Explain in detail how Jane Austen introduces and sustains the interaction of the four couples united in the novel Pride and Prejudice
Explain in detail how Jane Austen introduces and sustains the interaction of the
four couples united in the novel 'Pride and Prejudice'
'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel by Jane Austen, published in 1813. It is set mainly in a town in Hertfordshire called Meryton, and the two or three estates around it, Longbourn and Netherfield. The four couples in the story are Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, William Collins and Charlotte Lucas, and Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham. The first sentence in the book is a very famous quote,
"It is universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune,
must be in want of a wife."
This quote sets the scene for the whole book, marriage, money and social status.
The first couples we meet in the story are Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley, and Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. They meet in the assembly rooms in Meryton, where there was a dance-taking place. Mr Bingley had recently moved to Netherfield with a party of his friends, including Mr Darcy. As they were the new tenants of Netherfield they were the talk of the town. For most of the town's people this was the first time many of them would have seen the new tenants and first impressions counted for an awful lot in that period. When the townspeople first met Bingley he set a good impression on them and was respected almost instantly. Darcy on the other hand was quite the opposite he came across as a very proud man and the people took instant dislike towards him.
Jane and Bingley were introduced at the dance, when Bingley asked Jane to dance. Through out the evening, Bingley danced with many of the women, but he danced with Jane twice. After the dance Jane and Lizzy (Elizabeth) were discussing Bingley, saying how he was the perfect gentleman, Lizzy said that she could see clearly how besotted Bingley was with her but she was being very modest saying she didn't agree.
At the dance we are also introduced to Darcy. As I have mentioned before he came across to the people as a very proud man. Throughout the evening he danced with no one and just stood observing the merriments taking place around him. At one point during the evening Bingley went over to him and told him he was being boring, and that he should ask someone to dance with him. Bingley pointed out Lizzy, Darcy saw her and told Bingley that,
"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me."
Lizzy overheard this conversation between Darcy and Bingley and heard Darcy's remark. When she heard this she instantly decided to take a dislike towards him, she became prejudiced against him, hence the title of the book, 'Pride and Prejudice', Darcy being proud, Lizzy being prejudiced.
The next couple introduced into the story is Charlotte Lucas and William Collins. Charlotte is introduced into the story after the dance at the assembly rooms. She is Lizzy's close friend and it is customary that after any social events they meet up and discuss what happened the evening before. Charlotte is twenty-seven years old, and still not married so is fast approaching spinster hood. Any offer of marriage she was given she would accept.
Before we get introduced to Mr Collins Jane gets a letter from Netherfield inviting her to tea. Mrs Bennet insisted that she went on horseback, although it was about to rain. Mrs Bennet's plan worked in that Jane became ill and was invited to stay at Netherfield until she was better. The following day Lizzy walked to Netherfield, to see how her sister was, Bingley's sisters were disgusted that she had walked but Darcy was saying how healthy she looked even though her dress was muddy and how beautiful her eyes were. Lizzy also stayed at Netherfield until Jane was better, and during that time you could tell that Darcy's fondness of Lizzy progressed this was most evident one evening while they were all in the drawing room and they were complimenting and condemning each other and flirting with each other much to Caroline Bingley's disgust.
Mr Collins was introduced to the story through a letter; he was entailed to the Bennet's estate. Mr Bennet and Mr Collins' fathers didn't get on, Mr Collins' father had passed away and Mr Collins wanted to meet the Bennets and rectify any differences between them. The letter is a very clever way in which Austen introduced Mr Collins as we get an idea of his character before he is introduced into the story; we also get an idea of what the Bennets anticipate him to be like and can see how their feelings change towards him during the story, or if they do at all. From the letter the overall feelings towards his character are that he was an insensible man who thought highly of himself because he was associated with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
When Mr Collins arrives we find out that they anticipated correctly. He would walk around the estate and condemn things by saying how 'nice' everything was but how Lady Catherine's things were better or more elegant than anyone else's possessions. During his stay at Longbourn, we get introduced to Mr Wickham. He is a member of the militia in the town of Meryton; we first meet him when all the Bennet sisters are in Meryton visiting their Aunt Phillips who lived in the town. While he was introducing himself to the girls Mr Darcy rides by on his ...
