Irony- The intended or literal meaning of words is different from their actual meaning.
Example 1
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1).
Example of irony because in the late 18th century women were more dependent on their husbands then vice versa. This statement is ironic because in the novel, it is not the man seeking a woman, but the other way around. Women in this society, especially those of lower classes, were almost obsessed with finding a man who could allow them a comfortable lifestyle. The novel as a whole is about love between people of different classes in society.
Example 2
In Chapter 3, Mr. Darcy remarks that Lizzie is "Tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me." That quote is an example of situational irony because Mr. Darcy ends up falling in love with Lizzie by the end of novel, thus producing an outcome that is different than what is anticipated.
Motifs
“To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whenever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone... I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that this adventure has rather affected her fine eyes” (Austen 36).
In Pride and Prejudice, journeys are reoccurring elements that most commonly represent a change in the novel. Most scenes take place indoors, but when characters are outdoors it is most likely for a change to occur. In the scene above, after Elizabeth’s long journey Darcy’s emotions have begun to change and he is beginning to like her.
Simile
“Your profusion makes me saving; and if you lament over him much longer, my heart will be as light as a feather” (Austen 211).
In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen uses few similes throughout the novel. The similes she does use show exaggeration within them and most commonly are associated with emotions and feelings towards other characters. The similes help give a better understanding of how the characters are feeling in the exact moments.
Imagery- Language that brings to mind sensory impressions.
“Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush” (Austen 235).
Jane Austen uses imagery to show characters emotions or reactions to events. To give the reader a sense of how the characters are feeling she describes the colour and look on their faces giving a clear perception of what is going on in the current situation. Imagery is one of her most common literary techniques.
“Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.” (Austen, 178)
The description of the yard that you can see through the window creates a powerful image in the readers mind of how the yard would actually look.
In one scene, Mr. Collins visits with the Bennett daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, 'while Mrs. Bennett was stirring the fire.' This image of the fire being stoked is significant because it suggests that Mr. Collins' passions are being aroused. In the company of the Bennett women, Mr. Collins is overcome with desire--mostly for Elizabeth.
The subtle comparison of Mr. Collins to the fire also suggests the character's consuming qualities. Readers learn that he is very greedy, and only pursuing the Bennett fortune.
Alliteration
“Oh, my dear Eliza! Pray make haste and come into the dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen!” (Austen 152).
Austen uses alliteration in her novel in order to emphasize certain thoughts or actions. This causes certain sentences to stand out to the reader and help them remember important parts of the story.
Satire-Used in many works of literature to show foolishness or vice in humans, organizations, or even governments - it uses sarcasm, ridicule, or irony.
Example 1
“You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, your refusal of my addresses are merely words of course. My reasons for believing it are merely these:-It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment that I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take that it into further consideration that, in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you” (Austen 104).
When Elizabeth declines Mr. Collins offer of proposal she is satirizing the social belief that women will accept any offer to marriage. Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins offer because she doesn't love him and disproves the statement at the beginning of the novel saying that women are in want of a man with good fortune. It's satirical when Elizabeth denies Mr. Collins offer and makes him look ridiculous because she is denying an offer that would make her whole family happy, except for Mr. Bennet. The marriage would guarantee her money and a good home.
Example 2
"But before I am run away with my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying--and moreover for coming to Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did." (Vol. 1, chp. 19, pg. 96)
Mr. Collins proposal to Elizabeth is a satire because how he does it and what he says gives comic relief to the reader but also reveals traits about that character.
Example 3
In chapter 49, it is revealed that Lydia will be marrying Wickham for a settlement of money, which will be paid by Lydia's uncle. When Mrs. Bennet hears the news, she begins panicking about what Lydia will wear to her own wedding, and making a big deal about the wedding clothes. This is satirizing the idea that weddings fix everything, and that being married is the only thing that matters.
Archetypes
Hero: Mr. Darcy-He resolves the issues in the novel. He helps Mr. Wickham with his debt so that Lydia doesn't disgrace her whole family by running away with him. “This is an evening of wonders, indeed! And so, Darcy did every thing; made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow’s debts, and got him his commission!” (Austen 350).
Villain: Mr. Wickham-He has history of being a evil man. He ran away with a young girl and planned to marry her just so he could have her money. He then tried to do the same with Lydia but Mr. Darcy pays off his debt for him, just for Elizabeth. “Mr. Wickham’s chief object was unquestionably my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement” (Austen 191).
Father Figure: Mr. Bennet-He tries to do what is right for his family and keep them from getting into trouble. Austen makes it known he is very close to Elizabeth and she must ask him to marry Mr. Darcy. Because Mr. Bennet realizes Elizabeth truly loves Mr. Darcy he feels it is a good choice and she will be treated well and safe. He often gives advice. “But let me advise you to think better of it. I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you are truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage” (Austen 349).
The innocent: Mr. Bingley-He is naive and believes what he is told. When Mr. Darcy tricks him into leaving Jane he believes it is because she doesn't like him but it is actually because Mr. Darcy feels she is not right for him. Much because of their separate social classes. “But Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgment than on his own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived himself was no very difficult point” (Austen 188).
Hyperbole: A specific words or phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce grader.
"I am sure," she added, "if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world-..." (Vol.1, chp. 4, pg. 36-37)
This is an example of hyperbole because Mrs. Bennet is exaggerating about Jane's illness when she just has a common head cold and Mrs. Bennet makes it seem like she's on her death bed.
Personification- Giving human qualities to a non living object
“It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground….” (Austen, 163)
Personification is shown because a house is a non living thing but it is being called handsome and it is said that it is standing on the hill.
Euphemism: A nice way of saying something mean.
"Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme; assuring him that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt;.." (Vol. 1, chp. 18, pg. 89)
In this statement the reader can see that Mr. Collins lacks manners and Austen describes it as "impertinent freedom".
Allusion: A figure of speech that makes a reference to a place, person, or something that happened.
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy." (Vol. 1, chp. 9, pg. 39) "Food of love" was a line written by Shakespeare in "Twelfth Night".
Symbolism
There are three obvious examples of symbolism in Pride and Prejudice. They are
CLASS: symbols include (number of) horses and carriages (cousin has to hire a single horse chaise but Mr. Darcy drives his own carriage pulled by a matching set of 4 horses); clothing (Mr Bingley’s sisters sneer at the Bennett girls’ clothes); property/land/buildings (Mr. Darcy has the biggest and best); geographical location (Miss Bennett stays in the poorer area of London when she visits - Cheapside); membership of clubs and hobbies such as sword-fighting indicate prestige; invitations.
POWER: the most power is usually held by the wealthiest man - see above. However, Mr. Bingley’s sisters assume power through accomplishments (the pinaforte), and clothing. Elizabeth Bennett’s power (her wit and individuality) is symbolised through her books, and her muddy clothing. Darcy’s godmother uses her relations as symbols of power.
GENDER ASSUMPTIONS: symbols such as property, horses, clothing (officer’s cloaks) - all symbolise masculinity. Symbols such as embroidery, ‘’feminine’’ clothing, the pinaforte (piano), paying off would-be suitors, Mrs. Bennett’s ‘’nerves’’ and her ‘’smelling salts’ are all symbols of cultural assumptions about femininity.
Comments