In a continuous essay of not more that 1000 words, analyse this passage, discussing ways in which the narrative voice and dialogue are used.

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Kirsty Rosier                                                                                                    T7828613        

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In a continuous essay of not more that 1000 words, analyse this passage, discussing ways in which the narrative voice and dialogue are used.

The passage extracted from Chapter 9 of Pride and Prejudice is, in line with the rest of the novel, written in the third person narrative voice.  As is common throughout the Novel, focalization is often through the main character, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.  Helping to aid the readers’ comprehension of the Novel, the narrative voice has a free indirect style which shares commentary with the characters and moves imperceptibly and unobtrusively from character to group, from solitary scenes to social gatherings.  

The passage opens directly with dialogue between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.  Dialogue is used to reveal the character of the speaker and it also adds drama to the story.  Not only are the words that are spoken important, it is also significant how the words are said.  Elizabeth’s first line in the passage is spoken “impatiently”.  Quite ironically she is speaking of a gentleman ending his affection, and thereafter she speaks “knowledgeably” of love.  She is neither knowledgeable nor experienced in either of these matters.  Perhaps the “impatience” is more pertinent to the encounters she wishes to experience.  In this way, Jane Austen uses irony in her narrative as a means of showing the truth about situations and people.  

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In Darcy’s discourse he is disagreeing with Elizabeth – a pattern that emerges throughout the novel.   Within the conversation between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet we are exposed to the narrative technique of showing.  This technique is particularly effective as it involves the reader imaginatively and allows us to judge the characters and their relations with one another.

Darcy only smiles in answer to Elizabeth’s retort.  Bearing in mind the character already sketched of Mr Darcy, we are unaccustomed to him showing any humour.  Through the narrative therefore I am able to deduce that Mr Darcy may be ...

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