Pulte anna Prastion (December 16, 177. fy 18, 1817) Jane Austen was born in Stevent shire, where her father, Rev. George ‘Austen, was a rector (54). She wa ot d daughter and seventh child in a family of eight. The Austens did not lose a si fe of their children. The first 25 years of hi ye spent in Hampshire. On her father's unexpected retirement, the family sol aS thing, including Jane's piano, and moved to Bath. Jane, aged twenty-five, an, sandra, her elder sister, aged twenty-eight, were considered by Conte standards confirmed old maid (4:35 A592 S25 2) Austen abandoned Yerary career for a decade. Jane Auivas mostly tutored at home, and irregularly at school, but she received a broadé education than many women of her time. She started to write for family amusement as a child. Her parents were great readers; Austen's own favorite poet was Cowper. Her earliest-known writings date from about 1787. Very shy about her writing, she wrote on small pieces of paper that she slipped under the desk plotter if anyone came into the room. In her letters she observed the daily life of her family and friends in an intimate and gossipy manner. Rev. George Austen supported his daughter's writing aspirations, bought her paper and a writing desk, and tried to help her get a publisher. After his death in 1805, she lived with her sister and hypochondriac (5344 tsi GS 3 Sy) mother in Southampton. In July 1809 they moved to a large cottage in the village of Chawton. This was the place ees Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com -- Ph. +923006150661 Page 2where Austen felt at home. She never married, she never had a room of her own, but her social life was active and she had suitors (—l\5 341 oS Gus — 4) ) and romantic dreams. With Tom Lefroy, whom she met a few times in 1796, she talked about Fielding's Tom Jones. They shared similar sense of ironic humour and Austen was undeniably attracted to him. James Edward Austen-Leigh, her nephew, wanted to create another kind of legend around her and claimed that "of events her life was singularly barren: few changes and no great crises ever broke the smooth current of its course... There was in her nothing eccentric (4! 5 »£) or angular; no hardness of temper; no uniqueness of manner..." Austen's sister Cassandra also never married. One of her brothers became a clergyman, two served in the navy, one was mentally retarded. He was taken care of a local family. . “Aw Jane Austen was well connected with the middling-rich landed gentry that she portrayed in her novels. In Chawton she started to write her major works, among them SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, the story of the impoverished Dashwood sisters, Marianne and Elinor, who try to find proper husbands to secure their social position. The novel was written in 1797 as the revision of a sketch called Elinor and Marianne, composed when the author was 20. According to some sources, an earlier version of the work was written in the form of a novel in letters, and read aloud to the family as early as 1795. Austen's heroines are determined to marry wisely and well, but romantic Marianne of Sense and Sensibility is a character, who feels intensely about everything and loses her heart to an irresponsible seducer. "I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same with books, the same music must charm us both." Reasonable Elinor falls in love with a gentleman already engaged. "I have frequently detected myself in such kind of mistakes," said Elinor, "in a total misapprehension of character in some point or another: fancying people so much more gay or grave, or ingenious or stupid than they really are, and I can hardly tell why or in what the deception originated. Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge.” aw > When Marianne likes to read and express her feelings, Elinor prefers to draw and design and be silent of his desires. They are the daughters of Henry Dashwood, whose son, John, from a former marriage. After his death, John inherits the Norland estate in Sussex, where the sisters live. John’s wife, the greedy and selfish Fanny, insists that they move to Norland. The impoverished widow and and her daughters move to Barton Cottage in Devonshire. There Marianne is surrounded by a devious heartbreaker Willoughby, who has already loved another woman. Elinor becomes interested in Edward Ferrars, who is proud and ignorant. Colonel Brandon, an older gentleman, doesn't attract Marianne. She is finally rejected by Willoughby. "Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions, and to counteract, by her conduct, her most favorite maxims." Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com -- Ph. +923006150661 Page 3In all of Austen's novels her heroines are ultimately married. Pride and Prejudice described the clash between Elizabeth Bennet, the independent and intelligent daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner, who both are blinded by their assumptions and desires. Their relationship starts from dislike, but Darcy becomes intrigued by her mind and spirit, and the "beautiful expression of her dark eyes". She rejects his first marriage proposal but eventually barriers are swept aside and Elizabeth and Darcy are happily united. Austen had completed the early version of the story in 1797 under the title "First Impressions". The book went to three printings during Austen's lifetime. Emma was written in comic tone. Austen begun the novel in January 1814 and completed it in March of the next year. The book was published in three volumes. It told the story of Emma Woodhouse, who finds her destiny in marriage. Emma is a wealthy, pretty, self-satisfied young woman. She is left alone with her hypochondriac father. Her governess, Miss Taylor, marries a neighbor, Mr. Weston. Emma has too much time and she spends it choosing proper partners for her friends and neighbors - blind to her own feelings. She makes a protégée (Wass bus 5 ox 5 43) of Harriet Smith, an illegitimate girl of no social status and tries to manipulate a marriage between Harriet and Mr. Elton, a young clergyman, who has set his sight on Emma. Emma has feelings about Mr. Weston's son. When Harriet becomes interested in George Knightley, a neighboring squire who has been her friend, Emma starts to understand her own limitations. He has been her moral adviser, and secretly loves her. Finally Emma finds her destiny in marriage with him. Harriet, who is left to decide for herself, marries Robert Martin, a young farmer. WY Jane Austen focused on middle-class provincial life with humor and understanding, She depicted minor landed gentry, country clergymen and their families, in which marriage mainly determined women's social status. Most important for her were those little matters, as Emma says, "on which the daily happiness of private life depends." Although Austen restricted to family matters, and she passed the historical events of the Napoleonic wars, her wit and observant narrative touch has been inexhaustible delight to readers. Of her six great novels, four were published anonymously during her lifetime. Austen also had troubles with her publisher, who wanted to make alterations to her love scenes in Pride and Prejudice. In 1811 she wrote to Thomas Egerton: "You say the book is indecent. You say I am immodest. But Sir in the depiction of love, modesty is the fullness of truth; and decency frankness; and so I must also be frank with you, and ask that you remove my name from the title page in all future printings; ‘A lady' will do well enough." At her death on July 18, 1817 in Winchester, at the age of forty-one, Austen was writing the unfinished SANDITON. She managed to write twelve chapters before stopping in March 18, due to her poor health. The cause of her death is not known. It has been claimed that Austen was a victim of Addison's disease (625348 lec). According to Claire Tomalin, she may have died of lymphoma (35). Email: ifitlharrizvi@yahoo.cam -~- Ph. +923006150661 Page 4Katherine White has suggested in the British Medical Journal's Medical Humanities magazine, that she died of tuberculosis caught from cattle. Jane Austen was buried in Winchester Cathedral, near the centre of the north aisle, "It is a satisfaction to me to think that [she is] to lie in a Building she admired so much," Cassandra Austen wrote later. Cassandra destroyed many of her sister's letters; one hundred sixty survived but none written earlier than her twentieth birthday. Jane Austen's brother Henry made her authorship public after her death. Emma had been reviewed favorably by Sir Walter Scott, who wrote in his journal of March 14, 1826: "[Miss Austen] had a talent for describing the involvements and feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I have ever met with. The Big Bow-Wow strain I can do myself like any now going; but the exquisite (C5138 93) Lud) touch, which renders (Lis 5s) ordinary commonplace things and characters interesting, from the truth of the description and the sentiment, is denied to me." Charlotte Bronté and E.B. Browning found her limited, and Elizabeth Hardwick said: "I don't think her superb intelligence brought her happiness." It was not until the publication of J.E. Austen-Leigh's Memoir in 1870 that a Jane Austen cult («4 ») began to develop. Austen's unfinished Sanditon was published in 1925. Key Facts ss FULL TITLE - Pride and Prejudice Wi Y AUTHOR - Jane Austen ‘TYPE OF WORK - Novel SY GENRE - Comedy of manner: LANGUAGE - English \ AN ‘TIME AND PLACE WRITTEN - England, between 1796 and 1813, DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION\ 1813. Pride ani utes the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five unmarried daughters. They live in the estate of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, a rural district about thirty miles from London. The family is not rich. Their property is sure to pass to the nearest male heir in the family, Mr. Collins. The main concern of Mrs. Bennet's life is to see that all her daughters are married, preferably to men with