Stereotypes In Pride And Prejudice

Social Stereotyping in Pride and Prejudice Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. Usually individuals are grouped into classes based on their economic positions and similar political and economic interests within a culture. In Pride and Prejudice, the upper class is distinct and separate from the middle class. Members of either class tend to stereotype the other class based on first impressions and lack of knowledge. Resistance to accept socially a member of another class causes serious problems in love. Elizabeth and Darcy’s stereotype of another class keeps their love from growing while Lydia and Wickham simply ignore other people’s views in order to be together.
Kneedler believes “Mr. Darcy’s own first movement toward Elizabeth embodies the sexiest view that he is a good catch who has only to choose and be accepted, that no matter how he has insulted any women, she will be happy either to dance with or marry him whenever he can force himself to ask” (3). When Darcy rejects Elizabeth’s offer to dance, she starts to stereotype him as just another snobbish, rich person. Unfortunately, Darcy does nothing to prove her wrong, so her dislike for him grows. Darcy is actually so rude because he is trying to fight his feelings for her. Howard says “Darcy is proud of his social class and is prejudice against the Bennet family’s improper conduct and connections to the working class” (xxvi). Darcy’s admission to himself that he is in love with Elizabeth is almost impossible for him because of her social standing and her
Howard states that “while the Bennet’s can socialize with Bingley and Darcy, they are clearly their social inferiors and are treated as such” (xxxii). Darcy does not approve of the social class that Jane belongs to so he convinces his friend Bingley to leave town. The same problem that keeps Darcy from telling Elizabeth how he feels is also keeping his friend from true love and happiness. Jane is heartbroken by the news but she does not show her feelings. Austen writes, “Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to the rest of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection of the writer, that could giver her any comfort” (133). Jane’s lack of care for social class shows her love for Bingley. She ignores the stereotype placed on the upper class and only cares about being in a happy marriage. Bingley, on the other hand, is easily convinced by Darcy that marrying someone in a lower class would be social