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The central action of the novel revolves around the increasing perception and self-realisation of Darcy and Elizabeth. Both characters are guilty of harbouring illusions about the other, and it is when these misguided notions are replaced, that they gain a clear understanding of each other.
In the cottage at Hunsford both characters perceptions of each other, and indeed themselves, change. Elizabeth after having attacked Darcy for his faults becomes ?absolutely ashamed of herself? and admits to being ?blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd? (Chapter 6) as a result of her attraction to George Wickham. She realises that preconceptions and ?ignorance? have ?driven reason away?(Chapter 6). Elizabeth acknowledges that ?Till this moment, I never knew myself?(Chapter 6).
Darcy too is awoken to his prejudice and conceit when his confidence in gaining a positive reply to his proposal to Elizabeth is shattered. Her accusations shock him greatly and he appreciates that he must shed all his former prejudice against Elizabeth?s family, and their lowly connections, if he is to win her respect. In his desperation to win her hand, Darcy is prepared to accept the justice of Elizabeth?s accusations and admit his faults ?I have been a selfish being all my life?(Chapter 58). He is genuinely grateful to Elizabeth by whom he was ?properly humbled?(Chapter 58).
A genteel social setting
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At the beginning of Pride and Prejudice we are introduced to the Bennet family and Meryton society. Life revolves around balls and the local gossip. With the news of Bingley?s arrival at Netherfield comes the necessary round of polite introductions and calls which forms part of the etiquette required when a new family of good connections enters the area. A pleasant impression of genteel English country life is created which has little to disrupt it apart from a bit of gossip or romance.
Romance
The romantic interest in stimulated by the fact an eligible, wealthy, young bachelor has moved into the neighbourhood and that Mrs Bennet has five unmarried daughters. The eldest Jane immediately feels attracted to Bingley and the feeling is reciprocated. There is tension between Darcy and Elizabeth, both proud figures who have wit, intelligence and aesthetic appreciation in common. Despite their initial unfavourable impressions of one another, their paths are destined to cross. Jane Austen, through the use of secondary characters such as Charlotte Lucas and the Gardiners contrives to bring Darcy and Elizabeth together.
Humour
Humour is provided throughout the novel by several larger than life and absurd characters. First of all we witness the neurotic and ridiculous Mrs Bennet with her obsessions with marriage and her daughters. Furthermore, Mr Bennet?s teasing of his wife provides many amusing interludes. Next we meet the totally ludicrous and pompous Mr Collins who is ridiculed from the moment he is introduced. The social satire is continued with Lady Catherine de Bourgh who is a caricature of an upper-class snob who fills her time by meddling in the affairs of others.
The loss of illusions and self-realisation
Both Darcy and Elizabeth have been guilty of basing their opinions of one another on prejudice and misconceptions. In Elizabeth?s case, she has accepted false accusations without question, mainly as a result of her enjoyment of Wickham?s flattery and pride in her own judgement. Darcy must overcome his own feelings of pride and prejudices against Elizabeth?s family and lowly social status if he is to win her love. His self-confidence and arrogance is dealt a blow when Elizabeth rejects him and he realises that he has been guilty of conceit and complacency and must change. It is suggested that love, which is gained through adversity and self-sacrifice, is worth having. Both characters have to learn a hard lesson of humility and self-realisation .
The resolution of the plot
Jane Austen does not rush the joyful resolution of the plot deliberately. This builds up feelings of tension and expectation. When the romance of Darcy and Elizabeth is concluded she describes in detail the events immediately after their marriage so as to satisfy the reader. The news of Darcy and Elizabeth?s continued intimacy with the Gardiners is not vital, but adds to the enjoyment at the end of the main plot. There is always a strong sense of justice at the happy conclusion of a Jane Austen novel, which lays her open to the criticism that she paints a rose tinted view of the world and portrays the human condition without toil, adversity and suffering.
The style of a Jane Austen novel
Like the world of her novels, the structure and style of Jane Austen?s writing is neat and ordered with an inherent feel for decorum and balance. Although there is an ease and surety of touch there is room for sharp and witty satire. Her vivid characters and locations are always portrayed with meticulous precision, which reflects the painstaking attentiveness of her own observations. Jane Austen is recognised for her ability to create subtle mood changes through nuances of behaviour and speech. She handles her material with such deft touches that the unobservant reader could conclude that her writing lacks vigour and intensity.
