blog




  • Essay / The Role of Walks in Pride and Prejudice

    Many say that walks bring out emotions that would not otherwise be felt. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen creates walks to describe the characters' emotions and revelations. When examining Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship, walks are important locations. When Elizabeth trudges through the mud and dirt to Netherfield on the famous muddy walk, she arouses Darcy's curiosity and affection. Three walks after the muddy skirt walk are vital to developing Darcy and Elizabeth's affection. Austen invents these three walks, which follow Darcy's proposal, to depict the different stages of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. During these three walks, Elizabeth is able to admit her past prejudices, see and understand Darcy's character, and finally share with Darcy her feelings toward him. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The walk where Elizabeth receives Darcy's letter of explanation and apology marks an important revelation of Elizabeth's character. Darcy's letter contains his intentions to separate Jane and Mr. Bingley, as well as the full story of himself and Mr. Wickham. After receiving the letter, Elizabeth becomes curious. She finds herself “studying each sentence: and her feelings toward its author were sometimes very different” (140). Elizabeth soon realizes that she has judged Mr. Darcy's character too quickly. She said after reading the letter that she was “ashamed of herself.” -Of Darcy she could think, without having the feeling of having been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd” (137). In the end, Elizabeth discovers that she is likely to be wrong. Once she is able to accept her past mistake, Elizabeth begins to develop a subconscious love for Darcy. Elizabeth states: “His attachment aroused gratitude, his general character respect” (140). Darcy's letter forces Elizabeth to break away from the prejudices that once prevented her from seeing Darcy's positive characteristics. This process results in Elizabeth's new level of maturity. Once Elizabeth's misguided prejudices surface, she is able to move past them and see Darcy in a new light. Elizabeth's stay at Pemberley allows Austen to develop a scene in which Elizabeth is able to see Darcy's physical and emotional characteristics. Austen creates the second walk at Pemberley to give further proof of Darcy's ability to charm others, especially Elizabeth. After receiving Darcy's letter of explanation and apology, Elizabeth describes her emotions as too complicated for her taste. From that moment on, “they walked in silence; each of them immersed in their thoughts. Elizabeth was not at ease” (167). However, during this walk, Elizabeth manages to overcome her embarrassment and feel Darcy's charm. After Darcy speaks eloquently to Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, Elizabeth is "amazed at the change in his manner since their last separation, and every sentence he uttered increased her embarrassment" (163). For the first time in her life, Elizabeth doesn't know how to react. Because of her confused emotions toward Darcy, Elizabeth is “the most uncomfortable she has ever been” (163). Although she is unable to express her feelings directly to Darcy, Elizabeth begins to adjust her previous prejudices. Elizabeth admits to what she perceives as a change in Darcy's behavior when she says, "Why is he so changed?" What can it come from? It can't be for me, it can't be for.