Independent Novel Essay on
Jane Austen’s
Pride and Prejudice


“It is truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

This quote out of the novel is the very first sentence and is also one of the themes of this novel. Though it may seem like a strange theme it was actually quite good, if not great. It gave the story funny moments, unsure twists, and a type of romantic adventure that almost every girl loves. The theme is simple, yet keeps the audiences interested and involved in thinking what will happen next. Another theme that the novel has is the idea of not judging people by their overall facade, but looking closer into what is truly going on, and in the process of doing that finding yourself as well. Though that theme may be a little difficult to recognize because young ladies in this novel, mainly the Bennet girls, generally think of nothing other than finding a good husband. Though that may be the case, this theme is still visible in the text. There was only one Bennet girl, Elizabeth Bennet, who did not constantly think of finding a husband and was the same young lady that had to read between the lines not only to find herself but to also reveal her love for another.

On top of that Elizabeth Bennet, had a mind of her own and had opinions that some women did not think to be “civil” for that time period. Yet her opinions were very down to earth and honest. That surprised and fascinated a certain gentleman, a Mr. Darcy. It gave him someone to talk to that would make the conversation remarkable. Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy, just about every chance they got, were engaged in a conversation that ended up in a type of debate. The fact that they did this made the story more stimulating by the moment. The thoughts that raced through Mr. Darcy’s and Miss Bennet’s minds were also very captivating. You never truly knew how they thought of the other person and yet you had a good sense that they were beginning to admire one another. Though Austen reflects to the reader the idea that they hated one another, she also revels their admiring if not loving each other by doing so. That fact propelled you even further to keep reading and find out what happens next.

The way that all of the friends and family bonds in this novel are connected to the main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, to change most of their actions, thoughts, and ideas concerning the other characters is intriguing. Much of the situations between the main characters and their friends and family greatly impact the direction from which the novel sways from emotion to emotion of the main characters and the readers. Austen uses these twists in emotions to surprise her readers. She later attaches these twists to bring about the conclusion of the novel. Though while the novel is still in play she some what makes connections between the twists only to form more twists and turns.

Though some people may say that Austen used too many twists in this novel, it is a fact that Pride and Prejudice is one of the best liked classic novels. It has several different meanings for just about every topic that is touched on in the text. Austen plays with the reactions of the readers by giving numerous chances for different interpretations of the manuscript. By doing so, Austen plays the puppeteer and the readers are the puppets that eat out of the palm of her hand. Her novels flow like several rivers that eventually all meet up in the sea. This is precisely what she is intending to do. In the end it does not matter much the way that the reader viewed certain stanzas because Austen makes everyone come to the same conclusion.

Eventually Elizabeth ascertains herself while growing to love a man that she thought she could never even be fond of. The other characters that were toyed with also right all wrongs and live happily ever after. The bonds at the end are very strong and recognizable. It is clear to see that throughout the entire novel the themes of finding a husband of good fortune and the other theme of reading between the lines and discovering yourself is evident. All of these themes and roads have made the novel outstanding in the eyes of its readers and therefore, deserves our utmost respect of such a master piece.