Pride and Prejudice Flashcards
Neoclassical literature
- neo-new | classic-ancient Greek/Roman | ism-belief
- attitudes during the Restoration and 18th - century (1700s)
- literary forms used
- heroic couplet
- satire
- parody
- prose
- poetry
- major figures
- Alexander Pope
- Jonathan Swift
- Samuel Johnson
- characteristics
- strict form
- logic
- symmetry
- grace
- good taste
- restraint
- clarity
- conciseness
- focused on society, not individuals
- Neoclassical writers, also called
- Augustans, admired and imitated classical forms
- Augustans prized reason
- Augustans wrote witty satires ridiculing others
Romantic movement
- Wordsworth described such poetry as the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
- Reflects many of the qualities in the personal, emotional, and meditative poetry
- Romanticism refers to a historical period dominated by Wordsworth and five other poets: William Blake, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats
- They mark the start of the romantic literary movement in England around the publication of the poetry collection Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge in 1798
- 1798 - when it started
- Wordsworth declared the poems as “experiments”
- He deliberately chose language and subjects taken from “common life” instead of upper-class life
- English romantics were united in rebellion against their Enlightenment forebears, which included John Dryden, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson.
- The Romantics broke neoclassical conventions and expressed a new sensibility of freedom and self-expression
- The romantics looked to nature for inspiration
- Romantics celebrated strong emotions
- Romantics wrote serious lyric poems about their own experiences
Characteristics - nature is inspiration
- idealized the distant past
- celebrate the individual
- emotion/lyrical
- A New Concept of Poetry
- Greater world of human behavior
- All romantic poets wrote about the intricate workings of their own minds and the complexities of their emotions
A New Spontaneity and Freedom - Romantics were critical of the artificiality they saw in much neoclassical literature, and they placed a high value on emotional outbursts
- “Beauteous evening” is an occasion for spiritual contemplation
The Importance of the Common Place - Wordsworth wanted to enlarge the province of poetry to include “incidents and situations from common life.”
- Byron was the only aristocrat among his contemporary poets and didn’t quite accept such a lowering of standards
Fascination with the Supernatural and the Exotic - Wordsworth concentrated mostly on ordinary life
- Coleridge introduced mystery and magic
- Romantic poets added a touch of elegance and alluring beauty to the terrors of the unknown
Jane Austen biography
- Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in the village of Steventon in Hampshire, England. She was the seventh of eight children born to George Austen, a clergyman, and his wife Cassandra. Jane and her siblings grew up in a close-knit family, surrounded by books and encouraged to write and create.
- Jane began writing stories and poems from a young age, often entertaining her family with her wit and humor. She received a formal education, mainly at home, and had access to her father’s extensive library.
- It was during her time in Chawton that Jane Austen’s writing career flourished. She revised and published some of her earlier works, including “Sense and Sensibility” (1811) and “Pride and Prejudice” (1813), under the pseudonym “By a Lady.”
- Throughout her life, Austen remained unmarried and devoted herself to her writing and her family. She wrote six novels in total, including “Emma” (1815), “Mansfield Park” (1814), and “Northanger Abbey” (1817), all of which are celebrated for their keen observations of English society, sharp wit, and memorable characters.
- Despite critical acclaim from a small circle of readers during her lifetime, Jane Austen achieved widespread recognition and fame posthumously. She passed away on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41, likely due to Addison’s disease. Her novels continue to be cherished and studied worldwide for their enduring relevance and literary brilliance.
Jane Austen historical context
- Jane Austen lived during a period in history called the Regency Era, which lasted from 1811 to 1820 in England. This era was named after King George III’s son, who became the Prince Regent when his father’s mental illness prevented him from ruling.
- Social Structure: England was divided into social classes, with the aristocracy and landed gentry at the top, followed by the middle class, and then the lower class. Social status was often determined by birth and wealth.
- Women’s Rights: Women had limited rights and opportunities compared to men. They were expected to marry well and fulfill traditional roles as wives and mothers. Property and inheritance laws often favored men.
- Marriage and Society: Marriage was an important social institution, especially for women, as it provided financial security and social status. Arranged marriages were common, and couples often married for practical reasons rather than love.
Industrial Revolution: England was undergoing rapid industrialization during Austen’s lifetime, leading to social and economic changes. However, Austen’s novels primarily focus on rural and provincial settings, offering a glimpse into the lives of the landed gentry and their social circles. - Literary Scene: Austen wrote during a time when the novel was becoming a popular form of entertainment. Her novels, including “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility,” were part of the emerging genre of romantic fiction known as the “novel of manners,” which focused on social interactions and relationships.
- Political Climate: England experienced political turmoil during the Regency Era, including debates over issues such as parliamentary reform and women’s rights. Austen’s novels reflect some of these political and social concerns, although they primarily focus on domestic life and relationships.
Regency Era England
- from 1810 to 1820
- started with monarch King George III was deemed unworthy to rule due to mental illness, and passed it down to his son, Goerge Augustus Frederick who was established by the Parliament as Prince Regent
- ended with Prince Regent becoming King George IV when his father officially died
- the French Revolution caused the Napoleonic Wars, which were present during the Regency period
- the Industrial Revolution was present during the Regency period and helped produce the middle class
- terms to know:
old money- has been passed down for a LONG TIME
new money- has been passed down for a BIT
generational wealth- money that has been in multiple generations
situational irony, dramatic irony, verbal irony
Situational irony: an event that takes place produces a different/unexpected outcome.
Verbal irony: narrator uses words to say one thing but it means the opposite of what the narrator said.