large fortunes. She sees an opportunity for her eldest daughter Jane when Mr. Charles Bingley, a wealthy gentleman from the city, occupies the nearby estate of Netherfield Park. In her excitement, she urges her husband to visit Mr. Bingley on the very first day of his arrival, before any of the other neighbors. Mr. Bennet complies with his wife's request and visits Mr. Bingley. At the next social gathering in Meryton, Bingley brings along his two sisters, Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst. But more importantly, he brings his closest friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam —_—_——————— Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 5Darcy. Bingley, who is charming and social (444), is immediately attracted to the modest and gentle Jane Bennet. Darcy, in contrast to Bingley, is proud, rude, and disagreeable. When Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Elizabeth Bennet, he refuses and negatively comments on her looks. Elizabeth overhears (44 + @£!) the comment and develops a strong prejudice against Darcy. At the next ball in Netherfield, Darcy feels an attraction for Elizabeth and asks her for a dance. She refuses to dance with him, avenging the earlier insults. Jane and Bingley continue to be attracted to one another. Caroline Bingley invites Jane to Netherfield for a visit. While at Netherfield, Jane falls ill and Elizabeth comes to look after her sister. While at Netherfield, Elizabeth is forced to confront Darcy. She approaches him with wit (¢+!4Jie) and sarcasm (4). Since Darcy has known only ees others, he is charmed by Elizabeth’s frankness. During her short stay at Netherfiel eth realizes Caroline dislikes her family, due to its social status and Mrs. Bennet’s ‘ity. Elizabeth concludes that Caroline's friendship and warmness towards Jane pretense. Mr. Collins pays a visit to Longbourn with the intentio posing marriage to one of the Bennet daughters. His pompous (6444 +54) mannergaigthis loud and empty talk disgust everyone, except Mrs. Bennet, who looks upon a prospective son-in-law. Collins is attracted to Jane, but Mrs. Bennet info: at she is about to be engaged. He then turns his attention to Elizabeth and makes ar" lous proposal of marriage to her. When Elizabeth rejects him, he proposes to hepfijend Charlotte Lucas, who, to everyone's shock, accepts him. Mrs. Bennet is distrégs Diss Jee Ute ».) by Elizabeth’s rejection of Mr. Collins because it is the one opp oN family. NY has of keeping the Longbourn estate in the Bingley and his compayiongSeon depart for London. Both Bingley and Caroline write to Jane to say that they ha jetherfield and have no plans of returning to it in the near future. Jane is very di: ited. As Jane feels frustration over Bingley, Elizabeth finds a new attraction. She mee! ickham and is foolishly and magnetically drawn to him. They have a friendly Ate sation in which she reveals her dislike of Darcy. Taking advantage of this in ation, Wickham concocts a story and tells Elizabeth that he has been cheated ae Satoh takes pity on him and almost falls in love. Mrs. Gardiner, however, warns Blizabeth about Wickham, who soon marries Miss King. At the invitation of the Gardiners, Jane goes to London for some rest and change of air. She hopes that she sees Bingley, even accidentally. Jane makes many attempts to get in touch with him, but Caroline does not even inform her brother about Jane's presence in London. Jane is heartbroken, but grows to accept her rejection. Elizabeth goes to Hunsford to visit Mr. Collins and his new wife Charlotte, who is Elizabeth's dear friend. During Elizabeth's stay in Hunsford, Darcy happens to visit his aunt, who also lives there, and attempts to build a relationship with Elizabeth. To her surprise, Darcy proposes marriage to her in a language so arrogant (45%) that Elizabeth turns him down angrily. She asks him how he dares to propose to her after separating Jane and Bingley, — Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 6who were in love with each other, and after victimizing Wickham. She ends her angry speech by saying that she would not marry him even if he were the last man on the earth. Darcy is upset and leaves in an anger. The next morning he meets Elizabeth when she goes out for a walk and hands her a long letter that answers all her accusations. He explains to her that he did not believe that Jane was really in love with Bingley. He also tells her the truth about Wickham, Elizabeth is shocked by his answers. There is also another shock awaiting her. Her youngest sister Lydia has been invited to Brighton by a young officer's wife. Lydia is very excited about the trip; but Elizabeth knows how stupid, scatter brained, and flirtatious Lydia is. She tries to persuade her father not to allow Lydia to go to Brighton. Her father, however, dismisses Elizabeth's fears. Mr, and Mrs, Gardiner plan a tour of the Lake District and take Eyer with them. At the last minute, however, the tour is cut short and the Sarin ‘o restrict their trip to