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Pride and Prejudice Notes:

Context - education:

Vast differences in opportunities for girls and boys

boys = educated privately at home by tutor or attend school

girls = upper daughter at home by mother or governess - much narrower scope for future

Mr Bennet's ironic detached stance on life

Mrs Bennet's unhelpful melodrama

Caused Bennet daughters to chose what taught and not have governess

Education for women a mere facilitator towards good marriage

"Such of us wished to learn, never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and has all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle, certainly might"

Masters teach girls accomplishments to make good value in evening circle e.g drawing, dancing, music.

Male centric purpose, to not bring pleasure instead to increase her attractiveness

Argue that female education not considered important in own right but instead for finacial security of good marriage

Context - love and relationships

Woman had purely passive role in marriage as to respond before and intentions were known was to risk ridicule of others or pain of disappointment.

At start of novel Jane failed to achieve balance and unintentionally suggested Mr Bingley's attentions were unwelcome - even later Darcy said he felt Jane was indifferent to Bingley.

Theme - pride:

Through Darcy Austen shows that those who learn through experience and reflection to evolve from excessive pride become better humans and potential for better happiness.

At start Darcy disdains others and exhibits un-gentlemanlike rudeness:

"she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me"

adjective tolerable objectifies Elizabeth in terms of her appearance suggesting its a quality not good enough for him

verb tempt implies smh view of own value and worth

His first proposal therefore surprise to Elizabeth but perhaps not to reader.

Through proposal its clear Darcy is torn between pride/ own worth and feeling to Elizabeth - embarrassment of lower class family.

"His sense of her inferiority - of its being a degradation - of the family obstacles which judgement had always opposed ... but was very unlikely to recommend his suit"

Austen switches to indirect speech to summaries conflicted feelings

Anaphora - repetition of "of" at start of successive clauses presents successive implicit criticisms of woman he confesses to love.

Omniscient narrator serves that his blunt pride is likely to reduce chance of accepted proposal.

Events of second half of novel present how Darcy has learnt and recognises value of humane decency and endevoures to become less proud human

He reflects on language of first proposal and tells Elizabeth "My behaviour to you at them time, had merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence."

Use of superlative "severest" and simple sentences show the extent to which Darcy has self-condemned following Elizabeths enlightenments.

Abhorrence is stronger than hatred - the strength of this language shows disgusted loathing and highlights Darcy's recognition of the value of humane decency over excessive pride and is rewarded with fulfilling marriage and partner who he can respect.

In Darcy Austen shows how evolution from excessive pride is rewarded BUT

In contrast excessively proud characters who remain static are satirised e.g Lady c and Mr collins.

Mr Collins - far too much self satisfaction and boastful of his rank as clergyman - humorous as an inferior rank to many.

Pompous letter sent to Mr Bennet who finds ridiculous.

He continuously makes reference to the "Right Honourable Lady Catherine De Bourgh" - idolises upper class

"It shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship"

Verb "demean" in 19th century had another meaning that was to behave or conduct oneself. However now understand it to be to cause to become less respected. Use of it is humorous and it unwittingly results to him revealing the ironic truth about his preoccupation and almost obsession with lady Catherine as Instead of raising him in eyes of society it exposes him as someone pathetically attracted to the glitter of wealth.

Whereas Darcy evolves Collins and Lady c remain static - narrowing their perspective in what is important in life.

Austen purposely satirises them to gently mock at their views.

"My reasons for marrying are..."

No reasons mention Elizabeth, self-centred and his unawareness that his tactics are unlikely to attract his proposed partner become amusing to reader

Systematic use of connectives "Firstly, secondly, thirdly" methodical not for love

Possessive pronoun "my" directly excludes the person he's marrying - Elizabeth and highlights his self obsession - amusing

Mr Collins had emasculating obsession with status

Excessive pride is howe to be unhealthy and inhumane

Those who do not learn from pride are mocked and often unhappy wheres as those who learn are happier and more rounded humans

Theme - prejudice:

Austen shows its just as impotent to learn from past prejudices as from excessive pride - Lizzy.

Elizabeth needs to re-evalutae her own ability to make correct judgments.