Dramatic irony: when words of a character reveal his or her ignorance towards a situation, while the reader understands the situation.
free indirect discourse
uses a third-person perspective in order to convey ideas from a particular character (main character).
It is difficult whether the ideas presented in the third-person are conveyed through the narrator or character in books.
comedy of manners
literary genre
uses satire to ridicule behaviors, flaws, and etc.
satire
the art of making fun of or ridiculing someone or something.
ex. Gulliver’s Travels-Jonathan Swift
Characterization
Lizzy - The protagonist of the novel, Elizabeth is portrayed as intelligent, witty, and independent-minded. She is known for her sharp wit and strong sense of individuality. Elizabeth’s prejudice against Mr. Darcy initially blinds her to his true character, but she eventually learns to overcome her biases and see him for who he truly is.
Mr.Darcy - Mr. Darcy is initially depicted as proud, arrogant, and aloof. He comes from a wealthy and aristocratic family, which adds to his air of superiority. However, as the novel progresses, Darcy’s character develops significantly, revealing his integrity, kindness, and deep sense of responsibility. Despite his initial reservations, he is also shown to be deeply in love with Elizabeth.
Jane Bennet - Elizabeth’s eldest sister, Jane, is characterized by her beauty, kindness, and gentleness. She is often described as the embodiment of grace and virtue. Jane’s character contrasts with Elizabeth’s more spirited and outspoken nature.
Mr.Bingley - Bingley is depicted as amiable, good-natured, and affable. He is easily influenced by others, particularly his friend Mr. Darcy. Bingley falls in love with Jane Bennet and is contrasted with Darcy’s more reserved and stoic demeanor.
Mr.Bennet - Elizabeth’s father, Mr. Bennet, is portrayed as sarcastic, witty, and somewhat detached from his family. He finds amusement in the absurdities of his wife and daughters but is ultimately a caring and responsible father.
Mrs.Bennet - Mrs. Bennet is characterized by her obsession with marrying off her daughters to wealthy suitors. She is depicted as frivolous, materialistic, and often embarrassing to her daughters due to her lack of social decorum.
Mr.Collins- Mr. Collins is a clergyman and heir to the Bennet family estate. He is portrayed as obsequious, pompous, and self-important. Mr. Collins is comically portrayed as he clumsily attempts to court Elizabeth and ingratiate himself with the other characters.
character foils
Lizzy and Charlotte Lucas - Elizabeth and Charlotte are close friends but have different perspectives on marriage. Elizabeth values love and refuses to marry for financial security alone, while Charlotte pragmatically accepts Mr. Collins’s proposal for practicality and social stability. Charlotte’s decision contrasts with Elizabeth’s idealism, highlighting different approaches to marriage.
Mr.Darcy and Mr. Wickham - Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham are opposites in many ways. Darcy is wealthy, honorable, and reserved, while Wickham is charming, deceitful, and manipulative. Their characters serve as foils, with Wickham’s duplicity accentuating Darcy’s integrity and sense of responsibility.
Jane Bennet, Lydia Bennet - Jane and Lydia are sisters but have contrasting personalities and values. Jane is gentle, kind, and reserved, while Lydia is flirtatious, impulsive, and reckless. Jane’s calm and composed demeanor contrasts with Lydia’s frivolity and lack of discretion.
Mr.Collins and Mr.Bennet - Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet are related through marriage but have vastly different personalities. Mr. Collins is obsequious, pompous, and easily influenced by social status, while Mr. Bennet is witty, sarcastic, and indifferent to societal expectations. Their interactions highlight the absurdity of social conventions and the importance of individual integrity.
Mrs.Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine are both strong-willed and opinionated women, but they represent different social classes and attitudes. Mrs. Bennet is loud, vulgar, and obsessed with marrying off her daughters to wealthy suitors, while Lady Catherine is haughty, aristocratic, and disdainful of those she deems beneath her. Their characters serve as foils, illustrating the contrast between the nouveau riche and the established aristocracy.
literary themes
Love and Marriage - The central theme of “Pride and Prejudice” revolves around love and marriage, particularly the societal expectations and pressures surrounding these institutions in early 19th-century England. The novel explores different types of relationships, from those based on practical considerations to those founded on genuine affection and mutual respect.
Social Class - Austen looks over the rigid class structure of Regency-era England and its influence on individuals’ lives, aspirations, and relationships. The characters’ social standing and wealth play crucial roles in determining their prospects for marriage and societal acceptance, highlighting the disparities and constraints imposed by class distinctions.
Pride and Prejudice - The formal themes of pride and prejudice are interwoven throughout the narrative, shaping characters’ perceptions, interactions, and personal growth. The novel examines the consequences of prideful behavior, such as Mr. Darcy’s initial haughtiness and Elizabeth’s prejudiced judgments, while also showcasing the transformative power of self-reflection and humility.
Gender roles and Expectations - Austen challenges traditional gender roles and expectations by portraying female characters who defy societal norms and assert their independence and intelligence. Elizabeth Bennet, in particular, emerges as a spirited and outspoken protagonist who challenges the limitations imposed on women in her time.
Satire and Irony - employs satire and irony to critique the manners, morals, and hypocrisies of the English landed gentry. Austen’s sharp wit and keen observations highlight the absurdities of social conventions and the superficiality of certain characters, offering a humorous yet incisive commentary on the society of her time.
Appearance vs. Reality - Austen explores the theme of appearance versus reality, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond surface impressions to discern true character. Characters like Wickham and Collins initially present favorable outward appearances but reveal their true natures through their actions and motivations.
