Mah Fav'rit Pryde 'N Prejudise Passage (Dominic Low, 08S205)

'She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. -- Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.

``How despicably have I acted!'' she cried. -- ``I, who have prided myself on my discernment! -- I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity, in useless or blameable distrust. -- How humiliating is this discovery! -- Yet, how just a humiliation! -- Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. -- Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.''

From herself to Jane -- from Jane to Bingley, her thoughts were in a line which soon brought to her recollection that Mr. Darcy's explanation there had appeared very insufficient; and she read it again. Widely different was the effect of a second perusal. -- How could she deny that credit to his assertions, in one instance, which she had been obliged to give in the other? -- He declared himself to have been totally unsuspicious of her sister's attachment; -- and she could not help remembering what Charlotte's opinion had always been. -- Neither could she deny the justice of his description of Jane. -- She felt that Jane's feelings, though fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air and manner not often united with great sensibility.

When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were mentioned, in terms of such mortifying yet merited reproach, her sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly for denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded, as having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers. The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed, but it could not console her for the contempt which had been thus self-attracted by the rest of her family; -- and as she considered that Jane's disappointment had in fact been the work of her nearest relations, and reflected how materially the credit of both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt depressed beyond any thing she had ever known before.

After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every variety of thought; re-considering events, determining probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence made her at length return home; and she entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make her unfit for conversation.' - Chapter XIII of Volume II, Pride and Prejudice

Analysis
This passage follows almost immediately after Elizabeth reads Darcy's letter in Rosings, and primarily emphasises and highlights the underlying theme of irony that pervades most of the chapters in the novel. It also serves as a turning point of the novel, where most of Elizabeth’s perception and attitude towards the other characters in the novel are drastically changed.
The theme of irony is emphasised when Elizabeth realises how her perception of both Darcy and Wickham has been clouded by her emotions all along, even as she prides herself for her reasoning, and hence, her apparent objective judgement of others. This can be seen from how she feels that she ‘had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd’ and to ‘have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away’. The irony of previous event s (in which Elizabeth’s actions were greatly influenced by her emotionally-warped perspective of others, e.g. Darcy and Wickham) is also collected at this point in the novel and laid bare for the protagonist (Elizabeth) to see, when Elizabeth reflects and finally realises how blind and prejudiced she had been. This further emphasises the irony prevalent in the novel, as there is the culmination of the dramatic irony accumulated via Elizabeth’s apparent revelation of her past actions which simultaneously brings out as well as enhances the sense of irony at this point in the novel.
The passage also serves as a pivot in the novel, whereby Elizabeth changes her viewpoint of Darcy and Wickham. This is evident from her later actions in the novel (i.e. after this passage) where she begins to feel compassionate for Darcy and eventually fall in love with him, as well as the how she distances herself from Wickham. In contrast to her earlier actions and attitudes towards the two characters in the earlier part of the novel, Elizabeth’s perception seems to take an almost reverse direction, which makes this passage not only an obvious but strong plot pivot, but also a foundation in the build-up to the climax of the novel (where Elizabeth declares her love for Darcy).
In conclusion, the passage emphasises on the theme of irony that pervades the entire novel. It also acts as a turning point and a foundation to the climax of the novel. And that’s why I prefer this passage the most of all.