In Pride and Prejudice, A usten suggests a proper balance between the conflicting claims of the head and the heart. Discuss.

The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane
Austen suggests a proper balance between the conflicting claims of the head and of the
heart by presenting situations common to the Regency era regarding men, women, and their
dynamics in courtship and marriage.

Through the character
of Elizabeth, Austen proposes that, no matter how limited women are to chose for
themselves, they can still set their own goals and aspire to something that leaves them
fulfilled, and satisfied, as individuals.

Following the
rules of engagement of society not always leads to the best outcome. Therefore, success
in marriage does not depend on a huge heart like Jane's, a great passion like Lydia's, a
good salary like Georgiana's, nor the best intentions, like Charlotte: Success, in every
way, happens when a leveled head looks out for its needs and still has the capacity to
hold big hopes for succeeding. This would be the case of
Elizabeth.

Clearly, Austen sends his message across her
many literary works. Not once will we see a damsel in distress crying out for her prince
charming and living happily ever after. What we find in Austen's heroines are women who
are independent thinkers, free spirited and well-grounded. No matter how many flaws they
have, the one flaw they will never possess is weakness of character, nor feebleness of
mind. That's how Austen balances the conflicts of the heart and the claims of the
brain.