Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility - Essay Example

November 9, 2005 "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility A Critical Analysis Jane Austen's most famous works of fiction "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility" are based on the life and society in England in the 19th century. Both novels essentially have women protagonists, who are of a marriageable age. In "Pride and Prejudice," Elizabeth Bennet is the central character, whereas two sisters named Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are the central characters in "Sense and Sensibility." There are certain similarities as well as contrasts observed in both the works. "Pride and Prejudice" is essentially a romantic novel, with the key theme being marriage. In fact, the author's intention as to the content of the novel is made clear in the first sentence: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." ("Pride and Prejudice," Chapter1, ) The novel begins with the introduction of one such single and very eligible bachelor, Mr. Bingley, who arouses the interests of the Bennet family from the moment of his arrival at Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet, the mother of five daughters, begins to make plans about getting him married to one of her daughters. Throughout the novel, she pursues this matter most eagerly, and is more than pleased to find that Mr. Bingley is seeking after her daughter Jane. Although marriage is one of the subjects pursued in "Sense and Sensibility," it is not the key theme of the story. The key theme is the depiction of the ideal manner of deportment in society. This is portrayed through the contrasting temperaments of the sisters Elinor, and Marianne. The character of Elinor represents 'sense' because she keeps her feelings under wraps, and is not given to mood swings or passionate disclosure of her feelings in society. Her sister Marianne however, represents 'sensibility', because she is a very passionate creature, and also very open and opinionated about her likes and dislikes. Whereas Elinor weighs her words before uttering them, Marianne forms quick judgments, and looses no time in displaying her emotions. The marriage of the Dashwood sisters is not of utmost importance in their family. This is clear in Mrs. John Dashwood's conversation with her husband, when they are debating on the subject of giving money to his sisters: "If they marry, they will be sure of doing well, and if they do not, they may all live very comfortably together on the interest of ten thousand pounds."("Sense and Sensibility," Chapter 2, ) Elinor and Marianne's mother does not fervently pursue the subject of their daughters' marriage. In fact, the sisters are not forced to marry someone because of the wishes of their mother. However, Mrs. Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" is literally obsessed with the marriage of her daughters, and has made it her life mission to get her daughters married somehow. She does not like the attitude of her daughter Elizabeth, who refuses Mr. Collin's proposal of marriage. When Mr. Collins reveals to her the conversation that occurred between him and Elizabeth, she reacts in the following manner: "But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins," she added, "that Lizzy shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest but I will _make_ her know it."("Pride and Prejudice," Chapter 20, ) This clearly shows that she has no interest, whatsoever, in seeing her daughters happy; she just wants them married at any cost to established gentlemen. Regarding the subject of courtship in both the novels, there are certain similarities. In fact, some courtships in both the novels take a similar form. The courtship between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins in "Pride and Prejudice" is similar to the courtship between Lucy and Robert Ferrars, as both ladies marry for money and not for love. Also the opinion formed of these courtships in both the novels is not favorable. Also, in both novels, the central characters marry for love and not for money. William Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice" courts Elizabeth despite his aunt's protestations. Similarly, Edward rebels and courts Lucy and then later Elinor, despite his mother's and sister's wishes for him to get married to a rich heiress, Miss Morton. A similarity can also be seen in the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Marianne and Colonel Brandon. Elizabeth thinks Darcy to be haughty and ill-bred man who looks down upon her family. Marianne considers Colonel Brandon to be old, boring, and incapable of romance at his age. In Marianne's own words: "Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs. Jennings, but he is old enough to be MY father; and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind."("Sense and Sensibility," Chapter 8, < http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/161>) Later however, the feelings of both Elizabeth and Marianne change in favor of their suitors. Also, both Elizabeth and Marianne have unsuccessful romances with characters of similar dispositions. Elizabeth has a romantic attachment towards Wickham, who comes across as a very lively and animated person in the beginning, but later is discovered to be a philanderer and a cheat. Similarly, in "Sense and Sensibility," Willoughby seems to occupy Marianne's heart because of their similar interests and his cheerful character, but later he leaves her broken-hearted to marry a woman with considerable income. A resemblance can also be seen in Jane Bennet and Elinor Dashwood's romances. The characters of Jane Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" and Elinor in "Sense and Sensibility" are both reticent in their courtship. Despite the fact that Jane loves Mr. Bingley from the beginning, she does not give him enough encouragement to propose to her. In fact, Darcy also mistakes her shyness as disinterestedness in Bingley. Similarly, in "Sense and Sensibility," though Elinor loves Edward, she does not reveal her thoughts to him until the end. Jane Austen has depicted the country life in England in the 19th century