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When Mr Collins arrives we find out that they anticipated correctly. He would walk around the estate and condemn things by saying how 'nice' everything was but how Lady Catherine's things were better or more elegant than anyone else's possessions. During his stay at Longbourn, we get introduced to Mr Wickham. He is a member of the militia in the town of Meryton; we first meet him when all the Bennet sisters are in Meryton visiting their Aunt Phillips who lived in the town. While he was introducing himself to the girls Mr Darcy rides by on his horse and Lizzy sees them exchange angry glances to and other. She became very suspicious and determined to find out what these glances were about. That evening the Philips' were having a party, and Wickham was invited. Lizzy and Wickham talked for most of the evening, and asked why Darcy and himself had exchanged such glances of hatred, Wickham told her about how his father was the late Mr Darcy's steward, and when his father died Mr Darcy promised to look after him and gave him an allowance, but that when he died the present Mr Darcy had kicked him out and stopped his allowance. Lizzy was horrified and her hatred for Darcy grew even more.
During Mr Collins stay there was another social gathering at Netherfield. Lots of things happened at this ball. Firstly, Wickham didn't turn up and Lizzy suspected that Darcy hadn't had him invited, and during the ball Darcy's opinion of Lizzy must have changed somewhat as he danced with her twice. Jane and Bingley's relationship grew even stronger with Bingley dancing with no other person throughout the evening, and Mrs Bennet was sure that engagement was on the cards. We also really get introduced to the true characters of Lizzy's three other sisters, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Lydia especially, that she was a flirt almost a disgrace to the family.
The morning after the ball Lizzy was told to go and speak to Mr Collins alone. She did and Mr Collins proposed to her, it was a proposal unlike any other, rather than saying something like "I love you will you marry me?" he made a very long winded speech saying how Lady Catherine had told him to come back with a wife and that how if he married her it would be convenient especially with Longbourn being entailed to him, not once did he mention love. As one may suspect Lizzy declined his offer of marriage. What Mr Collins did next gives you a true portrayal of his character, rather than going home with his tail between his legs he stayed at Longbourn, and went over to Lucas Lodge and asked for Charlotte's hand in marriage. As Charlotte was desperate for a husband she accepted. When Charlotte told Lizzy she was shocked as to why would Charlotte marry such a man? She replied,
"I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collins's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is fair as most people can boast on entering marriage state."
They were married soon after and moved to Kent very close to the Rosings estate.
During this entire going on Jane got a letter from Caroline Bingley saying that they were all going to London for the winter as Bingley had business there. Jane was devastated but tried not to let on. She was invited to go and stay at her Aunts in London, so she went and tried to meet up with the Bingley's but was unsuccessful throughout her visit as they were always out or about to go out whenever she visited.
While Jane was away Lizzy went to stay with the Collins's at Hunsford in Kent. They went to Rosings for dinner and tea many times during her stay and Lizzy did a lot of walking. Whilst Lizzy was there unexpected visitors turned up, Mr Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lizzy met with them many times Darcy's fondness of Lizzy was apparent but Lizzy's hatred of Darcy seemed to fade a little until she spoke with the Colonel and he told her how Darcy had told him that he had taken his friend away from a girl as he feared they were falling in love and that she was not good enough for him. This caused Lizzy's instant hatred of him again, as it was obvious that he was talking about Bingley and Jane. One evening while Lizzy was there they had been invited to Rosings but she wasn't feeling too good so stayed at home. While she was at home someone came to the door, it was Darcy, he had come to propose to her, and tell her how much he loved her. Darcy was taken aback when she said no she couldn't marry such a person that would throw out Wickham and not give him what he was entitled to and split up two people who obviously loved each other very much.
Darcy left Rosings soon after but not before writing a letter to Lizzy explaining all that had happened with Wickham, how he was a tearaway at university, and tried to elope with his fifteen year old sister. The letter also contained a full confession to splitting up Jane and Bingley but no apology as he thought it was for he best.
This letter was a turning point in the relationship between Darcy and Lizzy, throughout Lizzy had, had a clear hatred towards Darcy now her feelings changed slightly he still hated him for splitting up Jane and Bingley but the story of Wickham changed her view most dramatically, she now hated Wickham. This was the real turning point in the whole story, after here it's all about getting Lizzy and Darcy closer together, but many scenarios take place, which prevent this from happening.
