Central idea of Pride and Prejudice?

Answer 1

Prejudice is a problem for Lizzy, who has been set against Darcy by something she heard him say in an unguarded moment, and is unwilling to see him in any other light than the one she casts on him herself until she reads his letter at Hunsford.

Prejudice is also a theme for Darcy, who is unwilling to make new friends. He gets over this because he falls in love with Lizzy. But the character of Darcy is more about pride, hence the title of the book.

Answer 2

First and formost, pride and prejudice.As the quote goes "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Marriage is the important idea in Pride and Prejudice. Besides, there's social status, love and relationship, societal behaviour, roles and responsibilities etc.

Answer 3

All of Jane Austen's novels have love and marriage as central themes. But there are other important themes in Pride and Prejudice.

As you might expect, pride is one, and it is examined from the point of view that sometimes it is useful, and sometimes it is wrong. Darcy's family pride makes him resist falling in love with Lizzy. It also causes him to be reflective and consider his own faults, which we see in its effects rather than watching the process.

And, as you might expect, prejudice is another. Time and time again, Lizzy sees reason to doubt her first impressions of Darcy, only to reject them because of her prejudice.

There are a number of other themes. One deals with human worth and quality. Clearly, the wealthy families are no better than the less wealthy in this novel. Mrs. Bennet's folly is reflected in the character of the wealthier and, presumably, better bred Lady Catherine. The scandal that visited the Bennet family is precisely the same scandal that was prevented from being visited on Darcy's only by chance.

Another theme that runs through the book is missed communications. Both Lizzy and Darcy err in this manner, and Darcy even comments on it as related to his pride. But there were times they could have said things that would have made life easier. Lizzy could have been more open with her father about why Bingley seemed no longer interested in Jane, which was partly Lydia's wild behaviour; if she had, perhaps he would not have allowed Lydia to go to Brighton. Darcy could have told Lizzy he hoped to see her again under happier circumstances, before she left Lambton; if he had she would have been less tortured in her thoughts.

Hypocrisy is a theme, perhaps. It is evident in Caroline Bingley, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine, and possibly everyone else to some degree.

But one theme that is very important in this and other Austen novels is the situation of well bred young women in England of that time. They could not get good jobs to provide for themselves; perhaps the best available is as a governess (which Jane Fairfax compares to slavery in Emma). They needed money to attract mates, and were valued according to the income their wealth would provide. The available mates were few and far between because the male population was badly reduced by war (a fact not explicit in Austen's writing, but perhaps implied by the comments about there not being enough men at balls). An unhappy alternative, into which many young women fell, was poverty stricken spinsterhood, a situation that terrifies Mrs. Bennet.

No doubt there are more, and this answer can be improved by another contributer.
love, women's reputation in society, and marriage

Answer 4

It's one of the most famous opening lines of any work of literature.

It pretty much introduces the situation (the arrival of Mr. Bingley to Netherfield) which sets the novel in motion. the entire plot is about the pursuit of single men "of good fortune" by various female characters.

It is ironic as well because a wealthy single man doesn't necessarily need a wife; it is the non so wealthy females that are in want of wealthy husbands. The preoccupation with socially advantageous marriage in nineteenth-century English society manifests itself in this line, setting up the setting (time and place) as well.

Answer 5

Probably the most important single theme of Pride and Prejudice is the question of who one should marry and why.

There is a link below to a related question on the themes of Pride and Prejudice.

Answer 6

The central idea of Pride and Prejudice is the exploration of societal expectations, class distinctions, and the complications of romantic relationships. Through the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the novel examines themes of love, prejudice, and personal growth.

Answer 7

Pride and Prejudice. Exactly as the title states.

Answer 8

Life is bitterly humorous.