JANE AUSTEN
LIFE
Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, in 1775. Her father was the rector of
the local church. She spent her life within the circle of her a ectionate family, educated at
home by her father. Her sister Cassandra was her lifelong companion. She showed an
interest in literature at an early age: her earliest writings date from 1787.
After her father's death, the family settled in Chawton, a small country village, where she
produced her most mature works. She died in 1817. Her main works include:
Northanger Abbey (written 1798, published posthumously), Sense and Sensibility
(1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mans eld Park (1814), Emma (1816), and
Persuasion (1818, after her death).
HER STYLE
From the 18th-century novelists, Austen learnt deep insight into the psychology of
characters, the use of ordinary events of life (balls, walks, tea-parties, visits) as
narrative material, the omniscient narrator, the technique of dialogue, and the use of
verbal and situational irony.
Her novels are written in the third person. Passions and emotions are rarely expressed
directly. Characters reveal themselves mainly through dialogue and action rather than
through explicit description.
THE NOVEL OF MANNERS
Jane Austen is the undisputed master of the novel of manners. The premise of this genre
is that there is a vital relationship between manners, social behaviour, and character.
Her novels are set within upper- and middle-class society. Class distinctions strongly
in uence character and behaviour. Social occasions — visits, balls, teas — serve as
occasions where characters meet and reveal themselves.
The central themes are marriage, and the complications of love and friendship. Austen's
values are property, decorum, money, and marriage. Her England is based on the
possession of land, parks, and country houses. Marriage is presented as a result of
growing social mobility, and the so-called "marriage market" takes place in London,
Bath, and seaside resorts.
THE THEME OF LOVE
In Austen's novels, passions are rarely expressed openly. There is a constant concern
with the analysis of character and conduct. The romantic element always ends happily:
the hero and heroine eventually marry.
The narrative focuses on the steps through which the protagonists reach personal
judgement and moral autonomy.
fl fi ff
, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
PLOT
The novel is set in Longbourn, Hertfordshire. The central family is that of Mr and Mrs
Bennet and their ve daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, and Kitty. Mr Bingley, a
rich bachelor, rents the large nearby estate of Nether eld Park and falls in love with Jane
Bennet.
His proud, aristocratic friend Mr Darcy is attracted to Elizabeth, who cultivates a dislike
for him. Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects him, accusing him of separating
Jane and Bingley, and of ill-treating a young o cer, Mr Wickham. Darcy writes a letter
revealing that Wickham is a dishonest adventurer. Wickham then elopes with Lydia;
Darcy secretly nds them and arranges their marriage. Elizabeth, her prejudice
overcome, accepts Darcy's renewed proposal. Bingley and Jane also marry.
THEMES
The main themes of the novel are: the relationship between the individual and society;
the con ict between personal desires and social responsibility; the use of freedom
and its consequences; wealth, decorum, and propriety; the journey towards self-
awareness; and love, courtship, and marriage.
MARRIAGE IN THE NOVEL
Marriage is presented from several perspectives: in terms of security and independence
(Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins); arising out of physical infatuation (Lydia and Wickham;
Mr and Mrs Bennet); or containing elements of both love and prudence (Jane and
Bingley; Elizabeth and Darcy).
ELISABETH AND DARCY
Elizabeth Bennet has a lively mind and a strong spirit of independence. She is capable
of complex impressions and ideas, and refuses to accept the roles that her family or
society tries to impose on her. She accuses Darcy of pride.Fitzwilliam Darcy knows the
principles of right conduct, but is sel sh and unsociable.
He is prejudiced by his upbringing and is disgusted by the vulgar behaviour of
Elizabeth's mother and younger sisters. He accuses Elizabeth of prejudice — hence the
title Pride and Prejudice. The two characters are opposite in many ways, and it is
precisely this contrast that drives the narrative. Through a gradual change in their main
personality traits, they reach a balance and reconciliation of the themes they
represent.
fl fi fi fi ffi fi
LIFE
Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, in 1775. Her father was the rector of
the local church. She spent her life within the circle of her a ectionate family, educated at
home by her father. Her sister Cassandra was her lifelong companion. She showed an
interest in literature at an early age: her earliest writings date from 1787.