The dialogue of her characters, although controlled and governed by the strict conventions of its day, generally appears natural and allows for witty repartee. She has been acclaimed for her mastery of dialogue and has an excellent ear particularly for the speech of women. There is an intensity and sincerity in the dialogue of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet which reflects their genuine affection for one another. Jane Austen?s use of direct and indirect speech varies according to how much the reader needs to be involved in a particular episode. Occasionally the action need to be moved on quickly, or an impartial perspective is needed, and therefore indirect speech is used. In Austen?s more satirical scenes indirect reportage allows for more acute observations.
Observations and point of view
The style of Pride and Prejudice is generally subtle, simple and direct with its meticulous observations and attention to detail, although she does allow the obtrusive and vulgar Mrs Bennet to disrupt the controlled tone of the novel from time to time. Characters and situations are carefully constructed. Most of the action is seen from the author?s point of view, particularly when we are to see characters in terms of ironic satire. Occasionally we see a glimpse of a character?s own observations, particularly from the female perspective. In Pride and Prejudice, however, we do obtain a detailed understanding of both Darcy and Elizabeth after he hands her the letter at Hunsford.
Generalisations
Generalisations and grand, sweeping statements were a key feature of the eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century novel and were used to express irony or a moral maxim. Jane Austen uses generalisations which are light hearted and humorous. The famous opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice which begins, ?It is a truth universally acknowledged? (Chapter 1) is playful and ironic. Mary Bennet?s serious observations on pride, while lacking subtlety or real wit, are nevertheless ironic and portentous ?Pride ? is a very common failing I believe?(Chapter 5). Generalisations serve to establish a moral code or set of principles which set the boundaries for characters. Very often comments such as ?Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance? (Chapter 6), uttered by Charlotte Lucas, can explain, justify or excuse behaviour later on in the novel.
Abstract ideas
Jane Austen?s tendency for describing characters and explaining actions through abstract ideas was common in the eighteenth century. When Elizabeth considers Darcy?s letter as all ?pride and insolence? (Chapter 6) she is making a moral judgement. When she admits to being ?partial, prejudiced, absurd? (Chapter 6) she is echoing the author?s strong condemnation of her own folly and vanity. Such strong abstract statements add weight and authority to Austen?s style, and again uphold the moral framework of the novel.
Balance
Austen?s work is noted for its symmetry of style. Austen often repeats phrases which is a rhetorical device. Along with adding a sense of balance and logic to an argument it is a powerful dramatic device. To emphasis the conflicting views and wishes between Mr and Mrs Bennet regarding Mr Collins? proposal to Elizabeth, Jane Austen uses almost identical parallel clauses which add humour to the situation
?Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins, and I will never see you again if you do? (Chapter 0).
Imagery
There is very little in the way of imagery in Pride and Prejudice, and when it does appear is rarely original or striking. She avoids ingenious similes and metaphors characteristic of an author such as Charles Dickens. Her images are conventional and fit into the language of the text going almost unobserved ?I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away? (Chapter 6).
Language
The language of Jane Austen?s novels is precise, subtle and considered. Her meanings are portrayed with meticulous accuracy and detail. Her ideas are often reiterated and qualified in complex sentences with a number of secondary clauses
?Wilfully and wantonly to have thrown off the companion of my youth, the acknowledged favourite of my father, a young man who had scarcely any other dependence than on our patronage, and who had brought up to expect its exertion, would be a depravity, to which the separation of two young persons, whose affection could be the growth of only a few weeks, could bear no comparison? (Chapter 5).
In reality, Austen?s style was simpler and more than direct than that of the majority of her contemporaries. Other key features of her style include the softening of action and dialogue by use of the passive voice
?Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, ? I have courted prepossession? (Chapter 6).
Wordsworth Editions 000
In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, she displays a stark contrast between two characters in the story. Austen does so by discussing the theme of pride throughout the novel. The concept of pride can be defined in two ways positive and negative. Possessing positive or right pride is to have self-respect, honor, and integrity. On the other hand, wrong or negative pride is defined as showing arrogant or disdainful conduct and haughtiness. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy displays the positive side of pride while Mr. Bennet possesses wrong or negative pride, and a lack of pride itself in some cases. Darcy is responsible for his sister, himself, his estate, and his family name. He takes pride in these things and does anything he can in order to protect them. But Mr. Bennet who is responsible as a father of five daughters, a husband, and the holder of reputable conduct in the family, does not take pride in his family or his responsibility; Mr. Bennet instead ridicules the members of his family and in turn does not control their unruly actions.
