Wednesday, April 30, 2014

What are the methods that Jane Austen uses to create interest in her characters and their marriages in Pride and Prejudice?

One method Austen uses to create interest in her
characters and their marriages is to develop conflicts
between characters based on inner character traits. For
instance, Elizabeth and Darcy are plunged into conflict because of their pride: her
pride makes her reject Darcy because he is not moved by her beauty enough to dance with
her; his pride makes him haughty and arrogantly reserved at the Meryton ball. Another
example is the conflict between Charlotte and Elizabeth on the topic of marriage and on
Charlotte's choice of accepting Collins in marriage.


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"[It] is better to know as little as possible of
the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

"You
make me laugh, Charlotte; ... you would never act in this way yourself." (Chapter 6)



Another method Austen uses
is to develop characters whose traits oppose each other
though without conflict. For instance, Bingley and Darcy
have oppositional traits, though no conflict, because Bingley is willing to see the
best, put himself forward amongst strangers, and accept people's goodness on first
acquaintance. On the other hand, Darcy thinks his actions as a scrupulous and moral man
will speak on his behalf and that he does not have to inconvenience himself with
goodwill to people he meets. Colonel Fitzwilliam's character traits are also
oppositional to Darcy's allowing Austen to give her point a double edge. Another example
is Jane and Elizabeth, whose character traits are oppositional and without
conflict.


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[Darcy]; "I have been a selfish being all my
life, in practice, though not in principle. ... [taught] taught me to be selfish and
overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle;..." (Chapter
58)



A third method is that
Austen develops such important villains who cause such
grief and trouble. For instance, the most prominent villain is Wickham whose name even
declares him to be villainous! He causes extreme pain and difficulty for Darcy. He has
also, before the story began, caused near-disaster for Georgianna Darcy. He nearly
causes unhappiness and sorrow for Elizabeth by nearly winning her heart; fortunately he
is dissuaded by her meager fortune. Miss Bingley can be thought of as a villainess in
relation to Jane, who has her heart weighed down and saddened by Miss Bingley's ill
treatment of her. Lydia might be thought of as a villainess in relation to the Bennet
family as she is very nearly their downfall.


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[Elizabeth]: "My younger sister has left all her
friends--has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of--of Mr. Wickham. They are gone
off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest." (Chapter
46)


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