On Social Status
Social status, with its class distinctions and ranks among people, has been a characteristic of life for some time. While these distinctions may serve a purpose in society, often tension results, especially concerning matters of the heart. Nowhere is this tension more evident than in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. In this nineteenth century novel, Austen, through character development and manipulations, comments on the flaws and failures of such distinctions.
Throughout Pride and Prejudice, the reader is introduced to several characters that share the same affliction of discriminating on the notion of class boundaries. In particular, these characters include Lydia and Kitty Bennet, Sir William, Lady Catherine de Bourghh, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Darcy. Each character is used masterfully by Austen to illustrate different, yet similar aspects of the same concept, foolishness based on the grounds of class.
Austen opens the novel by introducing the reader to the connection between social standing and marriage. In her time, wealth usually indicated status and Austen states that "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (5). With this we are introduced to the Bennet family, which includes five unwed daughters, two of which Austen uses to illustrate one of the foolish traits of social status. The reader is aquatinted with the somewhat minor characters of Lydia and Kitty, who could fill a day just by flirting with men in uniform. Austen comments that "While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there forever" (180). Lydia does marry such a man, Wickham, who eventually is revealed as a scoundrel. As Austen suggests through this situation, external social position does not denote character.
In the character of Sir William Lucas, Austen demonstrates that the garnering of status serves to separate. Formerly a trader, Sir William achieves the status of knight and subsequently removes himself from his town. Despising his former business, he moves to his "Lucas Lodge" where he can "think with pleasure of his own importance" (17). Austen comments that his knighthood "had perhaps been felt too strongly" (17).
As the novel progresses, Austen introduces Mr. Collins. Specializing in the foolishness of sycophancy, Mr. Collins is Austen's commentary on excessive praise for want of high status association. Throughout the novel, Mr. Collins cannot speak highly enough of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. In his letter to Mr. Bennet he speaks of Lady Catherine stating that he has been, "'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'" (55). He also speaks highly of himself in the letter stating that he flatters himself, in that, his "'present overtures are highly commendable'" (55).
Mr. Collins holds Lady Catherine to be the model of distinguished society. As he himself is a fool, it is only fitting that he sees her this way. Lady Catherine is Austen's example of someone of high social standing, but who lacks true character. As a woman who "likes to have the distinction of rank preserved" (137), Lady Catherine is condescending and speaks "in so an authoritative a tone" that it displays "her self-importance" (139). She has an opinion on every subject and in constantly handing out unwanted advice. For example, in conversation about playing the piano she says, "'I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more'" (148). Later she repeats herself, saying "'Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more'" (150).
She also states that Elizabeth may come to her home and play on her "'capital'" piano, which is "'probably superior to'" (140) any piano Elizabeth ever played. However, she should "'play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house'" (148). Lady Catherine's invitation indicates that she does not wish to hear Elizabeth play, as her statement suggests that the room is located far enough away that she would not disturb anyone. With this, Mr. Darcy was "ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding" (148).
It is also important to note Lady Catherine's own admittance that she cannot play the piano. She says, "'If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient'" (147). This suggests that, although she has the trappings of high society, they are all a façade. Indeed, Lady Catherine is also Austen's commentary on the emptiness that can be found within false appearances.
Vital to Austen's view of social status is the man who ultimately overcomes the elite attitude of higher status. In Mr. Darcy, Austen presents us initially with a vain man, who is unwilling to socialize at the ball. When prompted by Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy comments that Elizabeth is "'tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me'" (12). This immediately establishes Mr. Darcy as rude and extremely proud. However, a transformation occurs as the novel progresses and he begins to find himself in want of Elizabeth's company. He notices her "fine eyes" (25) but is reluctant to court her due to social status. When he does proclaim his love for her, he does it in such a way that it insults Elizabeth. Austen comments on "His sense of her inferiority--of its being a degradation" to him (160).
As time passes, Elizabeth's affections for Mr. Darcy grow. When she visits Pemberley, she notes the tastefulness of Mr. Darcy's estate, as compared to the superficiality of Lady Catherine's. Pemberley was "without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned" (203). She also sees Mr. Darcy in a new light, as the Gardiner's speak of his great courtesy. Her uncle states that Mr. Darcy is "'perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming'" (214).
At this point in the novel, Austen presents a drastically different view of Mr. Darcy. He is portrayed as a man of legitimate taste. When compared to Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy is the true model of high-class society: a wealthy, tasteful gentleman. He has also changed, letting down the barriers of social status. He gives way to his true feelings. This change in Mr. Darcy, coupled with his aid to Lydia and Wickham convince Elizabeth of his true nature.
By allowing such a change in Mr. Darcy, Austen suggests two things. The first is that there is hope for the lowering of the social barriers and the second is that these barriers are ludicrous. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's future marriage suggests that social status should not be the final judge of relationships. It is the character of the individuals that decide the fate of the relationship.
Austen's commentary on social status ends by presenting the reader with the happiness of foregoing social status for love. Presented against the pattern established by Lydia, Sir William, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine, and initially Mr. Darcy, the negative and positive aspects of social barriers are revealed. Ultimately, Mr. Darcy's ability to change and leave his conceptions about status behind illustrates Austen's opinion about social status. It is the character of the individual and not their dealt lot in life that counts. That is where true human value lies. While status may remain in society, Austen suggests that it is foolish to let it dictate matters of the heart.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.
Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews. New York: Penguin Books, 1985.
Waugh, Evelyn. The Loved One. Boston: Little Brown and Co., 1976.
Throughout Pride and Prejudice, the reader is introduced to several characters that share the same affliction of discriminating on the notion of class boundaries. In particular, these characters include Lydia and Kitty Bennet, Sir William, Lady Catherine de Bourghh, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Darcy. Each character is used masterfully by Austen to illustrate different, yet similar aspects of the same concept, foolishness based on the grounds of class.
Austen opens the novel by introducing the reader to the connection between social standing and marriage. In her time, wealth usually indicated status and Austen states that "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (5). With this we are introduced to the Bennet family, which includes five unwed daughters, two of which Austen uses to illustrate one of the foolish traits of social status. The reader is aquatinted with the somewhat minor characters of Lydia and Kitty, who could fill a day just by flirting with men in uniform. Austen comments that "While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there forever" (180). Lydia does marry such a man, Wickham, who eventually is revealed as a scoundrel. As Austen suggests through this situation, external social position does not denote character.
In the character of Sir William Lucas, Austen demonstrates that the garnering of status serves to separate. Formerly a trader, Sir William achieves the status of knight and subsequently removes himself from his town. Despising his former business, he moves to his "Lucas Lodge" where he can "think with pleasure of his own importance" (17). Austen comments that his knighthood "had perhaps been felt too strongly" (17).
As the novel progresses, Austen introduces Mr. Collins. Specializing in the foolishness of sycophancy, Mr. Collins is Austen's commentary on excessive praise for want of high status association. Throughout the novel, Mr. Collins cannot speak highly enough of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. In his letter to Mr. Bennet he speaks of Lady Catherine stating that he has been, "'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'" (55). He also speaks highly of himself in the letter stating that he flatters himself, in that, his "'present overtures are highly commendable'" (55).
Mr. Collins holds Lady Catherine to be the model of distinguished society. As he himself is a fool, it is only fitting that he sees her this way. Lady Catherine is Austen's example of someone of high social standing, but who lacks true character. As a woman who "likes to have the distinction of rank preserved" (137), Lady Catherine is condescending and speaks "in so an authoritative a tone" that it displays "her self-importance" (139). She has an opinion on every subject and in constantly handing out unwanted advice. For example, in conversation about playing the piano she says, "'I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more'" (148). Later she repeats herself, saying "'Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more'" (150).
She also states that Elizabeth may come to her home and play on her "'capital'" piano, which is "'probably superior to'" (140) any piano Elizabeth ever played. However, she should "'play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house'" (148). Lady Catherine's invitation indicates that she does not wish to hear Elizabeth play, as her statement suggests that the room is located far enough away that she would not disturb anyone. With this, Mr. Darcy was "ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding" (148).
It is also important to note Lady Catherine's own admittance that she cannot play the piano. She says, "'If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient'" (147). This suggests that, although she has the trappings of high society, they are all a façade. Indeed, Lady Catherine is also Austen's commentary on the emptiness that can be found within false appearances.
Vital to Austen's view of social status is the man who ultimately overcomes the elite attitude of higher status. In Mr. Darcy, Austen presents us initially with a vain man, who is unwilling to socialize at the ball. When prompted by Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy comments that Elizabeth is "'tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me'" (12). This immediately establishes Mr. Darcy as rude and extremely proud. However, a transformation occurs as the novel progresses and he begins to find himself in want of Elizabeth's company. He notices her "fine eyes" (25) but is reluctant to court her due to social status. When he does proclaim his love for her, he does it in such a way that it insults Elizabeth. Austen comments on "His sense of her inferiority--of its being a degradation" to him (160).
As time passes, Elizabeth's affections for Mr. Darcy grow. When she visits Pemberley, she notes the tastefulness of Mr. Darcy's estate, as compared to the superficiality of Lady Catherine's. Pemberley was "without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned" (203). She also sees Mr. Darcy in a new light, as the Gardiner's speak of his great courtesy. Her uncle states that Mr. Darcy is "'perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming'" (214).
At this point in the novel, Austen presents a drastically different view of Mr. Darcy. He is portrayed as a man of legitimate taste. When compared to Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy is the true model of high-class society: a wealthy, tasteful gentleman. He has also changed, letting down the barriers of social status. He gives way to his true feelings. This change in Mr. Darcy, coupled with his aid to Lydia and Wickham convince Elizabeth of his true nature.
By allowing such a change in Mr. Darcy, Austen suggests two things. The first is that there is hope for the lowering of the social barriers and the second is that these barriers are ludicrous. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's future marriage suggests that social status should not be the final judge of relationships. It is the character of the individuals that decide the fate of the relationship.
Austen's commentary on social status ends by presenting the reader with the happiness of foregoing social status for love. Presented against the pattern established by Lydia, Sir William, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine, and initially Mr. Darcy, the negative and positive aspects of social barriers are revealed. Ultimately, Mr. Darcy's ability to change and leave his conceptions about status behind illustrates Austen's opinion about social status. It is the character of the individual and not their dealt lot in life that counts. That is where true human value lies. While status may remain in society, Austen suggests that it is foolish to let it dictate matters of the heart.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.
Fielding, Henry. Joseph Andrews. New York: Penguin Books, 1985.
Waugh, Evelyn. The Loved One. Boston: Little Brown and Co., 1976.
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