By Jennifer Zhang
Pride and Prejudice is my favourite romance fiction, and I think part of its lasting influence comes from unforgettable characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. They’re so vivid, so well-drawn, that they leave a lasting impression. In my opinion, Elizabeth and Darcy are icons of independence, wisdom, and romance.
Pride and Prejudice, one of Jane Austen’s most famous novels, has continued to have an ongoing impact for more than 200 years. It’s not just a fairy-tale romance—it’s grounded in reality. The characters face real-life challenges, and through those they develop mutual respect and understanding. Elizabeth and Darcy grow individually, but also together, learning to navigate their differences. In many ways, that’s why the novel’s themes of gender equality, social class and marriage autonomy are so applicable today.
The novel puts forward a pioneering proposition in 19th century Britain; that is, a wife is not an appendage of her husband, and she does not need to satisfy her him by being obedient in marriage. Austen expressed her own views on love through the protagonists’ voices in the book. She proposed a sense of equality in a relationship, independence between partners who face challenges and deal with difficulties together. Even though Elizabeth and Darcy grew up in very different backgrounds, they work together to cope with communication difficulties and actively resolve real-life problems, enhancing their connection and understanding with each other. These actions promote a sense of comfort, happiness, and stability in a committed relationship.
Austen shows us that love isn’t just about romance—it’s about growth, mutual respect, and overcoming obstacles together. The struggles people face in love and marriage—finding balance, respect, and equality—mirror what she wrote about. The book continues to be reinterpreted through films, TV shows, and even modern retellings, which proves its relevance hasn’t faded.
Moreover, its influence is not only evident in the realm of literature but also permeates many aspects of contemporary culture and social values. It is interesting that even in the 21st century we can still see similar values and contexts as in the 19th century in love and marriage. Austen encourages young people to look for love bravely while focusing on independence and mutual respect in a relationship. These are ideas beyond time.
In my opinion, the book is such an empowering romance. Even though the story is over 200 years old, its themes are still practical and relevant today. This advanced thought transcends time and the ideological concepts of that era. I believe that is why we see so many reinterpretations of it, whether in movies, TV series, or even stage productions. It keeps reaching new generations of readers and viewers.
Jennifer Tangqing Zhang (she/her) is a Creative Writing student at QUT. Before coming to Brisbane, she studied in various locations including Guangzhou, California and Sydney. Her diverse educational background allows her to see social situations from many perspectives. Her writing usually focuses on reviews of classic fiction or social conditions. Her hobbies are reading, writing, meeting new people, and going to the gym.
