Analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Assignment Example

 Analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice, the most popular novel by Jane Austen was published in 1813. Her works represent simplicity and straightforward presentation of human life. Besides, the work Pride and Prejudice portrays a rigid class system in English society, especially the middle and higher classes. In her novels, Jane Austen deals with human hypocrisy and her woman characters are law abiding citizens. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Austen tries to prove that there is no rule that romantic love between the hero and the heroine originates from first impression. Instead, negative impression created at first sight may change and eventually to romantic love. The love affair between Elizabeth and Darcy prove this fact. Besides, the novel portrays a rigid class system which does not allow innovative ideas to enter the same. Thesis statement: An investigation into the Novel Pride and Prejudice, based on discussion on the rigid class system, and to expose characters' personalities/ goals by comparing them with today’s politicians. Discussion From historical point of view, the social and cultural life of 19th Century British society underwent gradual transformation. George R. Potter in the work ‘The New Cambridge Modern History’ makes clear that one of the significant characteristics of 18th Century British society was the noticeable growth of middle class (Potter 58). Due to industrialization, the new role and status of skilled and unskilled laborers in the society became unavoidable. A new social class of industrialists beyond aristocracy emerged to the limelight of British society. In addition, priority given to new entrepreneurs reduced the significance of aristocracy. The hierarchy in British class system absorbed the industrialists as a new class beyond the rich aristocracy. The industries were based on skilled laborers, so their status in the society gradually became important. But the gap between wealthy and poor, skilled and unskilled laborers, rural people and urban people became wider. The novel revolves around the experiences of the main character, i.e. Elizabeth Bennet. Besides, the novelist shows keen interest to portray the manners, social set up, morality, culture, and marriage in 19th Century British society. In addition, the novelist does not try to overstate the aristocratic society in Britain. Instead, she sties to portray the rigid class system in 19th Century British society. The novel represents the transition of aristocratic society in 18th century to realism in the 19th century. But in her novel, the novelist gives less priority to the poor. As the novelist represent the middle class in British society with less information on the life of poor people, one can see that her novels symbolize the life of middle class. Besides, the theme is strictly limited to the private domain of woman folk, marriage, morality social and economic security based on the rigid class system of 19th Century British Society. One can see that the middle class family members show keen interest to lead life according to the rules and regulations of the society. The novelist gave more importance to her family life and this reflects in her novels. The middle class in 19th century Britain was not ready to go beyond the rules and regulations put forth by the society. But in the novel, female characters take initiative to be liberal in their private and public life but the parents are blamed for the same. For instance, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were blamed for their daughter Lydia’s deeds. At the same time, Kitty who was away from Lydia’s influence, easily become acceptable in the superior society. The rigid class system in 18th and 19th centuries limited the scope of women folk to be the inheritors of family property. In the novel, Bennett daughters face problem from primogeniture, in which the younger siblings get little right on family property. So, the novel is a vivid portrayal of the rigid class system in 18th and 19th century British society. Comparison Elizabeth Brennet and Jane Brennet Among the characters in the novel, Elizabeth Brennet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brennet is the heroine. She is not so beautiful, but charming. In the work ‘Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice: a sourcebook’ by Robert Morrison a review published in ‘Critical Review’ by anonymous authorship opines that Elizabeth Brennet is most attractive among Brennet sisters because she possessed some sweet manners (Morrison 56). Her charming personality helped her to influence Fitzwilliam Darcy, the protagonist. As a member of a middle class family, she had some prejudice against others. For instance, when Darcy refused to dance with her, she felt hurt. In addition, she began to view Darcy with a suspicious attitude. Deirdre Le Faye in the work ‘Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels’ makes clear that Elizabeth happened to overhear a conversation between Darcy and Bingley which instilled prejudice against Darcy’s character (Faye 188). Elizabeth was ever ready to keep the honor of her family and ready to take risk in life. Jane Brennet is the perfect character in the novel. Compared to Elizabeth, she is beautiful and not proud. Besides, she is good natured, lovable and ever ready to help others under any circumstance. In the work ‘Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, Jane Brennet makes clear that Marry King’s departure to Liverpool without Wickham prove that there was no strong connection between them (Austen 143). In the novel, she is closely attached to her family. Fitzwilliam Darcy and George Wickham Fitzwilliam Darcy, the protagonist of the novel, is wealthy, handsome, and a serious person. His pride hinders him to dance with Elizabeth. But his initial prejudice underwent gradual transformation and he began to love Elizabeth. Mrs. Reynolds words to Elizabeth prove that Darcy is a real gentleman and it helped Elizabeth to change her attitude. He was ever ready to help others .For instance, when Wickham flees with Lydia, Darcy helps them by paying Wickham’s debt. Besides, he is a man of principle, who represents the upper strata of the British Society. Comparison with Darcy proves the fact that George Wickham is the real villain with a pleasing manner. He is well educated but with villainy in his mind. He tries to disgrace Darcy, tries to cheat Georgiana, turns Elizabeth against Darcy, and tries to spoil Lydia’s future. Besides, he was ready to betray others for his selfish motives. Mr. and Mrs. Brennet Mr. and Mrs. Brennet are ill-matched couples. Mr. Brennet married Mrs. Brennet only by considering her beauty not her taste, temperament and attitude towards life. Mr. Brennet is witty but his wife was with poor understanding. When Mr. Brennet came to realize that physical charm is not helpful to maintain peaceful family life, he began to ridicule his wife. This forces Mrs. Brennet to shrink to a narrow world where her only aim was to save her daughters. So, one can see that Mr. and Mrs. Brennet were different in their attitude towards life. Comparison between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Kevin McCarthy As the role of the members of the US Congress or Legislature is to represent the public in Congress or Legislature, one can trace some similarities with the main characters of the novel Pride and Prejudice. For instance, Fitzwilliam Darcy represents the upper strata of British Society. At the same time, he had some prejudice against the middle class. Comparison between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Kevin McCarthy, the Congressman who represents the 22nd District of California makes clear that both of them possess some similarities in their character and goals. Both of them were born in wealthy families and represent the upper strata of the British and American society. But this does not prevent them from mingling with the lower classes of the society. For instance, Kevin McCarthy served as floor leader for the Republican Party and as State Assembly of California. On the other side, Darcy is a ready to help the Brennet family without any selfish motive. He even helped George Wickham, his enemy. So, both of them possess some similarities in their character and goal. Summing, the discussion based on the novel makes clear that Jane Austen makes use of a unique technique of storytelling to ridicule the faults of the rigid class system in 18th and 19th century British society. The comparison helps one to have clear idea on the main characters in the novel and the character/ goals of today’s politicians. In addition, the novel is helpful to have clear idea on Jane Austen’s writing style and the social condition of the British society in 18th and 19th centuries. References Austen, Jane. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The United States of America: Arc Manor LLC, 2008. Faye, Deirdre Le. Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels. Singapore: Frances Lincoln ltd, 2003. Morrison, Robert. Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice: a sourcebook. New York, NY: Routledge, 2005. Potter, George R. The New Cambridge Modern History. The Great Britain: CUP Archive, 1957. Read More