Two Types of Pride in Pride and Prejudice In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, there is a stark contrast between the pride shown by the characters Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr Bennet. Austen demonstrates the importance of having the "correct" pride and makes this the main theme throughout the novel. Pride can be considered both an attribute and a flaw. Possessing pride as an attribute means having self-respect, honor and integrity. To consider pride as a flaw means to demonstrate arrogant or disdainful conduct and haughtiness. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy possesses pride as an attribute while Mr. Bennet possesses pride as a flaw. Darcy is responsible for his sister, himself, his property, and his last name. He takes pride in these things and does everything he can to protect them. But Mr. Bennet, who is responsible as the father of five daughters, a husband and the holder of respectable family conduct, is not proud of his family or his responsibility; Mr. Bennet instead ridicules his family members and, in turn, does not control their unruly actions. Darcy, the novel's main male character, has an ancient surname, a magnificent estate, and a considerable fortune that might seem to contribute to his pride. But later in the book we learn that he is a generous master to his servants and tenants and a loving brother to his young sister Georgiana. He is responsible for so much: his sister, his surname and his estate, Pemberley. Although seen as overly proud in a negative way, Charlotte Lucas defends Darcy by saying that a man with his wealth and family background has a right to be proud. Darcy takes great care of his younger sister, Georgiana. Like... in the center of the card... the Arcy family name and he protects it with a hawkish attitude. He takes his responsibility as landowner, brother and master very seriously. On the other hand, Mr. Bennet lets his family do what they want and almost doesn't care. The reputation of the Bennet family is tarnished by the behavior of its members because the head of the family, Mr. Bennet, does not have the pride to protect it. Works cited and consulted: Austen, Jane. Pride and prejudice. Ed. Donald Gray. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1996. Jane Austen information page. Henry's Cemetery. University of Texas, Austin. November 23, 2000. .Poplawski, Paolo. An encyclopedia of Jane Austen. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. Reidhead, Julia, ed. Norton Anthology of English Literature vol. 7, 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000.