Hannah Jacob

Ms. Jeon
ENG 3U1
January 7,2017

ISU Essay

When I look at a person, I see a person - not a rank, not a class, not a title by Criss
Jami. This quote did not ring true in the setting of the three books that are being discussed.
However, in the end each of the characters were able to overcome the social status of their
original setting to become what they desired. Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel by Jane
Austen. The name suggests the difficulties faced by the main characters Elizabeth and Darcy in
eventually realizing their love. In Memoirs of Geisha by Arthur Golden, the main character
Chiyo overcomes her poverty stricken childhood to become a renowned Geisha. Also in the third
book He Drown She in the Sea by Shani Mootoo describes the long journey of Harry the son of a
laundress and his unrequited love for Rose the daughter of a wealthy man. Each of the star
characters had their own personal goal that they strived to obtain. They were of slightly lower
class than the privileged class. They had to overcome the social barriers to obtain their personal
goal. Overcoming lower social status is a major factor towards attaining ones personal goals.

Each of the characters have different personal goals. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth
was determined to be different from her sisters and wanted to do what she thought was right. She
was not willing to marry anybody of higher status just because she had to be married. When

Darcy proposed to Elizabeth, she refused to accept him because she disliked his pride and the
feeling of superiority over those of lower social status. Elizabeth said to Darcy, I have every
reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you
acted here (Austen 178). Elizabeth refused Darcys proposal because he had persuaded his
friend Bingley from marrying her sister Jane as they were not suited socially. In He drowns She
in Sea, Harrys goal was to marry his childhood friend whom he loved named Rose. They had
become separated in childhood due to their different financial backgrounds, but Harry advances
in his financial status in adulthood and then tries to win Rose again, even though they each had
other partners. In Memoirs of Geisha, the main character Chiyo wanted to be a successful
Geisha. This story shows how she struggled from the time she was a poor, ill-treated girl to
becoming a successful and a powerful geisha, overcoming many difficulties including rivalries
and jealousies. In conclusion the main characters strived in their own way to get to their goal.

Each of the characters were of slightly lower class than the privileged class. In Pride and
Prejudice, Elizabeth is from a family of moderate income compared to Darcy. Mr. Bennet, the
father of Elizabeth had a property that was worth only two thousand a year while Mr. Darcy, was
said to be worth ten thousand in a year. Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large
fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!, said Mrs. Bennet (Austen
9). Mrs. Bennet is convincing her husband that Mr. Bingley, friend of Darcy who are of the same
social status to be most eligible for their oldest daughter Jane who is Elizabeths sister. In He
Drowns She in the Sea, Harry is the son of their housekeeper whereas to Rose who is the
daughter of a wealthy man. In Memoirs of Geisha, Chiyo was a maid in the geisha house as

opposed to an actual Geisha with powers and influence. Therefore, the lower social status of
these characters act as a hindrance initially in realizing their dream and potential.

These characters overcame their social difficulties through perseverance and

determination to attain their personal goal. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth continued to be
strong in her opinions and did not bow down to the pressures of society in marrying any suitor
with money. For example, when Collins expressed his desire to marry she was adamant about not
marrying him because she did not have any feelings for him. She was willing to wait for true
love than marry for money and social status. Elizabeth had to overcome all the obstacles such as
a hopeless mother, a distant father, two badly behaved younger siblings, and several snobbish,
antagonizing females. She also had to overcome her own mistaken impressions of Darcy, which
initially lead her to reject his proposals of marriage. As she gradually comes to recognize the
nobility of Darcys character, she realizes the error of her initial prejudice against him. Elizabeth
said to her father, I do, I do like him. I love him. Indeed, he has no improper pride. He is
perfectly amiable (Austen 340). Elizabeth convinced her father that Darcy was the person that
she loved and was happy to accept his proposal for marriage the second time. In He Drown She
in the Sea Harry was not able to realise his love for Rose initially, mainly because of their
difference in social status. But he rose to the same status later in life by studying and working
hard and having his own business. Hence, by overcoming his financial and social disadvantage
attaining Rose was much easier. In Memoirs of Geisha, Chiyo, rose in status from being a poor
and helpless maid to become a powerful and respected Geisha. She never gave up on her dream
of becoming a Geisha even when she as cheated and betrayed by her adversaries. She stayed

strong and patient till the right opportunity came. Therefore, each of these characters, overcame
their disadvantages of social status by their strength of character.

In conclusion all three books are in a setting where the main characters are at a
disadvantage due to their social status and overcoming this barrier is a major factor towards
attaining each of their personal goals. The goals of each main character is different. They were
all born into a slightly lower class compared to the privileged class. Each of them attained their
goals by persevering and through determination. Any specific goal in life should be pursued
regardless of whatever the situation.