in both her novels. Money seems to be a major concern in the English society in both the novels. As a matter of fact, in both novels, a great emphasis is placed on money at times of marriage. For this reason, in "Pride and Prejudice" Mrs. Bennet keeps fretting about her daughters to get rich husbands; their qualities are of no concern to her whatsoever. She forces Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins despite his overbearing and pompous nature, because he is very well placed. Also, Lady Catherine looks down upon Elizabeth because she does not come from a very wealthy family, and admonishes her nephew Darcy for courting her. Similarly, The Bingley sisters don't want their brother to get married to Jane Bennet because of her lack of wealth. Instead, they sincerely hope that he would marry Darcy's sister. Also, Charlotte totally ignores Mr. Collins' misgivings and marries him because he is well settled. Mr. Collins utters continual praises of Lady Catherine, because she is a wealthy lady, despite the fact that she is exceedingly rude and opinionated. Similarly, in "Sense and Sensibility" Mrs. Ferrars and her daughter want Edward Ferrars to marry a wealthy woman, despite his engagement to Lucy, and his affection for Elinor. Fanny Dashwood takes a liking to Lucy in the beginning and invites her to stay at Norland, but when she comes to know of her secret engagement to Edward, she really looses her temper and shows Lucy the door. Also, once Lucy learns about Edward being stripped off all his inheritance, she quickly goes and marries her brother. It seems as though the only reason she was courting Edward was because of his large inheritance, and she marries Robert, not for love but for money. Willoughby courts Marianne but then goes and marries a lady with a considerable income. A common thing noticed in both the novels is how the central characters rebel against this tradition of marrying for money. In "Pride and Prejudice," Darcy marries Elizabeth despite his aunt's warnings, and Elizabeth's humble income. Similarly, in "Sense and Sensibility," Edward vows to keep his engagement with Lucy even when his mother disinherits him. Later, though Lucy marries his brother Robert, he still marries Elinor, because of his love for her. Another resemblance between the novels can be found in the lamentable status of women in the English society in the 19th century. In "Pride and Prejudice," Mr. Bennet's property is to be inherited by Mr. Collins instead of his daughters, simply because he is the closest male relative in the family. The daughters are not provided for, and this is the chief worry of his wife, who wants to get her daughters married off before Mr. Bennet's death. As a result of this, the Bennet sisters have to go through endless humiliations to secure husbands for themselves. It seems that the women in "Pride and Prejudice" are always preoccupied in the prospect of marriage, and have nothing else to do. A woman is measured against only two standards, her looks and her wealth. If she has neither, such, as is the case of Charlotte Lucas, she has to drop her expectations and marry what comes her way. Although underplayed in "Sense and Sensibility," the chief concerns of a woman are always to catch a good husband for herself. Also, in the beginning we learn that the old Mr. Dashwood leaves his entire Norland estate to his nephew's four-year-old grandson, instead of his daughters who so dutifully take care of him in his old age. Another contrast that is visible in the novels is the characters of the mothers. In "Pride and Prejudice," Mrs. Bennet is a constant source of irritation and public humiliation for Elizabeth, and Jane. She is not only loud, and thoughtless, but also obsessed with the prospect of marrying her daughters to rich gentlemen. She spares no method to get her daughters married. She even sends Jane to Netherfield on horseback, so she might fall ill and stay there and become the chief object of Mr. Bingley's affections. It is said of her: "She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news." ("Pride and Prejudice,"Chapter 1, ) In comparison to her, Mrs. Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility" seems a more rational person, although she too suffers from "that eagerness of mind which must generally have led to imprudence"("Sense and Sensibility," Chapter 2, ). She entertains visitors at home in a kind and lively manner, without underlying intentions of marrying her daughters to them. She also does not force her daughters to get married against their will, and has only their best interests at heart. Another admirable trait in her is her dignity, pride and fearlessness. She does not fear leaving Norland, and prefers a smaller home than constant insults from her daughter-in-law. Mrs. Bennet however, is constantly hounded by the fear of loosing her property to Mr. Collins. A lot of similarities exist among various characters in both novels. To begin with, a likeness of temperament can be found in Elizabeth and Marianne, who are both quick to form judgments in the beginning but gradually mature towards becoming more sensible and sedate in their ways. Similarly, Jane and Elinor have a sweet and reticent disposition. Both are not forthcoming in showing their feelings towards their suitors. Jane, who is constantly roused by Miss Bingley, never really gets angry with her, or shows her true emotions. Similarly, Elinor deals in the most diplomatic manner with Lucy, despite her feelings for Edward Ferrars. Thus both novels are sketched against a common backdrop of the middle class English society in the 19th century, and possess many similarities in characters and themes such as money, societal mingling, and marriage. However, both are different in their essential themes. "Pride and Prejudice" is essentially a romantic work of fiction, whereas "Sense and Sensibility" deals more with the norms of the society, and the code of conduct to be followed while dealing with the society. -WORKS CITED- 1."Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, http://www.gutenberg.org/etext1342> 2. "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen, http://www.gutenberg.org/etext161> Read More