Pride and Prejudice

Word count: 285

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."(Chapter 1)

This is a great quote that sets the tone for most of the rest of the reading. It is at the very beginning of the novel and does a great job of helping readers get a picture for the theme that was apparent during this time that men with fortune felt as though that led to the notion that they must then use that money to possess a wife. It is important to recognize the wording used in the quote that "men" with fortune must find a "wife" and not the other way around. However, with many of Jane Austen's writing, there is an underlying sense that everyone is seeking out fortune and wealth and during this time, that came down to marrying into wealth. 

"'and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.'”(Chapter 5)

This is a very good quote that shows the characterization of Elizabeth and her sense of self worth as she is able to claim that she will not forgive the man that spoke badly of her behind her back as she has her own sense of pride in her own worth. This quote shows the strength of Elizabeth to recognize the wrong that Mr. Darcy had said of her behind her back and know that she is better than what he may believe. Most women at the time may have given in to this man without feeling any sense of pride in themself but Elizabeth shows that she is strong and different than the other women she is speaking to.

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