An important theme in the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is the idea of overcoming ones pride and prejudice towards others. Throughout the novel, the main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, are faced with many issues and struggles surrounding their pride and prejudice towards others as well as each other. As the novel progresses, they both come to terms with these issues and learn to accept each other beyond their pride and prejudice.
At the beginning of the novel the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is set on their first impressions of each other at Netherfield Hall. On their introduction by Mr Bingley, Darcy's behaviour is proud and unsociable. He is rude to Elizabeth and finds Mrs Bennet's behaviour embarrassing. This sets Darcy's prejudiced view of Elizabeth and her family. Mr Bingley's insistence that Darcy should dance with Elizabeth and Darcy's firm refusal, along with his comment "She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me", suggests to Elizabeth that Darcy is much too proud to engage with those of lower social status. Darcy's poor treatment of Elizabeth offends her natural pride; therefore she is quick to judge his character by appearance: "forbidding, disagreeable countenance". This in effect, prejudices her against him.
As the novel progresses Elizabeth's complete prejudice towards Darcy is revealed, when she encounters an old acquaintance of Mr Darcy. Mr Wickham, a regiment, deceives Elizabeth, her family and the neighbourhood into thinking he is a well-mannered and honest character. Elizabeth, unknown to Mr Wickham's true character, is taken by him. She instantly believes his story about the injustice he suffered at the hands of Darcy. She takes no time to doubt Mr Wickham's allegations of cruelty. Because Elizabeth dislikes Darcy's pride "his pride, his abominable pride", her prejudice against Darcy blunts her judgement of Mr Wickham's and Darcy's true characters.
