What are some major themes and motifs in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen?

Aside from the dominant themes of pride and
prejudice depicted in the title, there are a few other interesting and
important themes to take note of. Two of these are:
marriage and women's economic
freedom. Charlotte provides a good
illustration of both.

Charlotte is an active character and
has much to say about the theme of marriage: marriage is
more significant than romantic union; happiness in marriage is associated with something
other than love; marriage is a practical way to establish a sound future. Charlotte's
opinions and reasoning ties into women's economic
freedom.

"I
am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering
Mr. Collins's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my
chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the
marriage state."

While some
women could win economic freedom through having money
"settled" on them, protecting it from a husband's ownership; through an inheritance
(until marriage); or through widowhood, most women had no economic independence and were
expected to continue to reside in their father's homes until marriage (which Charlotte
despaired of). Thus, most women's economic freedom--at least from their fathers and
mothers--came only with marriage. This was a compelling reason for Charlotte to marry.
She was older than Elizabeth and less lovely. While some women earned economic freedom
through novel writing, like Ann Radcliff and Fanny Burney, most women had to use their
wits and attractions to gain economic freedom (such as it was) through
marriage.

Some motifs
are:

• balls


• estates


• income


• women's
  income


• militia


• walking


• trees


• books

Estates
form an important motif that is related directly to Elizabeth through the entail. The
two largest are Rosings and Pemberley and these relate directly to the power status
women might hold. Lady de Bourgh, though irritating and pompous, is a woman of great
power. Not only does she independently own great wealth, she has the management of the
entire estate and the village in her personal control (undoubtedly she, like her male
counterparts employs a Steward of the estate, as Darcy does). Everything from
agriculture to medical concerns to domestic problems is in her care: in short, the
happiness and employment of a large community of people is all under her control.

Walking is another motif. The
Bingley ladies disparage Elizabeth for her energetic walk across the fields when Jane is
ill as being beneath a person of breeding and class--upper class, that is. Darcy, on the
other hand, sees that a walk invigorates the health and brings out luster in the
eyes--Elizabeth's eyes, that is. Walks to Meryton are also disparaged with scorn for
flirtations with the Militia. Yet, it is on a walk that Colonel Fitzwilliam tells
Elizabeth that though he would be tempted, he cannot, as a penniless second son, offer
her marriage. It is during walks that Darcy finds Elizabeth to give her his beloved
letter of explanation. It is on a walk that Darcy and Elizabeth reveal their hopes to
each other and come to a loving accord.

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They walked on, without knowing in what
direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any
other objects.