Lizzy soon after left Hunsford, and went home where she met with Jane and discussed everything that had been going on while she was away. Just as she returned news that the militia was moving to Brighton came. Lydia and Kitty were devastated, as they would have no one to flirt with. Luckily for Lydia though Mrs Forster, colonel Forster's wife had invited Lydia to go with her to keep her company. Naturally Lydia insisted upon this happening, and at first Mr Bennet said no, but gradually the prospect of Lydia not being there to embarrass the family was starting to appeal to him. Lydia was connected romantically, in the sense she put a lot of her flirting to Mr Wickham and was jealous of any other girl speaking to him, Lizzy knew of this and the fact that Wickham had tried to elope with Darcy's sister, and tried to warn her father off letting her go as she might embarrass the whole family and ruin their chances of getting a husband. Mr Bennet was not convinced and let her go.
Lizzy had been promised by her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner a holiday to the lake district, but when they got to Longbourn to pick her up they told her that Mr Gardiner had business in London and that they would have to cut the trip short and that they would have to stop at Derbyshire instead. Lizzy was a little disappointed but never the less went away with them. On their journey they would come within a mile of Darcy's estate, Pemberly, so they decided to go and visit, Lizzy prayed that he was away as it would be embarrassing for her if he was there, as if she was going to check out what she'd missed out on.
When the house first came into view Lizzy was astonished at it's beauty, how formality was matched with wildness so perfectly, she fell in love with the place before they'd even got inside. When they got there they found the housekeeper and had a tour, luckily for Lizzy Darcy wasn't due back until the following day. As they went around she fell in love with the place even more and her hatred for Darcy seemed to disintegrate a little especially with the stories the house keeper was telling them, she didn't have a bad word to say about him. As they went outside to inspect the grounds Mr Darcy appeared, saying his party was to follow him the day after, including Miss Darcy his sister. Mr Darcy took them for a tour of the outside grounds, and he invited Mr Gardiner to fish in his stream anytime he liked. While they walked around he spoke to Lizzy and was very polite inquiring after her family. He also told her how in his party his sister and how she wished to meet her during her stay at Lambton.
The following day at the inn they were staying in Mr Darcy appeared with his sister and Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley enquired after her family and Jane in particular, Miss Darcy then invited Lizzy to dine with them that evening, Lizzy accepted. At dinner they were treated to hear Darcy's well-accomplished sister play the piano, when she had finished she insisted Lizzy perform as her brother had told her so much about how well she played and sang. The evening went well and Lizzy and Darcy's relationship grew stronger, Lizzy almost completely forgetting any hatred she ever felt towards him. Miss Bingley made some rude comments about how the militia leaving Meryton would effect how her family would do with marriages but someone would retrieve Lizzy from Miss Bingley's embarrassing questions. When Lizzy had left miss Bingley asked Darcy how he could ever have thought Lizzy to be pretty, he replied,
"Yes, but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women I have ever met."
We therefore now know for definite Darcy still loves her. Unfortunately after that evening Lizzy was rushed home, Darcy was there when the letter arrived saying that Lydia had runaway from Brighton with Mr Wickham. She went home and her father was in London looking for her along with her uncle as they imagined that they had not eloped. They were unsuccessful and Lizzy's father returned home. Shortly after a letter arrived informing them that Lydia and Wickham were married and that he would have some fees to pay to Mr Wickham for marrying her daughter, and that they would come and visit Longbourn, before Wickham went to join a regiment in the North.
Wickham and Lydia came and visited Longbourn and while they were there Lydia told Lizzy by accident that Darcy was at the wedding, when Lizzy heard this she wrote to her aunt to enquire more, her aunt told her everything, how Darcy had found and paid Wickham to marry Lydia. Lizzy was drawn towards loving Mr Darcy after this letter, after all who else would do such a thing than someone who loved her. Shortly after the visit of Lydia and Wickham Jane received a letter from Bingley informing her of his return. Jane became very excited, as did Mrs Bennet and Lizzy, the prospect of engagement for Jane, and for Lizzy meeting Mr Darcy again.
