Using Context: Ideas & Analysis Flashcards
What period is Pride and Prejudice set in?
Regency Period
(England)
How to use context in a Pride and Prejudice essay?
- Treat it like a garnish to your meal : used when relevant and significant
–> to enhance analysis of the literature itself.
* And there has to be a connection to show its relevance.
- (start with context so the sentence finishes on an idea about the novel.)
What are the different types of context you can use?
- period
- location
- social structures
- literary contexts (e.g genre)
- targeted audience
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
Considered unclassy showing too much affection to ones spouse:”
Context:
- Jane refrained from being to passionate towards Bingley
However —> Caused misunderstanding with Darcy
(Example to explore)
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
Young women considered ‘out’ if they were attending balls: therefore available for marriage:
Context:
- All of the Bennet sisters were out at the same time –> (considered improper.)
–> Shows Mrs Bennet’s desperation to get any of them out and married
*Example to explore *
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
Importance of order of marriage : (e.g: older sister marries first)
Context:
- Lydia (youngest) married Wickham before Jane (oldest) :
Shows why Lydia was so boastful & Jane pitied/comforted
.
—-> Seen as taboo by certain people: eg: Catherine DeBourgh
*Example to explore *
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
Letters should only be exchanged by engaged men/women
Context:
- Darcy+Lizzie ignore this expectation and write to eachother
. - Show Darcy’s desperation to contact her –> Example of Ignoring social ettiquette
*Example to explore *
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
Marriage ages:
15: legal but quite young.
20: Prime age for marriage
27: Too old for marriage
Context:
- Georgiana/Lydia are both 15 when they are with Wickham
–> Lydia marries unusually young
–> Wickham preys on women who are notably young to even marry.
.
- Jane was 22 and Elizabeth 20 which was prime age
. - Charlotte Lucas is 27 and nearly a spinster.
—> Explains her urgency to marry anyone (even Collins)
*Example to explore *
DANCING ETIQUETTE: (COURTSHIP)
Women could not easily refuse to dance with a man
Context:
- Explains why Lizzie accepted Collin’s dances (Considered rude)
. - Could explain her initial reaction to accept Darcy’s request to dance
–> didn’t think about who asked her just accepted because it was a man.
*Example to explore *
DANCING ETIQUETTE: (COURTSHIP)
When a women refused a dance with a man - they sit out for rest of the evening:
Context:
- Elizabeth couldn’t refuse Mr Collin’s for the first 2 dances:
- Refusing = can’t dance for rest of the evening
—> she wanted to dance with Wickham
- Refusing = can’t dance for rest of the evening
*Example to explore *
DANCING ETIQUETTE: (COURTSHIP)
At balls with fewer men –> The men have to dance as much as possible
Context:
At the Meryton Ball:
- Darcy: Didn’t dance with any women = rude and snobby. (going against social ettiquette)
. - Bingley: Danced with lots of women = nice and fan favourite
*Example to explore *
DANCING ETIQUETTE: (COURTSHIP)
Whilst dancing you must make polite converstation
Context:
- When Darcy and Lizzie dance she has to encourage him to make conversation
.
–> Example of Darcy not obliging to sociatal etiquettes.
*Example to explore *
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AROUND COURTSHIP:
If a women has sex before marriage - social ruin for her and her family
Context:
- Explains why everyone is so worried about Lydia and even rumors are enough to cause scandal for her/family
–> Lizzie worried she will ruin their marriage prospects
–> meaning she has to get married to Wickham.
.
- Explains why Darcy kept the situation with Georgiana secret to keep her reputation safe.
*Example to explore *
RANK AND MONEY
The concept of Entailment: Everything passes to the closest male relative
Context
- If Mr Bennet dies before Mrs Bennet - Collins will take the house and the girls will be on the streets.
–>shocking and harsh:
explains Mrs B’s determination to marry her girls.
(+ marry Lizzie to Collins!)
Example to explore
RANK AND MONEY
Old money familes look down on New money familes
Context
- Bingleys made their fortune from their fathers trade
vs - Darcy family’s inherrited wealth.
Example to explore
