4. Distinctions of Rank

"My fingers," said Elizabeth , "do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have no the same force or rapitidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I would not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior exectuion"(Chapter 31, pages 171: Peguin Classics).

I have noticed that it is very easy to see the distinctions of rank among people throughout Pride and Prejudice and when I read this passage, I thought that the idea of rank was hidden throughout the words. In the first sentence, Elizabeth talking about her piano playing I feel is also similarily trying to describe her differences among other women in society, and how he doesn't feel as high on the social ladder as many women appear such as Charlotte Lucas and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Elizabeth internally understands that "it is not that [she] doesn't believe [her] fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior exceution," but she knows that she can accomplish what some may think the impossible because she is determined and works hard. I feel like at some times she wants exist on the same social level as Lady Catherine de Bourgh or Mr.Bingley, but she wants to avoid having a arrogant nature like Mr.Darcy. Even though Elizabeth never explicitly reveals in the text that if she were of a higher rank she would have accepted Mr.Darcy's proposal, making their relationship easier so Mr.Darcy won't always be talking about her inferiority. Also, if Elizabeth "practiced" to become a better paino player or someone of higher rank, I think she would have a compeltely different outlook on Darcy as a whole and wouldn't always point out his pompous, arrogant, selfish self. Elizabeth chooses to practice high rank just like she chooses not to practice more on the piano.