Class + Upbringing

Question 1

How are people being from the country seen as?

Answer 1

• Seen as less educated
• Seen as less wealthy
• Seen as lower in society
• Looked down upon.

Question 2

How do the Bingley sisters look down on people of lower class?

Answer 2

• Especially by Bingley sisters. ‘Cheapside’, making fun of their uncle
• Bingley sisters: ‘convinced that no country advice could be of any service’ look down on country

Question 3

Describe class and upbringing during the Regency period

Answer 3

• Governesses were common for upper class girls.
• People judged by their wealth + class
• Lady C shocked at Elizabeth never having a governess
• Social status was highly valued.
• It was a barrier to Darcy + Elizabeth’s relationship, Darcy’s feelings.
• It is central to the novel

Question 4

How does Austen use setting to show class divides?

Answer 4

• Austen uses setting to show class divides
• Mrs Hurst leaves Elizabeth to join Miss Bingley + Mr Darcy. Path ‘admitted just three’
• Darcy + Bingley sisters are of similar class – walk together as equals
• Elizabeth is of lower class – walks behind them.
• Symbolic of how class affects you socially

Question 5

How does Austen show that class + wealth does not make you a good person?

Answer 5

• Mr Bingley: “If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside … it would not make them one not less agreeable.”
• Shows how wealth + class do not make you a good person.
• At start: Mr Bingley juxtaposes Darcy (in attitudes like this)
• By end: similar

Question 6

Describe how class affects relationships

Answer 6

• Class affects relationships
• Darcy: ‘if not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger’
• Darcy + E marry
• Austen shows class + status + wealth is irrelevant compared to love

Question 7

How does Austen use Lady Catherine to show that high class does not equal good manners?

Answer 7

• Darcy ‘looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s ill-breeding’
  she is highest ranking character, one of the worst mannered Darcy overcomes pride about family + class
  riticism comes from Darcy -> more powerful
• Austen is critical of higher class people
• Darcy ‘raised to think meanly of all the rest of the world’
• Austen uses Darcy’s character to criticise snobbish manner of higher class people