Pride and Prejudice

PRIDE

and

PREJUDICE

by

Jane Austen,

Published in 1813

with a Preface by

George Saintsbury

and

Illustrations by

Hugh Thomson

[Illustration: 1894]

Ruskin 156. Charing

House. Cross Road.

London

George Allen.

CHISWICK PRESS:--CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.

TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.

This is an eBook compiled and reformatted by Emmanuelle Britt H. 2023

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE IS A SATIRE

Jane Austen employs satire in Pride and Prejudice to critique the societal expectations of women to marry for social status and wealth. Through her use of sarcasm, she exposes the absurdity of valuing women solely based on their monetary worth. The novel opens with a sarcastic statement: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Austen mocks the notion that a woman's value is determined by her ability to attract a wealthy husband.

Austen also uses sarcasm to highlight the way men discuss and perceive women during that time period. By portraying the wit and intelligence of Elizabeth Bennet, Austen challenges the prevailing belief that women are not intellectually capable. Elizabeth serves as a vehicle for Austen to satirically expose the foolishness and absurdity of characters like Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Wickham.

Furthermore, Austen imbues the Bennet daughters with sarcasm and attitude, as they defy societal norms and stand up to men. Their boldness and independence go against the expectations placed upon women at the time, which both upsets and amuses their mother. Mrs. Bennet's humorous obsession with securing

wealthy husbands for her daughters is exemplified when she remarks, upon learning of Jane's illness after traveling in a storm, that if Jane were to die, at least it would be in pursuit of Mr. Bingley. This satirical comment exposes the absurdity of Mrs. Bennet's single-minded focus on marriage and wealth.

In Pride and Prejudice, Austen's use of satire and sarcasm serves to critique and challenge the societal norms and expectations placed upon women, as well as to highlight the folly and humor of certain characters and their misguided beliefs.

• In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen employs the technique of using character foils to highlight and exaggerate certain traits or faults in her characters. Mr. Collins is a prime example of an exaggerated

character in the novel. Whenever he speaks, he employs grandiose language and boasts about his own elegance and importance, despite the fact that he is quite the opposite. His exaggerated mannerisms and

contradictions make him a humorous and caricature-like figure.

Another character who is portrayed in an exaggerated manner is Mrs.Bennet. Her extremely unpleasant demeanor and exaggerated reactions to various situations provide comedic relief in the story. The reader often finds themselves laughing at the predicaments that Mrs. Bennet puts herself in. Her sharp tongue and simplistic thinking are so exaggerated that it almost seems unrealistic, leading the reader to view her as a character that could only exist in fiction.

By using these exaggerated characters, Austen adds humor and entertainment to the narrative. Through their exaggerated traits and behaviors, she not only entertains the readers but also offers a satirical critique of the societal norms and expectations of the time. These characters serve as a means for Austen to highlight the flaws and absurdities in human nature and social conventions.

• Elizabeth's sense of humor can indeed be nuanced and sometimes even inappropriate. She often employs wit and sarcasm to mock and criticize the characters and situations around her. For example, when she makes fun of Mr. Collins by saying, "I rather wonder now at knowing any accomplished woman," she is ridiculing the absurd standards of accomplishment set by him and Mrs. Bennet. However, her humor is not always shared by others, and she is often the only one laughing. In another instance, when Mr. Wickham interrupts her while she is enjoying a long-awaited letter from her aunt, Elizabeth responds by saying, "You certainly do.--but it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome." Although she acknowledges the interruption, her reply implies that she finds it unwelcome despite her attempt to

maintain a polite demeanor.

Elizabeth's humor can be seen as a way for her to cope with and critique the social norms and expectations of her time. She uses her wit to expose the foolishness and pretensions of others, often making light of serious situations. While her humor may not always be well-received or understood by those around her, it adds depth to her character and serves as a means of commentary on the society in which she lives.

• "Pride and Prejudice" is renowned for its clever plot twists that challenge readers' initial perceptions and expectations. One notable twist occurs when Mr. Darcy describes Elizabeth as merely "tolerable but

not handsome enough to tempt me." This statement initially portrays Darcy as dismissive of Elizabeth's appearance. However, as the story progresses, we come to realize that the woman whom Darcy initially

overlooked becomes the one he truly desires and eventually marries.

Another significant plot twist involves Mr. Darcy's influence over Mr. Bingley. Darcy convinces Bingley to leave Netherfield, believing it unsuitable to form a marital connection with the Bennet family. Ironically, Darcy himself ends up marrying Elizabeth, a member of the very family he had deemed inappropriate. This twist highlights the transformative power of love and challenges the initial judgments made

by the characters.

Furthermore, Elizabeth surprises Mr. Collins when she declares that she is not the type of person to reject a proposal and accept it later. However, she ultimately defies her own statement when she accepts

Mr.Darcy's second proposal. This twist showcases Elizabeth's growth and her realization that she had misjudged Mr. Darcy initially.

Austen employs these plot twists to challenge the characters' prejudices, highlight their personal growth, and add depth to the storyline. By defying readers' expectations and subverting traditional narrative conventions, Austen keeps the audience engaged and offers a fresh perspective on love, marriage, and societal norms.

• Humor permeates every aspect of "Pride and Prejudice," from character descriptions to imagery, but it shines most prominently in the witty and entertaining conversations between the characters. One particularly amusing aspect of the novel is the ongoing banter and arguments between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet frequently has dramatic outbursts and complains about Mr. Bennet's lack of understanding, while Mr. Bennet takes pleasure in teasing and mocking his wife. For instance, he

playfully remarks, "You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least." This statement clearly reveals his intention to poke fun at his wife's exaggerated emotions.

Jane Austen also employs low comedy when portraying certain characters known as alazons, who have an inflated sense of their own importance.

Examples of such characters include Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy at the first ball, where their initial haughty behavior and self-importance are humorously depicted. By infusing the novel with humor, Austen adds an entertaining and lighthearted dimension to the story. The humorous interactions between characters not only provide comedic relief but also serve as a means of social commentary, highlighting the follies, quirks, and absurdities of the society in which they live.