In both of Austen’s ‘romantic comedies’; ‘Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion’ Jane Austen delicately provides an insight into life and social habits at the time; exploring the themes of love, class and money and in doing so creating a realistic and meaningful account; combining what is often comic irony, with steadfast morals. Both novels ardently focus on pressing social concerns of the time, with Austen portraying through each story; the section in society in which she is most familiar with.
Yet Austen creates for readers an understanding that does not dwell specifically on politics or what can be described as ‘majorly’ influential factors of the time, e. g. – the ongoing war. By bypassing such explicit attempts at explaining the situation in Britain at the time, and by refusing to use a major incident and extraordinary characters as a catalyst for the action occurring in her novels; Austen portrays a more modest, personal and accessible account. By centralising her story around small groups or social circles; she meticulously examines different parts of society; through authorial viewpoints.
Austen’s morals or ideals; represented mainly through the characters of Elizabeth Bennett and Anne Elliot, are therefore much easier to comprehend or evaluate because, in such a small scale, the story becomes universal and identifiable to readers. It can be acknowledged that the basis of ‘Pride and Prejudice’s story reflects on the prejudices and ill-judgements made by members of the public; regardless of their social disposition, in a somewhat light hearted fashion, whilst ‘Persuasion’ focuses more darkly and intensely on the consequence of such ignorant opinions and judgements cast without conclusive reason.
The Essay on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a manifestation of creativity in its bravest and most daring form. Never has a woman dared to write about the female specie in the form that Austen did; bold yet graceful and assertive but polite. Pride and Prejudice proves to be one of the timeless pieces of Literature because of its interesting content that brings about new and substantial insight every ...
Similarities between the two books in relation to plot, character and theme are evident. Both novels analyse a range of hurtful truths, common beliefs and stereotypes that are universal, with ‘Persuasion’, perhaps more seriously, detailing the consequences of intelligence clouded by vanity and self-interest: “Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character. Vanity of person and of situation. ” ‘Pride and Prejudice’, however, more light-heartedly and ironically mimics the inflated ego’s of those of fortune and rank also: Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of wealth preserved. ” “[Miss Bingley] would have difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so well bred and agreeable. ” The characters in both books are also universal. Their personalities harbour similarities between each book and additionally, have qualities that readers can relate to, as they are still present, to an extent, in society today.
Most, if not all characters; from the comical, perpetually ignorant and flippant Mrs Bennett and Mary Musgrove: “a woman of mean understanding, little information and quick temper. When she was disconcerted; she fancied herself nervous. ” (Mrs Bennett) to the austere, sombre; yet equally comical Mr Collins; “the respect he held for high rank, his veneration for her as a patroness…he was a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility. ” can be described as ‘caricatures’ – personifying and bringing to life society’s beliefs, opinions and prejudices of certain people; in an exaggerated form.
Austen’s subtle narrative approach allows readers to collect their own thoughts, and does not subjectively enforce conclusions on readers. Instead, she hints at her ideas; persuading readers to come to their own judgements; which, irrefutably, end up matching hers consequently. By adopting a third person narrative voice Austen is able to distance herself from characters, not allowing the progress and development of characters within the novel to be concealed by constant and intense surveillance. Her narrative voice makes t more credible that her story has been created through her own observation of society; and the third person narrative voice makes it easier for readers to discern their own opinions through viewpoint of a distant, unrelated objector. In addition; Austen manipulates and exploits characters dialogue and conversation to expose significant developments within the novel – rather than intimate description. E. g. – the dubious, mysterious character of Mr Wickam is proved to be in question by Elizabeth’s auntie, in ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
The Term Paper on Analysis of Feminism in Pride and Prejudice
Abstract：Pride and Prejudice is a marvellous novel of Jane Austen. Although in her age, women are regarded as emotional, weak, nurturing, and submissive, Austen depicts her heroine, Elizabeth as a woman who has her own perspectives, feelings, and opinions. This paper analyses feminism in Pride and Prejudice from its progressive and conservative aspects. The former is reflected from the perspective ...
