.Once again, Andrew H. Wright understands what the basic theme Jane Austen intends to share, but he misunderstands the reason why it is true. In his critical essay, Wright discusses George Wickham is at once the most plausible and the most villainous of Jane Austens anti-heroes he is handsome, persuasive, personable (Wright 108). Indeed, this is all true, yet not once does Wright mention why Wickham is a villain, other than the fact that Elizabeth was attracted to him.Wright ignores the fact that Wickham is a sick man because of what happened with Darcys sister. In the novel, Darcy reveals to Elizabeth in his letter Mr. Wickhams chief object was unquestionably my sisters fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a stron g inducement (Austen 196). Without a doubt, Wickham interferes with Elizabeths marriage with Mr. Darcy to entertain himself and bother Darcy. Elizabeths chances of realizing her requisite love for Darcy are this delayed.It is important to note that perhaps Elizabeth expresses feelings at first for Wickhams character, described a handsome and personable, because of her prejudice. At Meryton, Elizabeth first observes Wickham as beyond all the other officers in person, countenance, air, and walk (Austen 75). Elizabeth notices him to be different from the other officers, and associates him positively because he is an officer. Wickhams irresistible characteristics attract Elizabeth away from Darcy because her prejudice forces her to dismiss any chance at him being flawed upon first meeting him.The final reason Wickham is a villainous character is because of his elopement with Lydia, leading to a misunderstanding between Elizabeth and Darcy. As Elizabeth tells Darcy of her discovery of W ickham and Lydias elopement, Darcy begins walk up and down the room in earnest meditation his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon discovered and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. (Austen 264). Elizabeth greatly misunderstands this situation thinking that Darcy leaves because he no longstanding wants to be connected with the familys suddenly poor social status. In actuality, Darcy is going to London to refer the situation for the Bennet family. Due to this misunderstanding, Elizabeth assumes that Darcy is no longer interested in her. Wickhams villainous act of running off with Lydia causes great trouble for Elizabeth, separating her from Darcy and causing great worry about her social status.Wright only acknowledges Wickhams villainy for being attractive and simply another relationship for Elizabeth, and not for one which interrupts her needful relation ship with Darcy. As shown in Pride and Prejudice villains are a blocking force of a potential-heros progress. Even though critic Andrew H. Wright believes that some people are simply destined to be heroes, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen features characters that are capable of overcoming their own weaknesses that rise as heroes due to their own perseverance and those who interfere with a otential-heros progress become villains. Elizabeth Bennet outlines Austens definition of a hero, as Wickham does as a villain. Through the tough times brought upon her by villains, and her own weaknesses which she must overcome, Elizabeth becomes Austens definition of a hero by overcoming her weaknesses. Her prejudice and excessive pride are the qualities which lead her to trouble and confusion in her relationship with Darcy. It is clear why Austen first titled the novel First Impressions, because as this storys heroine learns, they can be quite deceiving.