"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." (Austen, 1) This first sentence of the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most famous opening lines in literature. This phrase not only offers a miniature sketch of the entire plot, but also relates to the main characters of this cherished love story. The reader also learns that females too feel a desire for a spouse. The many women introduced in the novel thus far are all generally ambitions to marry.
             There are many emerging themes in this novel which can all be related to life in the present day. The theme of the reputation and the role of women in the early 1800s is a dominant idea of this novel. The society of this time period looked upon a woman's reputation of being extremely important and they were all expected to behave in certain ways. This is evident when Elizabeth decides to walk to Netherfield to visit her ill sister, and is frowned upon by the reputation-conscience and very proud Miss Bingley for arriving with a dirty skirt and stockings. The theme of social status is related to reputation and depicts life for the middle and upper classes in England. There is a very clear line drawn between the middle class Bennets and the superior Bingleys and Darcys. Even though the Bennet daughters socialize with the accomplished families at Netherfield, they are still treated as social inferiors.
             Mr. Darcy gives a terrible first impression of himself, and is visualized as a very proud, arrogant and conceited man who believes himself to be far superior to everyone else in the room. It is ironic, however, that even though Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth at their first meeting at Bingley's ball, he still has a fascination with her. Perhaps Mr. Darcy is just too concerned with his reputation to let anyone know that his heart has been captured by such an unwo...