In ‘Persuasion’; Mr Wentworth’s initial opinion on Anne; after meeting her again after 8 years; is cruelly exposed by Mary; during conversation: “he finds you most altered…he’d hardly recognise you” In both novels; the main themes of class; love; wealth and money are examined. Throughout both; Austen explicitly demonstrates the importance; yet unfairness of financial stability in life. Wealth and social status underpin most of the action in both books; and it becomes obvious that the sum of money one owns, acts as a basis for judging their character.
For example; without any other information about his character, nature of personality; Mrs Bennett immediately addresses Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy as potential husbands for her daughters: “A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls. ” Alternatively; in ‘Persuasion’, the sum of money owned by Mr Wentworth is not substantial enough to warrant Anne’s marriage to him; and therefore he is condemned, and cast aside by her family. Anne is left in an unenviable position of choosing between her family and her love.
Ultimately, she naively chooses her family and therefore sacrifices her happiness. Another similarity between the novels is the ideal of love and marriage. In ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and in ‘Persuasion’ marriages are encouraged for advantage and individual gain, rather than out of love. For example; in ‘Pride and Prejudice’; Mr and Mrs Bennett’s relationship is fallacious, as is Mr Collins and Charlotte Lucas’; as is Mr Wickham and Lydia’s; and in ‘Persuasion’ Mr Elliot’s intentions for Anne also revolve around the idea of social status and wealth.
However, this does not stick with the two main heroines, who unconventionally belief in something much deeper than a love made with financial intent. They refute the idea that: “Happiness in a marriage is a matter of chance” (Charlotte Lucas) Lizzy appears to be un-yielding to the idea of love, perhaps, because of her experience within her loveless domestic background of her parents unhappy and unstable relationship; whilst Anne revolves her life around the fact that she stupidly rejected her one true love; and thus becomes reserved in believing that she has simply passed her chance at happiness by.
The Essay on Virginia Woolf Love Character One
Reading To the Lighthouse was more than just another literary experience for me. Virginia Woolf wrote in such a way that challenged my mind, spoke to my emotions and in essence she shut me up and made me listen. Listening was not hard seeing that she had much to say and a unique way of saying it. I found a sensitivity in Woolf's work that I appreciated as it is not a style seen in the work of ...
The ideal mentioned above; is happily contradicted also by the minor character of Jane Bennett whose partnership with Mr Bingley in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ subsists past obstacles, over pride, social status and even after a long period of separation. It is clear to readers that their love is rare and real. Jane’s exclamation after the announcement of their engagement challenges the conventional theory that marriage is made out of convenience: “Tis too much! ”, “by far too much.
I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody as happy. ” The heroines of the story also; eventually; in face of adversary – find true love. Evoking from readers genuine emotion, understanding and acceptance that love cannot be bought or faked. “they were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love. ” (Anne and Wentworth) Also, readers truly appreciate how deserving the heroines are of love; and how admirable they’re characters are, whilst having their faults also.
Both characters, by the end of the novel; seem to have gone through a period or journey of self-examination and development; in which they scrutinise both their behaviour and personality in retrospect and thus; through their knowledge, are able to mature and truly become satisfied and content within themselves. To conclude; though the mood and tone of the novels differ slightly; Austen creates an affiliation between both ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Persuasion’, in terms of characterisation, themes and even plot.
Austen is able to fully explore the concept of providing both a subjective and objective observer to the characters and action taking place in both novels; and in doing so allows readers to gain a deeper comprehension and more intense alliance with the central themes and characters. Readers are able to cast their own assertions on the novels; whilst Austen subtly hints at the conclusions; yet never enforces them. The themes of the two novels are undoubtedly intertwined and complex; creating the foundations from which further analyse of plot can be gained and an understanding of realistic society at the time can also be discerned.
The Essay on Marriage in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
The intricate nexus of marriage, money and love in Jane Austen’s society is unfolded through the development of plots and characters of her novel Pride and Prejudice. In the nineteenth century’s rural England, marriage was a woman’s chief aim, both financially and socially. Financially because of women’s dependent position marriage was the “only honourable ...
