P&P - CH. 1-6

"'If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield,' said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, 'and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for'" (Austen 5).
"A person may be proud without being vain" (14).

At the commencement of the novel, we see the obsessive nature of Mrs. Bennet. She excessively speaks of her daughters being married to wealthy men. The idea of seeing her daughters happily married to an affluent gentleman evokes a sense of happiness within her. Contrary to Mr. Bennet, this is the only thing that concerns Mrs. Bennet, thus it being the sole source of her happiness. Mr. Bingley is introduced and becomes the romantic interest of Jane, hence making Mrs. Bennet jubilant. Also introduced is Mr. Darcy who is wealthy but is not particularly favored by many, including Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Darcy is depicted as haughty as he condescends the women he meet at the assembly. Many accept the fact that Mr. Darcy should be proud of his established wealth, however they disagree with his vanity.