Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen centers on characters who gain self-awareness and knowledge or possess none. Happiness is found even when one has no understanding of individuality, but the happiest and most contented people in the novel are those who have self-knowledge. People who possess self-knowledge understand their strengths and weaknesses, and characters who gain self-knowledge are able to decipher these characteristics and act accordingly. As marriage was considered a great achievement for women in their society, happiness in Pride and Prejudice depends on whether one is happy or unhappy in their marriage. Lydia, Mr. WIckham, and Lady Catherine de Bourg have no self-awareness and are unhappy in the novel. . The marriage of Lydia and Mr. Wickham is one of the unhappy marriages. Mr. Wickham and Lydia are both very similar and are both unaware of each other's faults; They are both careless with money and see no problem in asking their loved ones for money. Lydia, as the youngest daughter, is used to other people caring for her and she is dependent on others. Lydia's lack of awareness doesn't affect her much; she is happy and claims she loves Wickham. She likes him very much but he doesn't like her and quickly loses interest: “Wickham's affection for Lydia was exactly what Elizabeth expected to find; not equal to Lydia's for him. Lady Catherine de Bourg has no knowledge of herself. She is full of herself and sees herself very high; it is obvious that she lacks self-knowledge. She makes discourteous comments about others without considering their opinions and she also makes comments about how she views herself. Lady Catherine de Bourg is unhappy because she is disappointed...... middle of paper...... judgment and realizes her faults which she develops towards Darcy and then prepares for a more fulfilling happy marriage. Self-aware people can be both happy and unhappy. Mr. Bennet is self-aware but he is unhappy because he finds no satisfaction in his family. Elizabeth and Darcy learn to know and grow toward each other and so their marriage has the capacity to contain the greatest happiness. Additionally, happiness can be found when one has no self-consciousness. Charlotte is self-aware and knows what she wants and needs. So she is happy with her marriage to Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins has no self-awareness but is happy because he has a wife and that is what he longs for. Ultimately, people who have the most self-awareness and knowledge, who can grow and learn their weaknesses and flaws, are the ones who will have the most happiness in their lives..