P+P #16

“Pride...is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is a very common failing indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it...” (12) Austen makes Darcy seem like a vain man right from the beginning of her novel. She gives the reader a first impression of Darcy, and lets the story go from there--giving her audience mainly just Elizabeth’s perspective. It is interesting that Mary, the least known of the five Bennet daughters, sets the stage for Darcy’s impressions. Austen convinces her audience of Darcy’s mishaps through Mary, who is known to be a reader and therefore assumed to be wise--making the opinions reliable.

P+P #15

“Jane and Elizabeth...urged him so earnestly...to receive her and her husband at Longbourn” (210). There are many words that Austen uses profoundly throughout her novel. Earnest, prudent, felicity, anxiety, perverse, pride, and prejudice are all unique words that I found are constantly used. These seven words summarize the main ideas and actions in Pride and Prejudice. The main characters are sincere and wise in overcoming prejudgment, concern, and stubbornness, to ultimately achieve happiness and honor. The author obtains the overall affect of the novel by continuously using all of these words.

P+P #14

“Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy” (258). Marriage is the fundamental ambition of the main characters in Pride and Prejudice. The entire novel revolves around the pursuit of matrimony; Elizabeth alone has three different suitors. It is fascinating that Austen never married herself, since marriage is such a common theme in her works. She refused offers of marriage, similar to Elizabeth, and was thought to have wanted to marry certain men. Her death at the age of 41 naturally ended any aspiration for Austen to become a married woman; she stayed unmarried, similar to her character Mary Bennet.

"Jane Austen." Books & Literature Classics. Web. 21 Mar. 2010. .

P+P #13

“It was agreed that he should be in London once more when the wedding took place, and all money matters were then to receive the last finish” (217). The plot of Pride and Prejudice is based off of the many travels that take place. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship develops from these excursions. The first main trip that Elizabeth takes (to London) leads to the refusal of marriage and Darcy’s letter of explanation. The second voyage ends up at Pemberley, where Elizabeth begins her admiration of Darcy. Darcy’s journey to London to make certain of Lydia and Wickham’s marriage finalizes Elizabeth’s affection for him. Austen purposely includes these expeditions to give her novel depth, allowing more events to take place and complete the story.

P+P #12

“Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure” (10). Social class was a central part of life in Jane Austen’s time period, Regency England. This era is considered to be from around 1790 to 1830, when Pride and Prejudice was published. The characters of the novel spend most of their time doing leisurely things; they never seem to have a considerable amount of work to do. Austen does not go into much detail of the lives of the lower-class and servants, mainly because the Bennet’s are a middle-class family. However, the obligation to draw a line between social classes is obvious, similar to the actions of the people during Regency England.

"Regency Taste in Architecture and Style. The World of Jane Austen Gentlewomen." Fashion History Costume Trends and Eras, Trends Victorians - Haute Couture. Web. 21 Mar. 2010. .

Image: http://hibiscus-sinensis.com/regency/index.htm

P+P #11

“To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it?” (24). In Austen’s time period, women were not supposed to go against the norms of society. Walking by herself through fields and dirt, Elizabeth certainly displays her independence--she goes all this way just to see that her sister is alright. Upon arriving at Netherfield, Elizabeth receives an instant reputation by the women at the house--one that continues throughout the novel. The men’s viewpoint is the exact opposite, however. They regard her actions with admiration for the affection she has towards her sister, and think that Elizabeth’s eyes “were brightened by the exercise.” Austen considers many similar gender differences for the duration of her whole novel.

P+P #10

“The younger son of an Earl can know very little of either” (125). An Earl was originally the head of a shire. During the late middle ages, Earls became the highest ranking behind princes, so by Austen’s time Earls were very powerful. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy are spoken of, by Elizabeth, as sons of an Earl--indicating the importance of social stature in the novel. Marriage to such high class is first mentioned to Elizabeth; she is initially “coloured” by the idea. Austen continuously flirts with the conception of marrying into the upper class, especially with the members of the Bennet family.

"Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournament Glossary of Terms." Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournaments Resource Library. Web. 20 Mar. 2010. .

Image: http://humphrysfamilytree.com/deVere/17th.earl.oxford.html

P+P #9

“The town where she had formerly passed some years of her life, and where they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great an object of her curiosity, as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dove Dale, or the Peak” (161). Austen creates a place that is more beautiful than the well recognized houses like Chatsworth. Chatsworth house has had many changes since its assembly in 1549, but drawings of the past masters are always kept in the house. Its grounds and mountains around it make it exclusive. Pemberley House in Pride and Prejudice is thought to have been inspired by such significant mansions like Chatsworth. Chatsworth house is even featured as Pemberley in the movie Pride and Prejudice. Austen augments Mr. Darcy’s status by insinuating that Pemberley is the finest in England.

"Chatsworth House Facts - Freebase." Freebase - A Wealth of Free Data. Web. 20 Mar. 2010. .

