The brutality of prejudice in Pride and PrejudiceThe passage that best tells the theme of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, is found on page 125, in the center of book page. It is here that Mr. Darcy proposes marriage to Elizabeth and informs her of the inferiority of his family and his connections. This passage is significant because it is one of the few moments in which the characters openly acknowledge that the sole purpose of a person's life is to achieve a high salary and high social position. It is evident from every point in the story that all the people care about is getting married to a member of a higher social rank. And even for those who are comfortable with their current status, it is imperative to only marry someone of at least equivalent status. This idea possesses every character in the story and seems to motivate every action taken. The superficiality of this idea goes so far as to break the bonds of love. Darcy is willing to insult a girl while proposing to her, only to inform her of what she must go through to lower herself to someone of his level. Regardless of what his chances of acceptance were, Darcy was still targeting a girl who barely knows him and actually hates him. This is not a situation where insults are likely to get results. This point is compounded by the fact that Elizabeth feels only slightly offended by this comment. Her initial rejection of Darcy was based almost entirely on her actions towards Jane and Bingley's relationship and her treatment of Mr Wickham. However, she is barely troubled by this comment from Darcy regarding her family. This is so strange because one would expect Elizabeth to be equally mad about personal insults and what was done to others. Pride and Prejudice ends with Elizabeth and Darcy overcoming their anger at each other and falling in love. However, this touching scene is ruined by the appearance of Lady Catherine. He asks Elizabeth to marry Darcy and tells Darcy that it would reflect badly on his family if he married someone as "low class" as Elizabeth..