Pride & prejudice isn’t a good ship name.

So, you think you know what love is? Let's carry on with a classic: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, a couple that I grew to loathe as I studied Pride and Prejudice during my junior year literature course.

Allow me to say this: I can’t believe how unfitting these two people are for each other. They’re both headstrong people who are too stubborn for their own good, but somehow Mr. Darcy “compromises” his personality just so he can be with Elizabeth?

Yeah, that’s a red flag.

They met each other, and it was truly hate at first sight. She couldn’t stand him, and he couldn’t imagine being with someone like her. It wasn’t until she visited his house to see her sister, Jane, that she realized what a nice guy Mr. Darcy really is! 

Unfortunately, we never get to see the encounters through Mr. Darcy’s point of view, but what caused his change of heart? Was it because Elizabeth was “not like other girls?” 

As much as Mr. Darcy is a prideful person, I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with that—he wasn’t verbally attacking Elizabeth, but instead kept his distance because he didn’t want to be involved with a family or culture of which he didn’t approve. It was a fair move. 

On the other hand, we have the opinionated Elizabeth Bennet. In the beginning of the novel, I felt super connected to her character; she’s forward, direct, and outspoken. However, as the storyline and novel escalate, they begin compromising their personalities just to be with each other. They’re both extremely unique characters and are the odd ones out in their families. But besides that, it didn’t really seem like there was anything they had in common.

Elizabeth Bennet is often branded as the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice, but in actuality, she doesn’t really go through as much character development as Mr. Darcy. The only explicit and significant change she seems to endure is becoming more open-minded. And I hardly consider that a growth in comparison to Mr. Darcy, who becomes a more accepting, compassionate person, gives a hand to others in need, and learns to be the bigger person.

It also seems like Jane Austen wanted us to know the relationship wouldn’t work out. With a title as blunt as Pride and Prejudice, it’s pretty clear that Darcy and Elizabeth will have issues as a couple. 

I don’t want to be the one to  bash a piece of classic English literature, but as much as I want to respect this staple, I just can’t agree with the fact that this book is being praised for its romance and love.

A healthy relationship includes honest communications and slight behavioral adjustments to better the relationship. However, it felt like Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s relationship was just a bad tumble.

He was filled with pride, and she held prejudice against it—as beautiful as the alliteration is, the relationship reeks of risk.