After her father's death, the family settled in Chawton, a small country village, where she
produced her most mature works. She died in 1817. Her main works include:
Northanger Abbey (written 1798, published posthumously), Sense and Sensibility
(1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mans eld Park (1814), Emma (1816), and
Persuasion (1818, after her death).
HER STYLE
From the 18th-century novelists, Austen learnt deep insight into the psychology of
characters, the use of ordinary events of life (balls, walks, tea-parties, visits) as
narrative material, the omniscient narrator, the technique of dialogue, and the use of
verbal and situational irony.
Her novels are written in the third person. Passions and emotions are rarely expressed
directly. Characters reveal themselves mainly through dialogue and action rather than
through explicit description.
THE NOVEL OF MANNERS
Jane Austen is the undisputed master of the novel of manners. The premise of this genre
is that there is a vital relationship between manners, social behaviour, and character.
Her novels are set within upper- and middle-class society. Class distinctions strongly
in uence character and behaviour. Social occasions — visits, balls, teas — serve as
occasions where characters meet and reveal themselves.
The central themes are marriage, and the complications of love and friendship. Austen's
values are property, decorum, money, and marriage. Her England is based on the
possession of land, parks, and country houses. Marriage is presented as a result of
growing social mobility, and the so-called "marriage market" takes place in London,
Bath, and seaside resorts.
THE THEME OF LOVE
In Austen's novels, passions are rarely expressed openly. There is a constant concern
with the analysis of character and conduct. The romantic element always ends happily:
the hero and heroine eventually marry.
The narrative focuses on the steps through which the protagonists reach personal
judgement and moral autonomy.
fl fi ff
, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
PLOT
The novel is set in Longbourn, Hertfordshire. The central family is that of Mr and Mrs
Bennet and their ve daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, and Kitty. Mr Bingley, a
rich bachelor, rents the large nearby estate of Nether eld Park and falls in love with Jane
Bennet.
His proud, aristocratic friend Mr Darcy is attracted to Elizabeth, who cultivates a dislike
for him. Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects him, accusing him of separating
Jane and Bingley, and of ill-treating a young o cer, Mr Wickham. Darcy writes a letter
revealing that Wickham is a dishonest adventurer. Wickham then elopes with Lydia;
Darcy secretly nds them and arranges their marriage. Elizabeth, her prejudice
overcome, accepts Darcy's renewed proposal. Bingley and Jane also marry.
THEMES
The main themes of the novel are: the relationship between the individual and society;
the con ict between personal desires and social responsibility; the use of freedom
and its consequences; wealth, decorum, and propriety; the journey towards self-
awareness; and love, courtship, and marriage.
MARRIAGE IN THE NOVEL
Marriage is presented from several perspectives: in terms of security and independence
(Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins); arising out of physical infatuation (Lydia and Wickham;
Mr and Mrs Bennet); or containing elements of both love and prudence (Jane and
Bingley; Elizabeth and Darcy).
ELISABETH AND DARCY
Elizabeth Bennet has a lively mind and a strong spirit of independence. She is capable
of complex impressions and ideas, and refuses to accept the roles that her family or
society tries to impose on her. She accuses Darcy of pride.Fitzwilliam Darcy knows the
principles of right conduct, but is sel sh and unsociable.
He is prejudiced by his upbringing and is disgusted by the vulgar behaviour of
Elizabeth's mother and younger sisters. He accuses Elizabeth of prejudice — hence the
title Pride and Prejudice. The two characters are opposite in many ways, and it is
precisely this contrast that drives the narrative. Through a gradual change in their main
personality traits, they reach a balance and reconciliation of the themes they
represent.
fl fi fi fi ffi fi
