Explore the ways in which Jane Austen satirises the social values of her characters in volume one of Pride and Prejudice.

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Explore the ways in which Jane Austen satirises the social values of her characters in volume one of Pride and Prejudice.

In ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Jane Austen satirises many of the characters through the way in which they behave, react towards others, what they say and other characters reactions to them. Jane Austen however, does not mock the more sensible, intelligent characters, such as Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane or Bingley, but focus’s more on extreme characters such as Mrs Bennet, Miss Bingley and Mr Collins.

Mrs. Bennet is an extreme example of a comic figure who is an irresponsible and immoral parent. She demonstrates a total disregard for her daughter’s happiness in marriage. Mrs Bennet’s one desire is to see her daughters marry, and in her trying so desperately to pursuit this goal, her behaviour does more to harm her daughter’s chance of finding a husband than it does to help.

Mrs Bennet doesn’t have much consideration towards others, just so long as it helps in her quest of getting her daughters married off. She even sends Jane by horse back, to visit Mr Bingley.

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As soon as Mrs Bennet is introduced, Jane Austen has written it so that you form some very strong opinions of her straight away. ‘Have you heard that Netherfield Park is to let at last?’. She is a very inquisitive character and loves to know what is happening.

The narrator’s opinion or Mrs Bennet is very low. The narrator knows Mrs Bennet herself too well. ‘I have no objection to hearing it.’ ‘This was invitation enough.’ the narrator knows her well enough, to know that any chance Mrs bennet gets of gossiping or talking, she will take it. Later, the ...

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