Representation of Pride and Prejudice - Paragraph

Write a paragraph in which you discuss the way ideas about class are evident in the novel’s representation of pride and prejudice.

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the representations of both pride and prejudice portray ideas regarding social class due to Austen’s effective use of narrative voice and dialogue. Pride is recognised as a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own self; prejudice is known as the act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. The novel considerably comments on the correlation between Mr. Darcy’s sense of pride and his prejudice towards others of a lower class, particularly through the narrative voice. “He was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased” (p.12). Mr. Darcy feels superior to everyone else around him, consequently taking no pleasure in spending time with such people. Dialogue further positions the reader to respond to the ideas of pride and prejudice and their relationship to social class: upon Mr. Bingley questioning why Mr. Darcy chose not to dance with anyone at Sir William and Lady Lucas’s ball, he responds, “There is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with” (p.13). Mr. Darcy’s pride doesn’t allow him to enjoy conversing with those of a lower class, and as a result he develops a negative, prejudiced attitude towards others. Throughout the novel, social class is a core element of the pride and prejudiced attitudes held by array of characters, in particular, Mr. Darcy, as is made evident through Austen’s manipulation of aesthetic features such as dialogue and narrative voice.

Importance of Charlotte Lucas - Paragraph

The character of Charlotte Lucas plays an important role in Pride and Prejudice due to Jane Austen’s effective manipulation of narrative voice and dialogue. Attitudes towards marriage differ between characters throughout the novel; when Charlotte’s views are presented in contrast to those of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, her character proves to be of importance. The narrative voice allows for the reader to understand and accept Charlotte’s appeal: “ . . . marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want” (p.120). On the contrary, both Elizabeth and Jane feel that it is in one’s best favour to marry for love, as is often shown in conversations shared between the two Bennet sisters. Upon Elizabeth revealing her engagement to Mr Darcy, Jane responds, “Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than marry without affection” (p.353). Similarly through the use of dialogue, Charlotte presents a differing view of marriage when she discusses her engagement to Mr. Collins with Elizabeth, “ . . . considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” (p.123). Charlotte’s character positions the reader to make comparisons between her attitude towards marriage and those of Elizabeth and Jane, a comparison otherwise lacking were it not for her role in Pride and Prejudice.

Elizabeth Paragraph

"Elizabeth Bennet is a character to whom today's young women can relate very easily because of her attitudes to love and marriage."

Do you agree?

Young women of present day relate easily with the character Elizabeth Bennet because of her attitudes to love and marriage. When declining Mr. Collins’ marriage proposal, Elizabeth says, “I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies… who are so daring to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… You could not make me happy.” (p.105) Through the use of dialogue the reader is positioned to view Elizabeth’s favour towards marrying for love. Elizabeth is presented as a strong willed character, refusing to marry Mr Collins despite her family’s wish. “She is a very head strong, foolish girl.” (p.108) Mrs Bennet, along with most from the time, disapproved of Elizabeth’s choice, thinking she was foolish to decline a marriage proposal simply because it would not be based on love. Situational irony is present because Mrs Bennet herself didn’t marry for love and as a result has a husband, Mr Bennet, who doesn’t respect or love her and spends most of his time amusing himself by making fun of her. "Her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement.” The reader is henceforth inclined to support Elizabeth’s desire to marry for love, an attitude held by many women. Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is evidently a character many modern day young women can relate to.