Pride and prejudice themes

Two themes:

and


Wealth


Two Groups

The Wealthy

•
•
•

Mr. Darcy
Mr. Bingley
Lady Catherine de
Bourgh

The Not – So –
Wealthy

•
•
•

Mr. Bennett
Mr. Collins
Mr. Wickham


The First group

The Wealthy


mr. Darcy
• wealthy owner of the renowned family
estate of Pemberley in Derbyshire

• among the 400 wealthiest families in
the country

• having £10,000 a year


Mr. Charles Bingley

•

His family acquired fortune in
trade;
can afford to rent an estate;
his wealth is noted to be about
5,000 pounds a year.

•
•


Lady Catherine de Bourgh

• inherit the property Rosings Park and
great wealth from late husband

• her wealth is noted that just the glazing
on her estates windows costs 800 pounds.


The second group

The Not – So Wealthy


Money plays a key role in the marriage
market, not only for the young ladies seeking a well-off husband, but also for men who wish to
marry a woman of means.


Mr. Bennett

• his wealth is about 2000 pounds a year derived almost
from his estate of Longbourn;


Mr.Collins

•

works for Lady Catherine and lives in the
parsonage on her estate

• was to inherit the family farm upon
Mr. Bennett's death


George Wickham

•

grew up the son of a revered steward at Mr. Darcy's estate,

Pemberley.

• exchanged the money that the clergy position was worth for a
one-time payment of 3,000 pounds.

• took advantage of Georgiana to seduce her, hoping to steal her
away and marry her, getting his hands on the young girl's
₤30,000 dowry.

•

married Lydia only because Darcy provides a financial

incentive.

SociAL class



Social class

-

In countryide

-

Middle class

-

5 young daughters

-

On the edge of losing their home
to a relative, Mr.

Collins


Social class

vs


Social class
* Mr. Collins

-

Relative of the Bennets
A clergyman
Consider the
importance of class

-

Spend most of his time toadying
his upper class patron,
Lady Catherine de

Bourgh


Social class
Lady Catherine de Bourgh

-

Upper- class
Mr. Darcy’s aunt
Lady Catherine wished to marry her own

daughter Anne to Mr. Darcy

-

Tried unsuccessfully to dissuade
Elizabeth
from marrying Darcy


VS

“ In marrying your nephew , I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a
gentle man; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal”


Social class
* Mr. Darcy

-

wealthy gentleman with an income
exceeding £10,000 a year

-

Upper- class
Initially, he is an arrogant and selfish snob;
Tried to rid himself of his feelings for someone who
is far below him socially

-> Failed->capable of change/ natural generosity+ integrity



Thank you
for listening