Literary Techniques in Pride and Prejudice

The University of GeorgiaNino Avaliani

Tako TabatadzeMaka Megrelishvili

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a

single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." In the first sentence of the novel Jane Austen has cleverly done three things: the main idea of her work will be about courtship and marriage, she has declared a witty, humorous tone by taking a simple concept to discuss. This defining line also connects her literary work to the 18th century period because of the emphasis on man in his social environment rather than the man as an individual.

Pride and Prejudice is written in a Horatian satire. Her main object was to express the ignorance of

the people, reflecting common criticism of the 18th century. For example, Mrs. Bennet, a foolish woman who talks way too much and her only obsession in life is to get her daughters married.

Austen is able to convey such a complex message using a simple, yet witty, style.

Also, since Austen's work has personal feelings of the characters to be expressed throughout her novel, her writing can be classified as Romantic.

Writing Style

“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).

In the novel, Pride and Prejudice, Austen shows how women want to be married to wealthy men. Many times in the novel it is not the man seeking a wife, but the other way around. The entire novel is centered around marriage and the theme of love between two social classes that do not go together.

Irony

Jane Austen’s use of irony in Pride and Prejudice  showcase the flaws of her characters in a

lighthearted manner and this humorous manner is consistent throughout the novel.

“She was a woman of mean understanding, little

information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married…” (Austen 7).

“Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners” (Austen 11)

Austen’s use of characterization gives the reader a clear perception of their different characteristics. It also allows the reader to get to know the characters and ways they might react to situations soon to come.

Characterization

“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 color 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.

Imagery

“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.

Motifs

“The situation of your mother’s family, though

objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally by your father:-pardon me,-it pains me to offend you” (Austen 187).

One of the most present themes in the novel is love. The entire story is tied to the love between characters and their separation between social classes. This separation makes the love between some of the characters such as Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Mr. Bingley, socially unacceptable but their love is too powerful for them to care about the opinions of society.

Themes

“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.

Simile

“Oh, my dear Eliza! Pray make haste and

come into the dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen!” (Austen 152).

Jane Austen uses alliteration to put emphasis on certain sentences in the novel. These sentences stand out more that others because of the way they sound. Alliteration helps make the reader remember certain quotes such as the one above.

Alliteration

“ My situation in life, my connections with the family of De

Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favor; 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.

Satire

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 an 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).

Archetypes

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).

In Pride and Prejudice, the most obvious conflict is

between the two main characters. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy possess a strong sense of pride and prejudice which lead them to misunderstand one another. The two of them clash at social functions and they are determined to disagree with one another until this clash leads to a romantic tension. Their conflict started with misunderstandings and did not resolve until they were able to peel away their pride and prejudice to truly understand one another.

Conflict

“Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a

proposal; yet was really vexed that her mother should be always giving him such an epithet” (Austen 348).

Third Person Omniscient- The narration mainly resolves around Elizabeth but occasionally throughout the book the reader receives information about other characters that Elizabeth does not know about. Most of the novel is read in dialogue, opinions, and ideas but for Elizabeth, Austen gives more emotional insight then for the other characters. This is because the story is mainly about Elizabeth's feelings towards love and other people rather than hearing everyone else's opinions. The novel is about Elizabeth and is therefore written in third person omniscient so the reader is most often reading about Elizabeth's life.

Point of View

In Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, the writing

techniques and the structure are very unique from the literacy techniques that we would come across in today's writing methods. It really helps us get into character and makes us feel as if we're actually there in the scene of every chapter, watching from the perspective of a third ones. The second that the reader begins reading the novel, they automatically know that the book is written in an older time period in the past. The writing and styling's of the literacy are the reason that we feel so needed to keep reading the book. Jane Austen uses many different aspects of English and we think it's one of the bigger reasons that this novel is as amazing as it is. 

Thank you for your attention!