Opening in Pride and Prejudice

Opening in Pride and Prejudice

1. It introduces the main themes

   • Social etiquette
     • Doesn't agree with social etiquette envolving relationships marriage
       • "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
         • Example of sarcasm
         • Sets the novel in motion
         • She is also stating the opposite is true , by saying that a single woman who finds a man with a good fortune must want to marry, which we discover later in the novel
     • Century period (regency period)
   • Love and marriage
     • "Happiness in marriage is purely a matter of chance"
       • General thought of the public at that time
     • "Is he married or single?"
       • One of the first questions Mrs B asks about Bingley
         • Shows Austens views on society, obsessed with getting with people
         • She doesn't ask anything about his personality, showing how personality doesn't seem to come into accounts in the people at the times eyes as reflected by Austen
   • Money
     • "£5000 a year"
       • Said by Mrs Bennet without asking about him as a person
         • Austen showing us through Mrs B how she feels people act towards relationships
   • First Impressions
     • Original title of book
     • "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to temp me"
     • "...since then I have thought of her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance"

2. We meet the main characters for the first time

   • The Bennets
     • Jane
       • Direct contrast to Lizzie
         • Similarities suggest similar paths for them
         • Differences suggest different reasons for outcomes
       • Based on relationship Austen had with her sister
     • Elizabeth
       • Sharpest and most clever
       • Very close to Jane
     • Mr Bennet
       • "so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve and caprice
     • Mrs Bennet
       • "mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper
       • Relationship with Mr B is an exaggeration of Jane and Elizabeth
     • Lydia

3. Austens Intentions

   • Show us first impressions aren't always right
     • Elizabeth and Darcy
     • Mr Wickham
   • You shouldn't discriminate against people because of their backgrounds
   • There's more to a relationships that material/physical values
     • Although Elizabeth only fell in love with Darcy because of his house
       • His house reflects him rather than his money
     • Charlotte was unhappy with Mr Collins
     • Although in the regency period it was the main reason for marrying