Prelude To Drama

As I begin reading my way through Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice, a critique about society begins to take form in my mind: a critique applicable today.Even in the first few pages the novel demonstrates a superficial take on the purpose of life. The novel depicts high class as an empty group of individuals as they prize "fortune." As the characters participate in a battle for the best match they demonstrate some animal behavior, that primitive human instinct which pushes us to selfish acting. Even amongst sisters, the Bennets are host to much rivalry between themselves.It is not enough to have as a family, but individual preferences creates opinions on who should hold said assets.

As the parents begin to assign Mr. Bingley to one of their daughters without as much as being introduced, preferences emerge. They describe the girls in their discussion, but beyond that they describe their character and define that which they prize the most. Mr. Bennet gives some priority to beauty and appearance, while Mr. Bennet holds quickness of mind in higher esteem. Each of them has a preference, but it is his "always giving her the preference" which is questioned (2). Mr. Bennet emerges as a representation of freedom of thought aloof such tense society. He accepts its course and toils not in changing it, but through his mild sarcasm he demonstrates a different train of thought.

I am uncertain about my expectations. I foresee an interpretation of social customs which transcend time along a story of romance and envy. It seems to be a soap opera for the enlightened, if I dare say. The elements of society are merely represented for us to interpret. An interpretation so obvious as it is fed to us line by line, and yet so complex that the novel goes beyond what it seems. It is not much different, then, that which the Bennets thought of Mr. Bengley from what I begin to associate with the novel.