Part Two: Style

Source: Wikipedia

Hello, and welcome to my second blog post for Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen. I am about halfway through the novel, and so, have noticed some key details that make this book so unique and such a classic. In this post, I will explain the stylistic elements chosen by the author, specifically looking at the formatting and irony that she chooses to include. Hope you enjoy reading!

❦ Part Two: A Look at the Stylistic Choices ❦

A major aspect of Pride and Prejudice is the subtle irony displayed throughout the novel. Marriage is a very frequent motif in this novel, but is also used more specifically when connecting to the theme. Often, to display the theme of marriage not being an act of love, Austen chooses to include loveless marriages and ironically describing it as "love".

For example, an important part of this section's reading is the part when Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth declines his offer because she does not fancy him. This is a reasonable answer, for Mr. Collins is not a sensible man, and Elizabeth knows that she won't make him happy-- additionally, he is her cousin, but it doesn't seem as much of an issue based on the time period.

Where the irony comes is within Mr. Collins' quick rebound. The next morning, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth's friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas. Miss Lucas accepts his offer "solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment" (91). Essentially, Miss Lucas' reasoning for marrying Mr. Collins is because of a minor interest in wanting to live in a nice house.

 Talk about a perfect love story.

Frequently, the "love" between Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas is shown at very exaggerated and ironic lengths. Mr. Collins is said to have "[His time] spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity" (102) with Miss Lucas, despite the fact that:
          1. Miss Lucas does not truly love him 
          2. Mr. Collins had proposed to another woman the day before.

Austen chooses to include this irony because it shows how the two think that they love each other, but do not actually love each other. This example adds to the repeating criticism of love not being actual love, but being a mutual agreement based on personal benefits. Additionally, while adding to Austen's theme for the novel, this passage displays how she does it using these important stylistic choices of motifs and irony.

Another part of Austen's style that makes it unique is through the selected point of view. Austen chooses to use third person omniscient, which allows for the reader to enter the minds of the characters, even if it reveals some flaws. My favorite example of this, in particular, is when the wedding between Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas is announced, and secretly, it is revealed that "Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live" (91). Minor examples like these add deeper dimensions to the characters, and occasionally, add a bit of humor to the story.

More importantly, the use of third person omniscient to show the thinking of characters also reflects the complexity of that character. Elizabeth, the main character, is shown having a complex thinking process because it also represents how she is seen by others as being smart and different from the other frivolous characters. For example, when Mr. Darcy suddenly proposes to Elizabeth, her thoughts are revealed:

"In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger." (138)

Elizabeth's internal reaction is shown here in the appropriate complexity. Her thoughts are complicated because unlike the others, she is sensible and highly values her own love.

To contrast such complexity: "[Mr. Hurst] was thinking only of his breakfast" (25).

Now that I am halfway through the novel, I have begun to really appreciate the subtle humor shown throughout. I look forward to seeing how Mr Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship will develop because she rejected his marriage proposal. Thanks for reading my blog post!
-Lily

Citations:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. The Modern Library, 2000.