Pride & Prejudice
'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife'
Introduces the central theme in the novel - marraige and its importance and connection with money and property
'the experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character'
Mr and Mrs Bennet:
- Opens with a marraige that is clearly not a happy one
- Through Mr Bennet's teasing of Mrs Bennet the narrator makes it clear that the husband and wife are incompatible
- Highlights that they most likely got married for financial benefit instead of love which is evidenced through Mrs Bennet's reaction
Who is the narrator speaking about? 'a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper'
Mrs Bennet
What does Austen say is Mrs Bennet's 'business' (p.3)?
Her one concern in life is to see her 5 daughters married, it is her 'business'. She takes this very seriously because after Mr Bennet's death, her and her daughters will be homeless if they do not gain their own establishments
Who lives at Longbourne?
The Bennets
How does Austen use characteristic speech rhythms in chapters 1-2?
- To present the characters personalities through their speech
e.g. Mrs Bennet tends towards exclamations and assertions, while Mr Bennet usually seems to prefer calm statements: 'You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves'
How do the Bennets, Bingleys and Mr Darcy meet? When in the novel?
At the Meryton Assembly (a ball) in chapters 3-5
What happens between Elizabeth and Darcy when they first meet?
Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth
Elizabeth overhears Darcy describing her as 'tolerable but not handsome enough to temp me'
Who else at the Meryton Assembly discusses the character of Mr Darcy?
The younger Lucases and Bennets
Name the perspectives we are shown that Mr Darcy is viewed in in chapters 3-5
- Neighbourhood opinion
- Elizabeth's opinion
- Conversations between friends
- Facts from the narrator
'Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person... and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.'
- 'within 5 minutes' shows how quickly word spread in that time and evidences why the characters worry about their reputations and social standing throughout the novel
- £10,000 in that time was the equivilent of around £20 million, the narrator quickly impliments his position in society by mentioning this figure so that the reader can see how people of that class believed they were superior and helps us to understand Darcy's character
'I could easily forgive his pride if he had not mortified mine!'
- Elizabeth is clever enough to realise that a bad first impression may lead to prejudice but does not necessarily act on it.
'His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world'
- Austen uses the social setting of the Meryton Ball to show how changeable and how harsh the public opinion can be.
- The structure of the short sentence highlights this harshness.
- Her exaggerative language 'most' 'in the world' shows how things can be blown out of proportion when gossip is shared amongst a community.
'i would not wish to be too hasty in censuring any one'
- This presents Jane's pride and how it contrasts Elizabeth's.
- It shows that she is well-tempered and considerate
How does Darcy shock Caroline Bingley in Chapter 6?
By telling her that he admires Elizabeth's 'fine eyes'
What is the purpose of Charlotte Lucas & Elizabeth's conversation about Jane's relationship with Bingley?
- On the surface, it's a gossip between friends
- Charlotte uses words such as 'disadvantage' , 'opportunity', 'fixing', 'secure' which reveal her hard-headed, strategic approach to getting married.
- Whilst Elizabeth says "It is better to be patient and sure of one's feelings before committing to a marriage." highlighting her opinion that marraige is a more emotional and intimate commitment
When does Darcy's opinion of Elizabeth change and how does Austen present this?
- In chapter 6 when the Bingley sisters visit the Bennet sisters at the Lucases' house for an evening of music and dancing.
- Austen positions herself in the characters head and uses body language to convey their thoughts e.g in this chapter, Darcy is 'caught' by the 'easy playfulness' of Elizabeth's manners and is drawn towards her, almost against his will
Who lives in Netherfield?
The Bingleys
What happens after the arrival of the Militia in Meryton?
- Their arrival introduces a new element into the neighbourhood. Their presence brings fun for the younger girls especially since they see them as a perfect man for a husband
- Their arrival also highlights Mrs Bennets ruthlessness in her schemes to get her daughters married. Her shallow character and stupidity which she unknowingly makes clear to the officers is incredibly embarrasing for her family
When and why is Elizabeth forced to spend time with the Bingley household?
In Chapter 7, Jane falls ill and Elizabeth walks across fields to join her at Netherfield. She remains at Netherfield to care for Jane and gets to know the family better.
Why did Jane fall ill in Chapter 7?
The Bingley sisters invited Jane to dine at Netherfield. Instead of travelling in the carraige as Jane requested, her mother insists she goes on horseback so that she would be forced to stay if it rained, she contracted a cold on her travels due to the poor weather.
Why does Austen write about how the Bingley sisters are shocked by Elizabeth's muddy skirt?
- To highlight how Caroline Bingley wants to embarrass Elizabeth to impress Mr Darcy
- To show the divide between classes
- To present Elizabeth's unique character
'Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by [Elizabeth]'
- 'Bewitched' is a surprising choice of words for Mr Darcy as it contrasts his rational and strong-minded character we have seen so far in the novel
- Suggests that Darcy is not as fully in control of his emotions as he likes to think he is
'arts and allurements'
- Lady Catherine accuses Elizabeth of using 'arts and allurements' to attract Darcy
- It is insulting because it suggests that no one could fall in love with Elizabeth simply for what she is because of her class
- Suggests Darcy is not as fully in control of his emotions as he likes to think he is
'the inferiority of her connections'
- Mr Darcy is describing how he assumes he will nit let the relationship between him and Elizabeth develop any further because of her class