Topic > The Role of Walks in Pride and Prejudice

Many say that walks bring out emotions that wouldn't otherwise be felt. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen creates walks to portray the characters' emotions and revelations. When examining the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, walks are important places. When Elizabeth trudges through the mud and dirt to Netherfield, during the famous mud walk, she arouses Darcy's curiosity and affection. Three walks following the one with the muddy skirt are vital to the growth of Darcy and Elizabeth's affection. Austen invents these three walks, which follow Darcy's proposal, to dramatize the different phases of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. In these three walks Elizabeth is able to admit her past prejudices, to see and understand Darcy's character and, finally, to share her feelings towards him with Darcy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The walk in which Elizabeth receives Darcy's letter of explanation and apology marks an important revelation of Elizabeth's character. Darcy's letter contains his intentions to separate Jane and Mr. Bingley, as well as the full story of him and Mr. Wickham. After receiving the letter, Elizabeth becomes curious. He finds himself "studying every sentence: and his feelings towards whoever wrote it were sometimes very different" (140). Elizabeth immediately realizes that she was too hasty in judging Mr. Darcy's character. After reading the letter she states that she is “ashamed of herself. -She could think of Darcy, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd” (137). Ultimately, Elizabeth discovers that she is susceptible to error. Once she is able to accept her past mistake, Elizabeth begins to develop a subconscious love for Darcy. Elizabeth states, “His attachment aroused gratitude, his general character respect” (140). Darcy's letter forces Elizabeth to break the prejudices that once prevented her from seeing Darcy's positive characteristics. This process results in a new level of maturity for Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth's mistaken prejudice emerges, she is able to overcome it and see Darcy in a new light. Elizabeth's stay at Pemberley allows Austen to develop a scene in which Elizabeth is able to see Darcy's physical and emotional characteristics. Austen creates the second walk at Pemberley to provide further evidence of Darcy's ability to charm others, especially Elizabeth. After receiving Darcy's letter of explanation and apology, Elizabeth describes her emotions as too complicated for her liking. From that moment on “they proceeded in silence; each of them immersed in their thoughts. Elizabeth was not at ease” (167). However, during this walk, Elizabeth manages to overcome her embarrassment and experience Darcy's charm. After Darcy speaks eloquently to Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, Elizabeth is "astonished at the change in his manners since they were last parted, and every sentence he uttered was increasing her embarrassment" (163) . For the first time in her life, Elizabeth doesn't know how to respond. Because of her confused emotions towards Darcy, Elizabeth is “the most uncomfortable in her life” (163). Although she is unable to express her feelings directly to Darcy, Elizabeth begins to adapt her previous prejudices. Elizabeth admits what she perceives as a change in Darcy's behavior when she says “Why is he so altered? What can it proceed from? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for me that his ways are so softened” (166). Once Elizabeth realizes the change in the.