Chapter 8 of the Cambridge Companion

Chapter 8 of the Cambridge Companion explains how the levels of power and money differ from social classes the characters belong in. In part of the chapter, it explains how Elizabeth finds Mr. Darcy arrogant and pompous and she believes he is this way because of his high level of status. She feels that Mr. Darcy does not tolerate anyone that is below his rank. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen makes power and high class look like a bad thing. This is done by making Mr. Darcy look like the "bad" guy with his arrogance and bad attitude. But in the end, the author of this chapter, Juliet McMaster, explains how Austen uses a Cinderella type ending where the girl finds love with a man well above her financial status.