Wealth and Class Theme - P & P

Interestingly, although Pride and Prejudice does highlight the class divides within the upper class, there are no lower-class people (other than some housemaids or housekeepers such as Mrs Hill, arguably) present - or at least with major parts

Austen's time was during the Regency period, where reputation was fragile and people were expected to adhere to the class norms - for example, many people in the upper class would keep their wealth within the family by marrying cousins (something that Lady Catherine encouraged, with her daughter and Mr Darcy her nephew).

The gentlemen were some of the highest in the class system, often known as the 'landed gentry' because they got their wealth from inherited land that had been passed down through generations. Their income is from having the land worked - they do not do any physical labour themselves. 

Mr Bingley and his sisters are part of the nouveau rich - their money has only been in the familiy for a generation or so, and it was aquired through trade, not land - this places them below the gentry. Knowing Mr Darcy has made them a lot higher though, due to connections

'they were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of themselves'

- the two women are proud, and believe that they are superior to others. The importance of connections is shown in this, as they know people of 'rank' (ie Mr Darcy), which means that they behave like social climbers

He made a good impression with his 'fine countenance, noble mein, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes of him entering the room of his having ten thousand pounds a year'

- this shows that people are easily influenced by wealth, and become prejudiced based on it; this is how important it was in Regency society

'a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world'

'are the shades of Pemberly to be thus polluted?'

'it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife'

Darcy says later 'it must materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any importance in the world' - these 'men of any importance' are people with money and status, so personality, etc are not valued necessarily

For Charlotte Lucas, marriage is 'the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune' - 'small fortune' is likely to refer to money rather than lack of luck/chance. Although the daughter of a knighted man, Charlotte needs money to survive, and at the time unmarried women would have been dependent on their brothers (family)

When Lizzy tells her mother of her enagagement to Mr Darcy, Mrs Bennet immediately focuses on the financially advantageous aspect of the match, not her daughter's happiness - 'oh how rich and great you will be!'