At start she decides Mr Darcy is proud and Mr Wickham is charming and good natured.

"(mr Wickham) s the most agreeable man i ever saw - and if he becomes really attached to me - i believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it - Oh! That abominable Mr Darcy! - "

Elizabeths fragmented, jagged syntax implies her blurred vision. She switches abruptly as shown through repeated dashes and exclamations which illustrate the fact she is unable to think clearly with full clarity about either male. Judgement has become impaired through social and sexual delight in Wickham's company.

In the middle of the novel Darcy's letter forces Elisabeth to recognise previous prejudices.

Her gradual removal of all former prejudices ultimately leading her to love and a happy and more equal relationship with a man who's been on a similar journey.

Theme - Family:

Although now we express ourselves individually in Austens time families were closely integrated and viewed collectively as shown through novel.

Jane and Elizabeth continually embarrassed by mother and younger sisters.

Mrs Bennet is frequently overbearing which causes her to overstep the boundries of propriety and ironically hinders her sole business of getting her daughters married.

"Mrs Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue when remunerating the advantages of the match"

Loudly boasts about forthcoming marriage when not announced

Austen uses indirect speech - against social norm and strongly frowned upon.

Elizabeths high levels of embarrassment

Mrs Bennet's words are costly and imply her misplaced pride in her won position. As are low class and will have no money or property when Mr Bennet dies. "What is Mr Darcy to me, pray, that i should be afraid of him?"

Inappropriate behaviour by family matters affects you and can be costly particularly if family doesn't have much money as could ruin own chance - Dacry takes Bingley away to remove him from the temptation of an imprudent marriage.

In Elizabeths eyes lydia's family scandal will ruin any chances of her successful marriage or financial stability.

"Everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness such an assurance of the deepest disgrace"

Idea that its referred to a family weakness - implication clear that affects everyone

superlative 'deepest' suggests nothing could shame the family more than the disregard for societal norms.

Darcy's bribe to make Wickham marry Lydia shows his acceptance of family responsibility and his own love for Elizabeth as ensuring a future relationship between him and Elizabeth is possible.

Themes - Marriage:

Austen shows the frighteningly essential importance of marriage for women - depend on it for social and financial survival.

Although Mrs Bennet target of Austen satire - reader can recognise that obsession for finding husbands stems from small appreciation of necessity of marriage for future. Way she goes about it that is bad and absent mocks not her aims.

Austen satirises Mrs Bennet's lack of judgement and prudence

"Oh, my dear ... i cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man."

Although readers sympathise with mrs Bennet's worries her hysterical, dramatic imperative "pray..." filled with unhelpful self-pity - humour.

In presentation of Mrs Bennet Austen uses her understandable concerns about her daughters to satirise ignorant lack of reason and judgement.

Austen uses her own relationship with Mr Bennet to spotlight the problems of marrying for the wrong reasons. As throughout novel clear that Mr Bennet doesn't take her seriously and responds to her irrational outburst with ironic comments - amusing to reader but Mrs Bennet doesn't get.

"It certainly is a most iniquitous affair ... and nothing can clear Mr Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn" - What Mr Bennet sad prior to reading out Mr collins letter, following his wifes bitter comments on Mr collins being heir to Longbourn.

Superlative 'most iniquitous' (extremely wrong/unfair) shows flippant tone. Provoke humour for reader but later Austen makes clear Mr bennet is unhappy and excluding the first few months regrets his marriage - wasn't for love.

Austen shows through their marriage that intelligent men marrying beautiful but ignorant women doesn't work "captivated by youth and beauty ... had married woman whose weak understanding had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection"

​​​​​​​Furthermore Mr bennet suggests that misery awaits those who marry without potential for mental link as at end of novel says "My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life"

Darcy and Elizabeth genuinely respect each other's mind and Darcy doesn't want a passive wife but instead someone who has liveliness.

End of novel suggest should aim to combine practical consideration about money and social status with genuine intellectual connection with partner.

Austen recognises such a combination is not always obtainable and that marriages that are solely to achieve security may not be entirely miserable but are not the preferred.