"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (Austen, 1813) In her novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen presents the importance of love and marriage through a society in which women scramble to find husbands amid financial snobbery and class prejudice. Austen uses mockery and social attitudes to show that the desire for better social connections in nineteenth-century English society interfered with the workings of love and marriage. While social advancement for young men lay in the military, church or law, the chief method of self-improvement for women was the acquisition of wealth. Women could only accomplish this goal through successful marriage, which explains the value of matrimony as the topic of conversation in Austen's writing. She portrays these ideas through the image and qualities of her various characters: the Bennets, Charlotte, Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley right from the beginning of the novel. The novel is introduced with evidence that marriage is to be an imperative theme. The significance to Mrs. Bennet and the rest of the women in their society of the arrival of Mr. Bingley, "a young man of large fortune"(pg. 5), depicts the importance of wealth and status to women wanting a husband. Mrs. Bennet is established as a "woman of mean understanding, little information, and

  • Word count: 679
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Discuss the significance of the title, 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Discuss the significance of the title, 'Pride and Prejudice' The majority of the characters in Jane Austen's novel, 'Pride and Prejudice' suffer from pride or prejudice in certain ways. Each character, however, experiences these traits in diverse situations and each handle them in numerous ways. They exhibit these traits (or lack of them in some cases) by conducting their behaviour differently. I will explore these traits in many of the characters and present them in my essay, on a character-by-character basis making links throughout. I considered Mrs Bennet an extremely good starting point for my essay. She is a woman of 'mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper' (Chapter1, page7). She immediately sets a prejudice against Darcy because of his 'pride' from the very first meeting of him, 'he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him.' and she never lets this image of him go until it is secured that Elizabeth will marry him. In Chapter 59 Mrs Bennet apologises to Elizabeth for leaving her to walk alone with Darcy, however, after she learns that Elizabeth has accepted him, it is but a moment for her to change her mind and prejudice about the man she has hitherto found so disagreeable, 'What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have!' This quotation proves Mrs Bennet to be hypocritical, snobbish, having no

  • Word count: 2177
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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"Compare and contrast the various reactions to Lydia going to Brighton" in Pride and prejudice.

"Compare and contrast the various reactions to Lydia going to Brighton" "Pride and Prejudice" was written by English novelist Jane Austen who was born on 16 December 1775. "Pride and Prejudice" is one of the finest novels she wrote. It is a novel about certain families and individuals developing feelings for each other due to certain events. It was published in 1813. Jane Austen has always had a heroine in her novels as is the case in this one too. This novel is predominantly about people expressing both pride and prejudice in their affairs. The other main factor of the novel is marriage which reoccurs throughout the story and it is marriage which attracts Lydia to elope with Mr Wickham. The first line of the novel justifies this and explains what the novel is about. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"(Chapter 1) This is an exquisite introductory line written by Jane Austen to introduce this entertaining novel. The various reactions about Lydia going to Brighton occupy the Bennet family. The Bennet family contains seven individuals. Mr Bennet is an intelligent man yet also very self centred. He's rather unwilling to be involved in parenting and doesn't take as much part in it as much as Mrs Bennet. He doesn't put much emphasis in guiding his daughters and retreats from his family. Lydia's

  • Word count: 2437
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Comment on how Jane Austen shows how Elizabeth's changing feelings towards Darcy, paying particular attention to chapters 18, 34 and 43.

Comment on how Jane Austen shows how Elizabeth's changing feelings towards Darcy, paying particular attention to chapters 18, 34 and 43. The first meeting between Darcy and Elizabeth is at the ball in Chapter 3, the meeting is not direct however but it is clear that Elizabeth is not impressed the slightest by the first appearances of Darcy's character. When Darcy first enters the room he attracts a lot of attention from the female contingent of the room. Darcy refuses to dance with anyway apart from Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, refuses to be introduced to anybody else and only spoke to members of his party. This did not rub off well on Elizabeth. Elizabeth however has no real reason to not like Darcy up to this point because he has not one anything that directly insults or annoys her, however she finds herself close to Darcy when he is engaged in conversation with Mr Bingley in which he describes the female proportion of the party as "punishment to me to stand with" and tells Bingley that he is dancing with the only handsome girl at the party which is Jane the eldest of the sisters. He then however in direct earshot of Elizabeth makes references to her as " tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt him" he then goes on to say that he can't be bothered to waste his time with a women that other men feel is not good enough. The night passes off and Jane Austen describes

  • Word count: 1394
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Pride and Prejudice

English Literature Coursework: Pre- 1914 Prose - "Pride and Prejudice" "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." In the 19th century women had many more restrictions than they do today. They had little choice but to obey men, and they had little money or property that could be kept in their name. Women generally had to marry, or be looked after by a male relative, otherwise they would have no money or house. Because of this, marriages often occurred for security and material goods instead of for love. Women, during Jane Austin's life, were expected to get married - this was the main goal in their lives. Once they were married their main goal was to produce a male heir, or to get secure a 'good' marriage for any daughters. They had very mundane lives, which were alleviated by social activities. The social activates themselves were centred on finding a partner or falling in love; depending on which came first. The majority of women were very frivolous and trivial; clothes and looking good was the main object of everyday life, as this would help them to find the best partner possible. They had a very passive role and formal restrictions on what they could do; they had to be formally introduced by a male, normally a father or brother before they could converse with anybody they didn't already know.

  • Word count: 3135
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Pride and PrejudiceHow significant is the first ball tothe rest of the novel?