Shortly after their arrival Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy went to call on the girls, during this time Mrs Bennet was very rude to Mr Darcy saying that he was very rude and proud almost to his face. Fortunately this didn't affect his feelings for Lizzy. A few days after this event, Longbourn had an unexpected visitor, Lady Catherine. She came to speak to Lizzy about the fact she'd heard rumours that Darcy was going to propose to her, she told Lizzy that if she accepted his offer, then she'd disgrace her whole family and that she wouldn't speak to either of them. She said that Darcy should marry her daughter, as it was an agreement at birth that they'd marry each other. The fact that Lady Catherine had said she couldn't marry Darcy I feel made Lizzy want to marry Darcy even more, that is if he still wanted to marry her.
One day Mr Bingley went to Longbourn alone and asked to speak to Jane, alone. Mrs Bennet carted everyone else off to other parts of the house and they were under strict instructions not to go anywhere near where Jane and Bingley were. The obvious did happen, Bingley proposed to Jane, she accepted, and Mr Bennet consented to the marriage as well.
A day or so after this event Darcy and Bingley went to call on the girls again and they all went out for a walk, Jane and Bingley walked together and Lizzy and Darcy walked together, Lizzy and Darcy were deep in conversation throughout the walk and ended up walking off several miles before returning, after everyone else. Throughout the duration of the walk, Darcy and Lizzy went over events such as the letter, and Darcy proposed to Lizzy again, this time, a relief to all readers she accepted.
When Jane and Lizzy went to bed Lizzy told Jane, Jane objected at first saying how she hated the man, but as Lizzy told her everything, she eventually came round to the idea. The same happened when Lizzy told her father, and eventually he consented. And that brings the story to a close, we don't know what happens at the weddings but do know that in the end everyone lives happily ever after you could say, with Jane and Bingley moving very close to Pemberly they were hardly ever apart. Lydia and Wickham were scraping by, by getting other people to pay off their debts. We don't hear of any of the other characters apart from Kitty who had been not unlike Lydia a careless flirt, we read that she has changed, spending a lot of time with her elder sisters she has moved up in social circle and is becoming a very respectful young woman.
As you can see throughout this novel Austen's main actions were to get Lizzy and Darcy together. However rather than your standard love story were the couple meet, then they get married and live happily ever after, Austen has used many obstacles in letting Lizzy and Darcy get together there are points where you think yes they're finally going to get together and then something happens and you think oh no. With all these obstacles Austen has encouraged us to get engrossed in the book and not want to put it down, because you don't know what's going to happen next.
Austen introduces all the characters really well, almost instantly we know who the character is and what they are about, from their very first entrance. A good example of this is when we meet Wickham, we know he's in the militia, and know he doesn't get on with Darcy because of the look that Lizzy sees pass between them. Although we can tell almost instantly what the characters about we can't guess what their outcome will be, no character's storyline is predictable, as you find in some books. You would never have guess that Darcy and Lizzy would ever get together from their first meeting.
The characters are sustained well throughout the book with Lizzy being the main character; we never lose contact with her, the rest of the characters are intertwined around her, we meet them depending on where she goes or what she's doing. None of the main characters we meet during the book fade out really, not even Charlotte and Mr Collins with them sending Lizzy a letter wishing her well with her engagement near the end, although we hadn't heard much of him and her after the visit to Hunsford.
All the characters in the book some how or other seem to either bring Lizzy and Darcy closer together or split them apart even more. The latter being the most occurant. Even though the other couples had their own love stories they all seemed to stem from Lizzy and or Darcy. For example Mr Collins was rejected by Lizzy so went and proposed to her best friend, Charlotte. Darcy took Bingley away from Jane, and then took Bingley back because he knew it pained Lizzy to see her sister unhappy.
Overall Austen has kept us engrossed and in suspense for every page of the novel, I believe that this alone explains that her introduction and sustainment of characters is truly superb. If she was alive today she would probably write soap operas, and the ratings would go through the roof. This novel doesn't drag on and make you hope for the end to come quickly, on the contrary, when you reach the end you want to read on, you want to find out what happens in their futures, how the rest of their lives progress, whether they have children, whether they live happily ever after. Austen's ability to keep us engrossed is brought on by the way she manages to keep the characters interesting, she obviously knew if they were about to become monotonous because they were withdrawn from the story just at the right time. You weren't wishing for a character to leave (unless intentionally) and it wasn't too early, making you think what happened to so and so. In conclusion Austen introduces and sustains the characters perfectly, resulting in a truly classic novel.
Leanne Summers 10.4 19th January 2001