Mr. Darcy, the leading male character in the novel, possesses an ancient family name, magnificent estate, and a sizable fortune which may seem to contribute to his pride. But later on in the book, we learn that he is a generous master to his servants and tenants and a loving brother to his young sister Georgiana. He is responsible for so much his sister, his family name, and his estate, Pemberley. Although seen as excessively proud in a negative way, Charlotte Lucas defends Darcy by saying that a man of his wealth and family background has a right to be proud.
Darcy cares dearly for his younger sister, Georgiana. As the estate holder of the family, it is his responsibility to watch over and guide her. In an experience with George Wickham, Georgiana is deceived and almost taken in by Wickham. But Darcy finds out and stops it immediately. This shows that Darcy is concerned with his sisters well-being; this incident further intensifies his hatred for Wickham, but Darcy protects his sister from him. By protecting his sister, Darcy also wants to make her happy; in turn, he purchases a piano for Georgiana so that she can play well. He takes his responsibilities seriously and fulfills them. For example, as explained briefly in the previous paragraph, he takes pride in his honor and displays generous treatment of his servants and tenants. Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, says that ì[Darcy] is the best landlord, and the best master,î and that she never had ì a cross word from himî in her life. He cares even for his servants generously and is not haughty about his higher class status. This further shows Darcys attention to responsibility, self-respect, and honor.
Mr. Darcy is also in charge of the protecting his family name and estate. He holds his family name and estate of Pemberley with high esteem and value, but not in a conceited manner like Lady Catherine de Bourghs. Darcys pride here is not of a negative nature, but is one of positive nature. His pride in his name is typical of any person; and in some instances when it is jeopardized, he takes care of the situation and returns everything back to normal. For example, Darcy does not want the Pemberley estate to be ìtaintedî with Wickhams foul and unconscionable behavior. He takes pride in the Darcy name and wants to protect it from the likes of Wickham who has tried to blemish the family name. Along with Darcys pride and reputable fulfillment of his responsibilities comes the honor that he shows. For example, Darcy undertakes the rescue of Lydia from Wickham; he does so by agreeing to pay Wickham a certain amount in turn for his marriages with Lydia. Darcy also does this to save his family name because in the future, he is going the marry her sister, Elizabeth Bennet.
Mr. Bennet is a witty father of five daughters and a husband of a foolish wife. He is a disappointed man, who long ago gave up all hope of finding happiness in his marriageóand who often treats his foolish wife and younger daughters as objects of amusement. He calls his daughters ìsillyî and verbally plays with his wife in the presence of their daughters. He fails his duty as a husband by not controlling his rowdy wife and as a father for not keeping his young flirtatious daughter, Lydia, out of trouble. He suffers from a lack of pride by not being responsible as the leader of the household and not protecting his daughters from harm.
Mrs. Bennets behavior inside and outside of the Longbourn estate is utterly annoying and rude. Her behavior and reactions to trivial occurrences is excessive and again vexing. For example, at the balls that the Bennets had attended, Mrs. Bennet talked loudly without watching over her own behavior. Mr. Bennet does not control his wife or even tell her to quiet down. In order to protect the reputation and integrity of the family, he must maintain the good manners in the family. This also applies with Lydias behavior. She flirts with most of the soldiers in the regiment, and Mr. Bennet does not even criticize her wanton behavior. He does not take pride in his daughters and thus does not put much care into their behavior; through this he cannot protect the reputation of the Bennet family name.
Another of his disappointments is that his estate, Longbourn, can only be handed down to a male heir. Because he has tried to get a son and gets five daughters instead. There is no one to hand it down to; thus the estate goes to Mr. Collins, his cousin. Expecting a son, he never saw a need to save any of his income in order to provide for his daughters future. Mr. Bennet fails his responsibility to provide for his family and daughters. His lack of pride leads to his own lack of responsibility for the things that should be most important to him, his family and its reputation.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet differ obviously concerning the subject of pride. Darcy possesses a positive form of pride while Bennet almost has none at all. But within the pride, there exists a difference in priority. Mr. Darcy is careful about the Darcy family name and protects it with a hawk-like manner. He takes his responsibility as the landowner, brother, and master very seriously. On the other hand, Mr. Bennet lets his family do as it pleases and almost does not care. The reputation of the Bennet family is blemished by the behavior of its members because the head of the household, Mr. Bennet, lacks the pride to protect it.
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