The document provides a summary of key events and themes in Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" as they relate to Marxist theory. It discusses how the novel explores the struggles of the lower and working classes in 18th century British society, where social class strongly influenced people's lives and opportunities. Specific examples are given of how characters like Elizabeth Bennet face challenges and prejudices due to their inferior social status compared to wealthy aristocrats like Mr. Darcy. While Darcy and Elizabeth come to love each other, their differing social classes initially prevent their union and cause conflict and misunderstanding between them. The document concludes that the novel provides an excellent demonstration of Marxist ideas about social class structures and the imbalances of

2. Written in 1813 by jane Austen, “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the
most famous classics and one of Jane Austen famous books. Back
then being a women in society you were considered an object and your
one goal in life was to marry a man with money and a humble abode.
For elizabeth she wanted to marry for love and not money. Darcy
came from a upper class family and Elizabeth was born into a lower
class family. Elizabeth swore to loathe Darcy and Darcy misjudged
lizzy, they both challenged and underestimated each other. Suddenly
then Darcy found himself in love with lizzy and he tried to give
himself reasons not to love her, a major one is her lack of fortune
and position in life. It all revolves around both of their positions in
life. Also how both of them have pride (darcy more) and both have
prejudice against each other.

3. What is the marxist
theory?
The marxist theory is formed from beliefs of economic, social,
and politics . Created by Karl Marx, who was a german
scholar, histrotian, and journalist. He believed that as long
as capitalism existed so does inequality and oppression against
the lower classes. He believed that class structures could be
destroyed only if the working class rose up to the dominant
class. People born into a better social class have more of an
advantage to become successful, than those born into lower
social classes. It’s also about the struggles that the lower and
working class face. They are seen as weak and people that
have no respect. People in superior or upper classes have more
privilege than those in a low class.

4. How do characters from different social class interact or conflict?
In chapter 56 page 338, Lady catherine De Burg went to elizabeth's house to
confront her about the rumor spreading about Darcy's proposal to elizabeth.
Lady Catherine insults Elizabeth in every way she possibly can. “ Heaven and
earth!--of what are you thinking? Are the shades of pemberley to be thus
polluted? “ This is one of the insults Lady Catherine made to Lizzy and she was
referring to Lizzy’s position in life. She saw lizzy position in life as a type of
disease or bad chemical that would fill pemberley, which was darcy’s home. She
thought that if Darcy married elizabeth the place would be filled or
“contaminated” with people of low class and lizzy would be the one to bring
them in. This really created a conflict and since lady catherine was of a higher
rank then elizabeth, she had more power and could in a way destroy lizzy's
reputation with this.

5. How is a character's experience different because of their
social class?
In chapter 34 page 188, Mr. Darcy had proposed marriage to Elizabeth,
after Lizzy ( Elizabeth ) had found out a shocking revelation about Darcy’s
action in the past. She politely said no and with little civility Darcy asked
“why”, which lead them to exchange some hurtful words to each other.
“Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To
congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so
decidedly beneath my own.” Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth but he
wasn’t so happy with the state of her social class, which is one of the
reason he gave himself as to not marry Elizabeth.
Elizabeth being inferior has to face many challenges, one of them being the
lack and want of better acquaintances. With her position in life, she really
can’t do anything to get better acquaintances. This also shows us that
being in a lower class you are treated as less and you struggle to become
involved with the wealthy people. Having connections back then meant
everything and it was one of the many attributes that men looked at while
choosing a wife.
How is a character's experience different because of their
social class?
In chapter 34 page 188, Mr. Darcy had proposed marriage to Elizabeth,
after Lizzy ( Elizabeth ) had found out a shocking revelation about Darcy’s
action in the past. She politely said no and with little civility Darcy asked
“why”, which lead them to exchange some hurtful words to each other. “ Could
you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratulate
myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath
my own.” Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth but he wasn’t so happy with the
state of her social class, which is one of the reason he gave himself as to not
marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth being inferior has to face many challenges, one of
them being the lack and want of better acquaintances. With her position in
life, she really can’t do anything to get better acquaintances. This also shows
us that being in a lower class you are treated as less and you struggle to
become involved with the wealthy people. Having connections back then meant
everything and it was one of the many attributes that men looked at while
choosing a wife. Being superior and privileged meant everything when it came
down to marriage, a women of inferior birth couldn’t marry someone who was
in the upper class.

6. Who has the power?
In chapter 1 page 1, the books opens up talking about marriage and how
a single man with good money, property, and land must be in want of a
wife. “ It is a truth universally acknowledged , that a single man in
possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Back then the
main purpose in life was to marry someone who is in your social status
and can you provide you with health and happiness. So in pride and
prejudice the Wealthier had the power. They have the money which is
needed to get any suitable women. All women wanted back then was
someone who had a beautiful home that they can take care of and
someone with a big amount of money. That way they can provide for
them. Even in today's society people with money have an advantage and
the advantage back the was finding a wife quicker and leading a happier
life because money equals happiness.

7. Conclusion
Pride and prejudice is one of the best examples of the marxist theory. It demonstrates
the struggle of being in a lower class and the struggles of falling in love with someone
who is in a lower class. Darcy had to put aside lizzy’s position in life and he went
against everything he believed , people’s judgement, and even his own judgement just
because he loved lizzy. Even though darcy knew he and elizabeth weren’t equal he
treated her as equal because he didn’t see her as less of a person just because of her
social class. People who were in a lower class were “inferior” and were treated as less
and some people didn’t even pity them. They were seen as this contamination to society,
and they didn’t have the same privilege as the superior people. Wealthier people didn’t
even want to be seen in society with lower and working class people. They even held
different balls (Private and Public) for them not to interact and if you were invited to
a private ball you were lucky. Even the people who worked more than the upper class
were still considered less. Even in today's society we see this. Their is always going to be
a pyramid that classifies people as superior, middle, working, and lower class. It’s all
based on money and your position in life.

8. Sources:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/literary_theory_and_schools_o
f_criticism/marxist_criticism.html
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1017&context=honorsprojects
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:345043/FULLTEXT01.pdf
https://www.canva.com/design/DAETbRRsJVw/QLm3ioFGV2XceNp-
eXCCJA/view?utm_content=DAETbRRsJVw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source
=publishsharelink

9. Favorite Quotes:
“Most Ardently”
“You have bewitched me body and soul”
“Oh what are men compared to rocks and mountains”