I am reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen which was published in 1813 and has been since a long time favorite and classic of many people.

I believe that a symbol or the symbol of the book is Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth Bennet. The night before Mr. Darcy went to Elizabeth and asked for her hand in marriage to which Elizabeth refused for many different reasons. The next morning he gave her this letter and explained a great deal of why he did such things and of his behavior.

I believe that this is symbolic because it is a turning point in the story where Elizabeth sees Mr. Wickam in a new light and understand why his misfortunes are so great (She accused Mr. Darcy of taking Wickam’s inheritance and what he is owed and reduced him to poverty.)She finally understood that Wickam put himself in that situation and he blamed Darcy for everything. “There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of man; and of late it has been shifting about pretty much. For my part, I am inclined to believe it all Mr. Darcy’s, but you shall do as you chuse.” (Austen, Pride and Prejudice, pg. 217).In this scene Elizabeth is talking to her sister Jane about the Wickam incident, and where we see Elizabeth thinking and saying Darcy is now in a better light.

“I was spoilt by my parents … almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing, to care for none beyond my family circle…” “What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled.”(Austen, Pride and Prejudice, pg. 349). In this scene Darcy is thanking Elizabeth for changing him, and stating that she​ changed him. Although this isn’t directly because of the letter but it is of the same pretense and of that night where he proposed the first time and she told him why she would not marry him. In by wanting to keep her and making her the letter to clarify and helping with Lydia’s running away. He did it for her and by that helping her family.

This is important to the story because this is where they change and begin to see in a better light. They are slowly ridding themselves of their Pride and Prejudices.

Reference

Austen, Jane (1813) ​Pride and Prejudice.