Pride & Prejudice: 1

     I believe that the confidence of every person fluctuates on a spectrum from pride to insecurity, and that his marker is continually shifting with the ever changing surroundings. Some characters, such as Mr. Darcy, have rarely felt flustered or been humbled because their circumstances have abundantly provided for their constant success. Darcy is intelligent, wealthy, respected, and of high social status. Elizabeth Bennet is the first person to challenge his pride and security. When Elizabeth curtly rejects his marriage proposal, Darcy "seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise" (Austen 162). Darcy is seldom denied anything, and he expected Elizabeth to accept his offer given "his sense of her inferiority" (Austen 161). Lizzy's refusal is shattering not only to Darcy's emotions, but also to his pride. Elizabeth is most likely the first person to ever challenge and lower his sense of self-esteem, making Darcy more fascinated with the woman. Although society deems Elizabeth inferior to Darcy in comparison of wealth and status, Elizabeth has the ability to make Darcy feel inferior. Because Lizzy is able to foil his pride, I predict that her refusal will only strengthen the adoration and love that Darcy feels towards her.
     Elizabeth has a very verbal, opinionated mouth that does not filter any of her controversial thoughts. Mr. Darcy first insults Lizzy's pride at the ball when he describes her as "tolerable" and undeserving of his attention and companionship. From the beginning of the novel, Elizabeth appears to have a very wounded self-esteem, and therefore she lashes out at others in an attempt to disclose her insecurity. After receiving Darcy's letter explaining his side of her accusations, Lizzy realizes that she missed many obvious signs of the lies told by Wickham: "She was now struck with the impropriety of such communications to a stranger, and wondered it had escaped her before" (Austen 176). Darcy originally insults Eliza's pride, and so in retaliation she is biased and prejudiced in all of her assumptions of his character. Although she appears bold and confident, I believe that Elizabeth is very self-conscious about the way that she is perceived by others, especially since she does not conform to the expectations of society. Elizabeth's walls of prejudices are utilized to mask her insecurities, and these characteristics allow her to deteriorate the pride of Darcy. The converse effect that the two characters have on each other strengthens their flirtatious tension and fascination of one another.