It is not clear whether Elizabeth has any motivation for
anything specific in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her changes
in the story are, as she says herself, "gradual". During the first part of the novel she
seems to be driven by the desire of seeing Jane happily attached to Bingley. Then she
moves on to analyzing the awkward behaviors of her family in public, and to pass
judgement on people: Darcy is a proud man, Miss Bingley is a fake friend, Mr. Wickham is
a poor, tortured man, and Mr. Collins is annoying. All these descriptors come from
Elizabeth's perspective: She has very little motivation for anything, except finding
herself through understanding others.
However, there is a
moment in the novel when we see Elizabeth developing a curiosity and changing her view
of Darcy. It is an interesting moment which also could reveal a hidden motivation
embedded within the novel.
In chapter 43 we find Elizabeth
visiting Pemberly, which is Darcy's estate, for the first time. Somehow, the visit to
this massive, expensive, and gorgeous place "suddenly" eases out her dislike for Darcy.
In fact, she even says that she could have been the mistress of it all! However, Austen
cleverly disguises this tendency in women by pointing out that Lizzie also realized the
good nature of Darcy when she heard his maid say great things about him. Yet, in
Elizabeth's mind, the sight of Pemberly made a HUGE
difference.
As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley
this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long,
was not long enough to determine her feelings toward one in that mansion, and she lay
awake two whole hours endeavoring to make them out. She certainly did not hate
him.
So, the question
is:
Does Austen add the detail of Elizabeth's impression of
Pemberley to convey some sort of indication that such are the tendencies of women? Is
this Elizabeth's sudden motivation? We really will never know. However, the reality is
that Austen does not allot Elizabeth much of a goal, except that of being herself, and
remaining so for good.
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