P+P #8

“The garden in which stands my humble abode, is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship’s residence” (45). Austen frequently describes scenes in her novel through dialogue. Her style of often using dialogue instead of narrating gives her work a unique touch. In this scenario, through Mr. Collins character, the author describes later scenes--where certain truths become revealed and the story changes. It is intriguing how important the dialogue becomes in setting the scene for the entire novel.

P+P #7

“It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain” (185). In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen created a romantic love story between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. While there are many other romances that occur, this relationship is the main focus. A common love story includes many complications. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship certainly goes through hardships, and the character’s perspectives change as the novel goes on. The underlying theme of this relationship, and of the novel, is the impact of first impressions. The first impressions that these two characters have of each other are destructive. Elizabeth sees Darcy as a proud and conceited man, while Darcy does not even consider a relationship. The entire novel is then based off of these first impressions, and the changing of character’s opinions of each other. The book ends as a true love story, the relationships are settled in a superb fashion.

P+P #6

“Whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to purchase” (10). The custom of families naming their house and other properties started in Britain. Originally only the upper class named their estates, castles, and halls. Eventually the middle and lower class families began giving names to their properties. Austen constantly alludes to this custom, helping to set her novel in this Britain era. The story is set in the period when mainly the higher class people named their homes; Mr. Bingley is of higher class.

"House Naming Guide - How to Name Your Home." House Signs, House Names, House Numbers, Property Markers, Address Plates & Door Number Plaques - Direct from the UK House Sign Makers. Web. 20 Mar. 2010. http://www.yoursigns.com/housenames-rules.html>.

P+P #5

“It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills;--and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance.” (163) Elizabeth instantly thinks highly of Pemberley House. The attributes are similar to Mr. Darcy’s characteristics. Mr. Darcy is known to be tall, handsome, and “standing well on rising ground,” or wealthy. He is “naturally” prominent and often like a “stone;” he is generally hard to read. Elizabeth visits the house not long after receiving a letter from Darcy explaining his good intentions. The letter gradually makes her think better of Darcy and by the time she arrives at Pemberley House she thinks “that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something.” The house itself, along with the events that occur at Pemberley, represent the improving relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

P+P #4

“His commendation of every thing would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property” (44). Fortunes were not large for the Austen family. Mr. Austen could not have offered ample amounts of money if his daughters were to have married--similar to Mr. Bennet and his five daughters in Pride and Prejudice. In 1805 Jane Austen’s father passed away, reducing the family income by a significant amount. Jane Austen again used circumstances from her life in her novel to bring a connection to the story; she was able to write with more emotion. The death of Mr. Bennet in Austen’s novel would have brought about similar circumstances; the mother and daughters would be left with very little.

"Jane Austen's Biography: Life (1775-1817) and Family." Jane Austen | The Republic of Pemberley. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. .

P+P #3

“If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one” (75). Elizabeth’s continued refusal of marriage to Mr. Collins is an example of doing what she pleases; she does not care what other people think of her. Although the author died many years before the Victorian age, she demonstrates a Victorian quality in her characterizations of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s attitude can even be distinguished as feministic for this era. There were not many key women figures during this time, but Austen gives Elizabeth the features needed to stand out as a significant main character. It is intriguing that Jane Austen, an ordinary woman, was a possible pioneer to the Victorian writers.

P+P #2

“‘It is wonderful,’--replied Wickham,--‘for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; --and pride has often been his best friend.” (55) Austen develops a dramatic effect to her novel. She gives her audience every reason to believe that Wickham is amiable and Mr. Darcy abominable. The reader discovers Wickham to be deceitful; everything he had pronounced Darcy to have been was false. Austen’s ability to make her audience like, or dislike, a character intensifies her novel--developing her character’s relationships in a way that is engaging to the readers.

P+P #1

“Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!” (7). Jane Austen seems to have connected her personal life with the lives of many of the characters in the novel. The five sisters in the Bennet family all have at least one similar quality to Jane Austen. Jane Bennet is the eldest, “most beautiful” of the sisters--perhaps suggesting potential jealously that Jane Austen had toward her older sister Cassandra. Austen’s lack of romantic relationships coincides with Elizabeth Bennet in the beginning of the novel, however they both are devoted to their elder sister. Jane Austen and her character Mary Bennet both admire reading. Austen and four of the sister characters, especially Lydia, all enjoy partying and dances. Kitty and Lydia’s relationship throughout most of the book strongly relates to Jane and Cassandra Austen’s relationship. Mrs. Austen, the mother, supposedly said that “if Cassandra’s head had been going to be cut off, Jane would have hers cut off too.” Jane Austen most likely portrayed her personal qualities within the five sisters; she gave each one a distinctive characteristic similar to her own life.

"Jane Austen's Biography: Life (1775-1817) and Family." Jane Austen | The Republic of Pemberley. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. .