Skip to main content

The Domestic Novel and Themes of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"

Introduction

Jane Austen's domestic novels are renowned for their intricate exploration of everyday life. With a keen eye for satire, Austen exposes the attitudes prevalent in the rural middle and upper-middle classes. In Pride and Prejudice, she centers the story on the Bennett sisters, delving into their domestic lives and aspirations. Elizabeth, Jane, and their siblings navigate the complexities of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. Austen's insightful portrayal of the Bennett family offers a captivating glimpse into the ordinary yet captivating world of the middle class, making Pride and Prejudice a timeless masterpiece. 

 Domestic Life: Exploring Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s novels have rightly been called domestic novels. For one thing, 'She never goes out of the parlor' and chooses to work with two or three families in a small village as her source material. Thus, in Pride and Prejudice, she primarily delves into the domestic life and aspirations of the Bennet family, with some focus on the Lees as well. These are ordinary middle-class people with nothing extraordinary or exceptional about them. The novel satirizes the attitudes of the rural middle and upper-middle classes. Austen centers her story around the Bennett daughters: Elizabeth, Jane, and Lydia. Elizabeth, a spirited girl, holds a 'prejudice' against the wealthy landowner Fitzwilliam Darcy, scorning his lofty attitudes and pride. In the first excerpt, Darcy visits Elizabeth and her friend Charlotte under the mistaken belief that all the ladies of the house are present. In the second excerpt, Elizabeth accuses Darcy of sabotaging her sister Jane's engagement to Bingley, Jane's fiancé. However, upon receiving a letter of explanation from Darcy, Elizabeth recognizes the errors in her judgment and discovers faults in her own nature. Thus, the action revolves around the everyday occurrences of visits, dinners, and occasional balls. However, such is the art of the novelist that even this homely material is treated dramatically and made gripping, capturing our interest.

The Husband Hunt: Unraveling the Drama of Pride and Prejudice

The central theme of Pride and Prejudice the husband hunting campaign of Mrs. Benet and Mrs. Lucas, the mother of marriageable daughters. The action centers round their efforts to secure suitable husbands for their daughters, and out of this simple theme the novelist weaves a drama of the highest order.

There arise stress and strains and conflicts   which give roe to pathos, to tragedy, and to comedy of the highest order. And within that drama involve Darcy-Elizabeth main plot, Jane-Bingley sub plot, Lydia-Wickham episode and Collins -charlotte’s episode. We find the clash of pride but in the course of the novel, the folly both of pride and prejudice has been exposed, and as a result shored off. 

The Clash of Pride and the Exposure of Folly

In Pride and Prejudice, the clash of pride creates a tumultuous landscape, revealing the inherent folly within characters. The story is fraught with stress, strains, and conflicts that test relationships to their limits. Through this emotional journey, pathos, tragedy, and comedy intertwine, offering a multifaceted exploration of human experiences. As the plot unfolds, the novel masterfully exposes the folly of pride and prejudice, shedding light on the flaws that hinder genuine connections and understanding. In this captivating tale, Jane Austen skillfully highlights the consequences of unchecked pride, inviting readers to reflect on their own biases and discover the transformative power of humility and open-mindedness.

Elevating the Everyday: Austen's Artistry

Austen's artistry lies in her ability to elevate the ordinary aspects of everyday life into gripping drama. Through her skillful storytelling, common exchanges, simple dinners, and even the occasional ball become captivating moments. She weaves the fabric of ordinary lives with such finesse that the readers are drawn into the intricacies of the characters' experiences. With her keen observations and wit, Austen transforms the mundane into something extraordinary, capturing the essence of human nature and societal dynamics. In this way, she creates a world where even the homeliest of matters hold the power to engage and enthrall.

Conclusion

 Pride and Prejudice stands as a remarkable novel of the highest caliber. Through its exploration of domestic life, marriage, and societal critique, Jane Austen weaves a captivating tale. The journey of the characters reveals profound reflections and personal growth, as they confront their pride and prejudices. With its timeless themes and intricate storytelling, this novel continues to resonate with readers, offering valuable insights into human nature and the complexities of relationships. Pride and Prejudice remains a testament to Austen's exceptional ability to craft engaging narratives that delve into the depths of the ordinary, leaving a lasting impact on literature and our understanding of ourselves.

Answer the Questions-
  1. Comment on the title of the novel?
  2. What is the limitation of Jane Austen as a novelist?
  3. What kind of person is Mary Bennet, the middle daughter? What makes her unique in the family? Can she be considered a satirical character? Why or why not?
  4. What is Mr. Collins's main motive for getting married?
  5. When Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins's proposal, Elizabeth is shocked and angry. Why?
Ardhendu De
Reference
1.Pride and prejudice : Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/prideprejudice00aust

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Drop any query, suggestion or comment here.

Other Fat Writing

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Preface to Shakespeare": Points to Remember

E ighteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson ((1709-1784) is one of the most significant figures in English literature. His fame is due in part to a widely read biography of him, written by his friend James Boswell and published in 1791. Although probably best known for compiling his celebrated dictionary, Johnson was an extremely prolific writer who worked in a variety of fields and forms. Chief Critical Approaches of Dr. Johnson are: Johnson tried teaching and later organized a school in Lichfield. His educational ventures were not successful, however, although one of his students, David Garrick, later famous as an actor, became a lifelong friend.
40 comments
Read more

Kinds of Poetry: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic

Introduction: Poetry is a form of literary expression that has captivated readers and listeners for centuries. It allows poets to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a condensed and artistic manner. While there are countless poetic forms and styles, poetry can be broadly categorized into three main kinds: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Each of these kinds has distinct characteristics, purposes, and examples that showcase the rich diversity within the world of poetry. Kinds of poetry :  There are three great kinds of poetic writing: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Narrative poetry: Narrative poetry tells a story with a plot, characters, and a setting. It  is one of the oldest and most straightforward forms of poetry. It tells a story, often in a chronological sequence, using poetic devices to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Some key points about narrative poetry include: Storytelling: Narrative poetry focuses on storytelling, using poetic language to c...
1 comment
Read more

Analysis of "Progress" by St. John Ervine as One Act Play

"Peace hath her victories No less renowned than war."- John Milton  (1608 - 1674)   Letters of State...Together with Several of his Poems ,  "To Oliver Cromwell" “Progress” by St. John Greer Ervine is a successful specimen of a one act play . It has not only a unity of theme (the abolition of war) the unities of time; place and action are also meticulously maintained. Thematically, “Progress”     is written against the background of the First World War in which thousands were butchered and many more became disabled for life. It left many mothers    childless and incredible number of widows and orphans. This insensible devastation has created diverse reactions in social thinking, and “Progress” by the Irish playwright St. John Greer Ervine is just the product of one of the strongest of these sentiments, namely the anti-war feeling of the post war modern age .  Through the basic conflict between two ideas- the point of view of ...
10 comments
Read more