Before we dive into today’s topic let’s address the elephant in the room; Although most English classic literary works are regarded as masterpieces and part of the canon by the general public, some readers nowadays consider these books as outdated and perhaps not as relevant as we have been made to believe.
I personally consider there is merit in both opinions. On one side, a lot of the books regarded as classics do deserve the recognition they deserve as they discuss and portray timeless issues and topics, we also gain a deeper understanding of other times and societies through them. On the other hand, I recognize that some books considered ‘classics’ are quite blatant in their depictions of subjects such as; racism, sexism, homophobia, sexual abuse, etc. I do believe that this negatively affects their literary value and it is necessary to critically think about the kind of books we give merit to.
Nevertheless, today I’ve decided to talk about a classic book I consider wholeheartedly deserving of recognition; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
In my opinion, Jane Austen is one of the most talented and accomplished writers in history.
She manages to create comedic, yet authentic and profound characters and plots, all while creating a piece that holds social commentary and criticism on the struggles of her time -most of which are actually contemporary-
Pride and Prejudice is one of her most well-known works because it contains all of the elements that make her books outstanding.
This novel relates the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman who must navigate the struggles of love, station, and family and her love interest, Mr. Darcy.
Throughout the book we also meet the rest of the Bennet sisters, their parents, Mr.Darcy’s friends; Charles Bingley, and his sisters; as their own stories develop.
Although it may seem cliché, my favorite character in this book is the protagonist; Elizabeth Bennet. Her character depicts a heroine unique to the time in which this novel was written. She is unashamed of her family or their station, she is strong in her convictions and puts her family and their happiness above all else.
Elizabeth completely goes against the expectations of society for a lady; She refuses to marry if not for love and she refuses to love if not to marry, she does not care for the social station of others, she’s also proud of and acknowledges her own intelligence.
Being able to see such a strong character within the context of her time is truly inspiring as it depicts the importance of not only being true to yourself but also the importance of fighting for the things that are important to you, in this case; Love and family.
I would genuinely encourage anyone who enjoys literature to give this book a read. Even though I understand why some would not want to give classics a chance, I can promise that this novel is worth every compliment that it is given. Furthermore, I would also recommend that you give the on-screen adaptations of this book a chance; Pride and Prejudice Mini Series (1995) and Pride and Prejudice Movie (2005).