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In Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, four distinct social classes can be identified.
 * Pride & Prejudice - Social Classes and Their Relation to Today's Society**

The Working Class were the lowest class of the time, and lived in very sub-standard conditions. The conception of the Working Class was due to the Industrial Revolution.

The Tradespeople were of a higher social status than the Working Class, however these tradespeople were very rarely seen in assosication with people belonging to any other social classes.

The "Gentry" was the upper middle class of 19th century Britian. The main characters of Pride & Prejudice, namely the Bennet family, belonged to this class.

Above the Gentry was the Royalty, which were the most wealthy and powerful class. The Royalty were excessively wealthy and did not associate with other classes.

 **Historical Analysis of Pride & Prejudice Characters** Jane Austen’s //Pride and Prejudice// provides an accurate portrayal of the upper-middle class of early 19th century Britain. However, it neglects many issues and social injustices of the time. The novel does not afford time to present concerns of different social classes, such as the struggle of the working class citizens.   It may not provide a whole and true social commentary of all facets of early 19th century Britain, although it’s still a great read!

The portrayal of the gentry by Austin is designed from a realistic viewpoint, and provides several interesting characters that are reminiscent of the time and place in history. Members of the gentry often owned a country estate, as did Mr Bennett. Several other main characters of //Pride & Prejudice// owned or were entailed to estates, namely Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and Mr Lucas.  Many people of the gentry were absorbingly conceited in their demeanour. This 19th century characteristic is personified by the male antagonist of //Pride & Prejudice//, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. The behaviour of Darcy, as well as other characters, also displays a quick judgement and stereotyping of lower classed citizens. These characters did not consider people whom had a reputation below them of any importance. This attitude was common amongst 19th century British, and is a perfect example of the historical truths which may be extracted from //Pride & Prejudice.//  The focal character of the masterpiece, Elizabeth Bennett, is displayed as a very agreeable and admirable character, and accordingly as the quintessential 19th century female. She displays traits such as a handsome appearance, graceful wit, honesty, intelligence, strong will and quick judgement. This character suspends Elizabeth to a ‘heroine’ status, and as such becomes a profile of the epitome of female existence in early 19th century Britain. Elizabeth displays a perfect balance of reason, beauty and emotion, which were very desirable attributes for women of the time. Although Elizabeth Bennett may not be seen as the typical 19th century British female, she is the ideal, and as such reflects accurately Austen’s time and place in history.

and tends to make hasty judgements. || Is invited to many parties and is admired by men. || not know. Does not like to dance. He is intellegant and forthright and quickly to judge. || Not liked by many in Hertfordshire because he is unsocialable and disagreeable. Successful in London, but not with the people in the country. || class differentiation. || Very successful in society he is quick to become liked by everyone and every wants their daughters to marry him. || fondness of her and her being of lower class. She is stuck up and very snobby. || Successful because she is the sister of Mr. Bingley. || Bennet's estate. He brags a lot and is a brownnoser. || Not very successful, he proposal to Elizabeth is rejected and he does not have a lot of money so he focuses on inheriting a nice estate. || attempts to keep Elizabeth away from Darcy. She does not want to socialize with lower classed people. || Successful because she has a lot of money, not because of her attitude and unpleasantry. || past and the people in it to get what he wants. || Seems to be successful and well-liked at first, until later he is found to be an untruthful man with little honor or respect for him. ||
 * Characters || Societal Class || Behavior/Attitudes || Success or not in society ||
 * Elizabeth Bennet || Middle Class || She is clever, enjoys reading, quick witted, honest,
 * Mr. Darcy || Upper Class || Proud, does not like to talk to people he does
 * Mr. Bingley || Upper Class || Agreeable, well-intentioned, does not care about
 * Miss Bingley || Upper Class || Does not like Elizabeth because of Darcy's
 * Mr. Collins || Middle Class || An arrogant, idiotic clergyman who intends to inherit Mr.
 * Lady Catherine deBourgh || Upper Class || A very rich and snobby noblewomen. She is bossy and
 * Mr. Wickham || Middle Class || He is a handsome fortune hunter that lies about his