Austen
Jane Austen allows her characters to reveal themselves naturalistically, through their words and actions. Rather than interfering with an overly strong narrative voice, the author prefers to enable the reader's engagement with characters like Darcy as if they were real life acquaintances. Interestingly, though, Austen makes a small exception for Darcy, who when he first appears in Chapter three, is described by the narrator. Austen's choice of introduction makes perfect sense, though, as the reader comes to know Darcy. Darcy's arrogance and perceived shallowness make it highly appropriate that readers would first encounter him through his well bred looks. Moreover, Darcy turns heads when he enters the room. Austen's narrator is sure to point this out, so that the reader's head can also symbolically turn to gaze upon the handsome yet cocky gentleman. The reader is also encouraged to identify with Elizabeth so fully in Pride and Prejudice, that it is primarily through Elizabeth's eyes that the reader comes to know Darcy. Her transformation therefore mirrors his.
Darcy's introduction in Chapter 3 leads the reader inside Elizabeth's head, complete with her prejudices against him as well as her inevitable attraction to him. Darcy "drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year," (Chapter 3, para. 5). The narrator briefly notes that the men admire Mr. Darcy for his
Yet Darcy's personality leaves a lot to be desired. "He was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company," (Chapter 3, para. 5). The theme of pride in Pride and Prejudice is embodied by Darcy's perceived arrogance. By showing the reader how others perceive him, Austen elucidates his character. When Darcy expresses affection for Elizabeth, it is presumed that she will feel flattered. When she rebuffs him, Darcy remains interested. This shows his loyalty and persistence, and undermines his reputation for arrogance in a major way. It is Elizabeth who becomes prideful and full of prejudice, and both her and the reader must overcome both feelings.
Throughout much of the novel, the Bennetts, and especially Elizabeth, look mainly unfavorably upon Darcy. Ironically, they seem more prejudiced against him than he is of them. Darcy does look down on families perceived to have less social status than his, but this is simply a matter of his upbringing and culture. Elizabeth and the Bennetts make character judgments against a man who actually talks a lot less than they do. When Darcy does speak, however, he sometimes draws attention to how rude he can actually be without…
Indeed, in her conversations with Wickham, Elizabeth was extremely superficial, appreciating him because of his pleasant manners and positive attitude towards her, and omitting any other considerations: "Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them."(Austen, 36) Elizabeth had been definitely wrong in her opinions of both Darcy and Wickham, but had been right about the other man who proposed to her,
Jane Austen Quotes Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Bantam Classics, 2003. Print. PRIDE "His pride," said Miss Lucas, "does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it." (15) "It has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule." "Such as vanity and pride." "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride -- where there is real
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is set in rural England, in Longbourn, during the Napoleonic Wars, 1797-1815. The novel centers around the Bennet family, which includes five daughters of marrying age, Jane, the oldest, then Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. It is a story of romance, manners and a comedy of misunderstandings, in 19th century England. The protagonist of the story is the second daughter, Elizabeth, regarded as
Freedom of the Mind Is Freedom From Prejudice: Personal Renewal From Jane Austen's Classic, Pride And Prejudice For years, reading has been both a necessity and luxury for me. Reading, as a necessity, is an imperative for students like me who need to be constantly needed to be updated and knowledgeable about their chosen fields of expertise. Similarly, in times of leisure, reading provides me with new insights and discoveries about
Jane Austen's Emma Jane Austen's Gentleman Ideal in Emma In her third novel, Jane Austen created a flawed but sympathetic heroine in the young Emma Woodhouse. Widely considered her finest work, Austen's Emma once again deals with social mores, particularly those dealing with ethical actions and social status. This paper focuses on how Austen uses the figure of George Knightley to propose a new English Gentleman Ideal to criticize the strictures regarding the
Pride and Prejudice Additional Pages Casal, Elvira. "Laughing at Mr. Darcy: Wit and Sexuality in Pride and Prejudice." Persuasions On-Line 22.1 (2001): n. pag. Web. Casal discusses comedy, laughter and wit as Austen's basic thematic concerns within Pride and Prejudice. She begins her analysis with a discussion of the conversation between Miss Bingley and Elizabeth Bennett, which concludes with Elizabeth's expostulation "Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!" Casal notes that
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