Pride and Prejudice How significant is the first ball to the rest of the novel? During the Meryton ball we meet all of the major and most important characters of the novel. We have already met the protagonist in previous chapters. During the ball, we get to understand Elizabeth's character a bit more and her attitude towards others in different circumstances, situations and environments. Elizabeth is lively, intelligent, witty and sensible. She can control her emotions maturely in awkward situations. "Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous." This shows that she can control her emotions in a mature fashion, in such a situation as that. Mr Darcy is introduced to the novel in this chapter. He is one of the major characters, especially in this chapter due to him being the main topic of conversation from the moment he enters to the moment he leaves the ball. Everyone openly agreed that he is the most handsome and wealthiest man at the Meryton ball definitely more so than Mr Bingley. "Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced

  • Word count: 980
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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The Rocking Horse Winner - Coroner's Inquest

The Rocking Horse Winner (Coroner's Inquest) Act 2: Scene 1 [The Coroner's Court room; Paul's mother, father, Oscar Cresswell (Paul's uncle) and Mrs Wilmot have all given evidence. It is now Bassett's turn to be questioned by the Coroner. There is a great deal of noise until the Magistrate coughs loudly and there is complete silence. Then the Cornier announces who he wishes to call to the stand.] Coroner Call Mr Bassett to the stand, please? [Bassett is a short man with a brown moustache and sharp little brown eyes. He moves towards the stand to take the oath.] Clerk (Sternly) Repeat after me. Do you swear to tell the whole true and nothing but the truth, so help me God. Bassett I swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. (Bassett genuflects and sits down.) Coroner Mr Bassett, What is your relationship with the Darcy family? Bassett (Proudly) I am the gardener, for the Darcy's. Coroner How did you come to get to know the Darcy Family and therefore gain the job? Bassett Well, Mrs Darcy's brother Mr Cresswell got me the job. I can't do much after being wounded in the leg during the war. What a trouble war it was too. Coroner (Sarcastically) Right I see. How long have you known the Darcy family? Bassett About two and half years, all in all. Coroner And what is your relationship like with the Darcy family? Bassett I don't

  • Word count: 1858
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does Jane Austen show social divide and the difference of era (compared to modern day) in chapter 34 of Pride and Prejudice, the Proposal Scene?

Pride and Prejudice How does Jane Austen show social divide and the difference of era (compared to modern day) in chapter 34 of Pride and Prejudice, the Proposal Scene? In this chapter the ways in which Jane Austen shows the difference of era between the 18th century and today is by the way that people acted and thought, also by the way that people did things, like writing letters instead of emails, and in those days Ladies did not reject offers of marriage, especially to someone who was rich, it just was the done thing of that time. Ladies would not stand up to men in those days, ladies didn't have an opinion, only because the men wouldn't let them say their opinion because the men thought they were superior over women, they did have them but weren't aloud to say what they thought. Carriages where used then, now cars are used, also other transportation like trains and buses. In chapter 34 Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects his offer because of him ruining her sister's chances of love. Now Darcy, never hearing anything so preposterous as this and is quite shocked because he had just been turned down, which never happens and isn't supposed to happen in those days, this shows that Elizabeth is very outspoken and does not care. An 18th century reader would have been shocked and appalled, but yet also would probably have respect for Elizabeth for saying those things.

  • Word count: 1064
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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What is the importance of the netherfield episode?

What is the importance of the netherfield episode? Mrs Bennet plays a powerful role in this section to the novel. In a way being selfish and self-minded by send Jane in the rain on horseback to get to Netherfield. This was a forceful act of getting Jane a chance to coincide with the Darcy and have an opportunity to talk with the Bingleys. As we already know Jane isn't the best of talkers when it comes to it. With only one expectation on her mind, getting Jane ill and succeeded in obtaining 'money' which I believe is an act if greed but beneficial to the whole family if her out come is successful. Health is important in Pride and Prejudice because it is the reason why Jane stays at Netherfield hall due to the clod she catches during her journey, it is for this reason that her and Darcy get so close and due to flirtatious acts, ending up falling in love. Without this they would never really have any chance to talk so much! This was also an important part of the text because it shows that single-mindedness of Mrs Bennet because she does not care if Jane get severe flu and dies as long as she is married. We get the chance to see Mrs Bennett behaving in an ill mannered, ridiculous way giving herself a bad reputation with the snobbish Darcys and Bingleys. It can be argued that it's her determination as a mother and person. It can be also exposed that she is one of the main

  • Word count: 457
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Examine the development of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. To what extent does the society of the period influence their behaviour and attitude?

Examine the development of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. To what extent does the society of the period influence their behaviour and attitude? "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife". The first sentence of Pride and Prejudice is also one of the most famous ever written. This is typical of Jane Austens writing she sums up the theme of her book. She is being ironic, implying that parents with daughters assume that single men of "good fortune" want to get married, this of course could be the last thing on their minds. Immediately in chapter one the social restrictions of the period have an effect. Mr Bennet the head of the household must go and visit Mr Bingly, this is because it would have seemed discourteous for women to visit a new neighbour without a previous visit from the man of the house. "A forbidding, disagreeable countenance". This is the first impression of Darcy, he comes across to be extremely proud and, "above his company". With Mr Bingly's amiable behaviour Darcy is contrasted and his arrogance is condemned. You could say prejudice sets against him. At the Netherfield ball Darcy is acquainted with Elizabeth Bennet. To whom he does not think to be pretty only "tolerable". Later Darcy tells us it was shyness which lead to his awkward behaviour at the ball. However, it

  • Word count: 2029
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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