Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is considered to be a classic novel around the world. Pride and Prejudice is an absolute classic because men and women around the world have appreciated and enjoyed its company since it was first published in 1813. The heroine Ms. Elizabeth Bennet is the physical embodiment of prejudice while Mr. Darcy is considered to be pride. Having two people in a novel so entirely connected to the title, with their personalities reflecting and mirroring each other’s so perfectly, is wonderful. The couple is so perfect for each other they make the novel, and their horrible charade at hating each other, all the more lovable. Thousands will read this novel repeatedly; by the young and the old, it will never go out of style because every girl wants to find someone like Mr. Darcy.
Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel because it can be read time and time again and you will find something new and exciting each and every time. It may be 200 years old but it is still fresh and invigorating. With Austen’s dry humour and wit this novel is both funny and a classic. It’s classic setting and language sets it ahead, as it is something different. Novels today about the 19th century continue to use modern language, and this detracts from the legitimateness of the history.
Jane Austen herself is a classic; her realism and social commentary throughout her books are amusing and very concrete. Jane and her books will never be erased from history, her clever style of writing and romantic characters are imprinted on anyone and everyone who have and ever will read them. Jane was a very bright child born in England in 1775, Jane may have begun writing short stories and poems as early as 1787 for her family’s own personal amusement. Jane’s sense of humour could be found offensive and discouraging to many, but to most her honesty and bluntness, although 200 years old, is quite fresh. In a letter sent to her sister Cassandra in 1811 on the birth of their nephew, she says “I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if he ever comes to be hanged it will not be till we are too old to care about it.” Her confidence in her own writing’s is a sign that she can recognize true talent as can many others, and they will continue to do so. In a letter Jane wrote about her own character Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, “I must confess that I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know.”
Jane is a wonderful author because her own personal beliefs are very clearly portrayed throughout her novels but they are not so potent and overpowering that you feel you are being forced to believe the same, as one of her characters in Pride and Prejudice, Mary, says early in the book, “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” This is easily distinguishable as Austen’s own thought, but is so hidden by the pompus and haughty attitude of Mary Bennet that it is somewhat humourous, not forceful.
In conclusion, Jane Austen and her timeless novel, Pride and Prejudice will never be forgotten they will continue to go down in history and be read and love and enjoyed by many.