Derbyshire, where Darcy has his vast estate in Pemberley. Eizabeth makes sure that Darcy is away on business and then agrees to visit Pemberley, ity. Pemberley is one of the most beautiful places she has ever visited, and Darcy's, tastes are evident everywhere. To top it all, Ms. Reynolds, the housekeeper : known Darcy since his childhood, speaks very highly of him, saying he is just an@dair. Elizabeth cannot believe that she has made such a mistake in judging his charact izabeth is looking over Pemberley's lovely grounds, Darcy himselfappears, ¥eturning a day before he is expected. He looks surprised to see Elizabeth, and she ig int ‘ly embarrassed. He is polite to her and the Gardiners, and Elizabeth notices that thére\ ace of pride in him. The following day, Bingley calls on E ; and his anxious inquiries about Jane indicate that he is still in love with her. Darc is beautiful sister, Georgiana, also call on Elizabeth at the inn (“4 44) to,jfwite her and the Gardiners to dinner. Elizabeth accepts the dinner invitation. Dung bear Caroline tries her best to destroy the friendly relationship between Dare izabeth by running down Elizabeth's family, but she does ta jizabeth. not succeed. Darcy is RS News comes ydia has eloped with Wickham, so Elizabeth leaves Derbyshire with the Gardiner: ome. All attempts at tracing the runaway couple have failed. Darcy, touched by Elizaheth’s distress over Lydia, tries to find the couple and catches them in London. Darcy convinces Wickham to marry Lydia, gives him ten thousand pounds, pays up his debts, and persuades him to settle in the North of London. Darcy then requests that the Gardiners not reveal his help to the Bennet family. Elizabeth, however, finds out the truth about Darcy's assistance. She is impressed with his kindness. Bingley makes an unannounced reappearance at Netherfield Park, and renews his relation with Jane. They are soon engaged. Lady Catherine also arrives unannounced and acts very pridefully towards the Bennet family. She threatens Elizabeth with dire consequences if she marries Darcy, but Elizabeth refuses to promise that she will not accept a proposal from Darcy. A few days later, Darcy comes to visit and makes a second proposal —_ Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 7of marriage to Elizabeth. This time she accepts wholeheartedly. He thanks Elizabeth for teaching him the lesson of humility. The two couples, Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy, are married on the same morning. Mrs. Bennet is overjoyed at having three of her daughters married, two of them to very rich young men. After a year's stay at Netherfield Park, Bingley purchases an estate in Derbyshire. His mother-inJaw's tiresome company and her vulgar behavior are too much even for his calm temperament. The novel finally ends on a note of reconciliation with all of the characters trying to forgive and forget past insults. Analysis of Major Characters Elizabeth Bennet aw The second daughter in the Bennet family, and the most intelligent and quick-witted (Gls +44), Elizabeth is the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice and one of the most well- known female characters in English literature. Her admirable qualities are numerous—she is lovely, clever, and, in a novel defined by dialogue, she converses as brilliantly as anyone. Her honesty, virtue, and lively wit enable her to rise above the nonsense and bad behavior that pervade her class-bound and often spiteful society. Nevertheless, her sharp tongueand tendency to make hasty judgments often lead her astray; Pride and Prejudice is essentially the story of how she (and her true love, Darcy) overcome all obstacles—induding their own personal failings—to find romantic happiness. Elizabeth must not only cope with a hopeless mother, a distant father, two badly behaved younger sisters, and several snobbish, antagonizing (s+) females, she must also overcome her own mistaken impressions of Darcy, which initially lead her to reject his proposals of marriage. Her charms are sufficient to keep him interested, fortunately, while she navigates family and social turmoil. As she gradually comes to recognize the nobility of Darcy's character, she realizes the error of her initial prejudice against him ‘ Fitzwilliam Darcy we A The son of a wealthy, well-established family and the master of the great estate of Pemberley, Darcy is Elizabeth's male counterpart. The narrator relates Elizabeth's point of view of events more often than Darcy's, so Elizabeth often seems a more sympathetic figure. The reader eventually realizes, however, that Darcy is her ideal match. Intelligent and blunt, he too has a tendency to judge too hastily and harshly, and his high birth and wealth make him overly proud and overly conscious of his social status. Indeed, his haughtiness makes him initially mistake his courtship. When he proposes to her, for instance, he dwells more on how unsuitable a match she is than on her chatms, beauty, or anything else complimentary. Her rejection of his advances builds a kind of humility in him. Darcy demonstrates his continued devotion to Elizabeth, in spite of his distaste for her low connections, when he rescues Lydia and the entire Bennet family from disgrace, and when he goes against the wishes of his haughty aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by continuing to w+ 7 +--+ Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 8pursue Elizabeth. Darcy proves himself worthy of Elizabeth, and she ends up repenting her earlier, overly harsh judgment of him. Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley Elizabeth's beautiful elder sister and Darcy's wealthy best friend, Jane and Bingley engage in a courtship that occupies a central place in the novel. They first meet at the ball in Meryton and enjoy an immediate mutual attraction. They are spoken of asa potential couple throughout the book, long before anyone imagines that Darcy and Elizabeth might marry. Despite their centrality to the narrative, they are vague (e!s #) characters, sketched by Austen rather than carefully drawn. Indeed, they are so similar in nature and behavior that they can be described together: both are cheerful, friendly, and good-natured, always ready to think the best of others; they lack entirely the egotism of Elizabeth and Darcy. Jane’s gentle spirit serves as a foil for her sister's fiery, contentious nature, while Bingley’s eager friendliness contrasts with Darcy's stiff pride. Their principal characteristics are goodwill and compatibility, and the contrast of their romance with that of Darcy and Elizabeth is remarkable. Jane and Bingley exhibit to the reader true love unhampered by either pride or prejudice, though in their simple goodness, they also demansiatesthat such a love is gently dull. tr net we 4 Mr. Bennet is the head of the Bennet household—the husband of Mrs. Bennet and the father of Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. He is a man driven to aggravation by his ridiculous wife and difficult daughters. He reacts by withdrawing from his family and assuming a detached attitude included bursts of sarcastic humor. He is closest to Elizabeth because they are the two most intelligent Bennets. Initially, his dry wit and self-possession in the face of his wife's hysteria make him a sympathetic figure, but, though he remains likable throughout, the reader gradually loses respect for him as it becomes clear that the price of his detachment is considerable. Detached from his family, he is a weak father and, at critical moments, fails his family. In particular, his foolish indulgence of Lydia's immature behavior nearly leads to general disgrace when she elopes with Wickham. Further, upon her disappearance, he proves largely ineffective. It is left to Mr. Gardiner and Darcy to track Lydia down and rectify the situation. Ultimately, Mr. Bennet would rather withdraw from the world than egpe with it. Mrs. Bennet Mrs. Bennet is a miraculously tiresome character. Noisy and foolish, she isa woman consumed by the desire to see her daughters married and seems to care for nothing else in the world. Ironically, her single-minded pursuit of this goal tends to backfire, as her lack of social graces alienates the very people (Darcy and Bingley) whom she tries desperately to attract. Austen uses her continually to highlight the necessity of marriage for young women. Mrs. Bennet also serves as a middle-class counterpoint to such upper-class snobs as Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley, demonstrating that foolishness can be found at every level of society. In the end, however, Mrs. Bennet proves such an unattractive figure, lacking redeeming characteristics of any kind, that some readers have accused Austen of unfairness TO Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com -~- Ph. +923006150661 Page 9in portraying her—as if Austen, like Mr. Bennet, took pleasure in poking fun at a woman already scomed as a result of her ill breeding. George Wickham - A handsome, fortune-hunting militia officer, Wickham's good looks and charm attract Elizabeth initially, but Darcy's revelation about Wickham's disreputable past clues her in to his true nature and simultaneously draws her closer to Darcy. Lydia Bennet - The youngest Bennet sister, she is gossipy, immature, and self-involved. Unlike Elizabeth, Lydia flings herself headlong into romance and ends up running off with Wickham. Mr. Collins - usw A pompous, generally idiotic clergyman who stands to inherit Mr. Bennet’s property. Mr. Collins's own social status is nothing to brag about, but he takes great pains to let everyone and anyone know that Lady Catherine de Bourgh serves as his patroness. He is the worst combination of snobbishness and habit of winning favour of wealthy people. Miss Bingley - . Bingley's snobbish sister. Miss Bingley bears inordinate disdain for Elizabeth's middle- class background. Her vain attempts to gamer Darcy's attention cause Darcy to admire Elizabeth's self-possessed character even wre Y Lady Catherine de Bourgh - .. XQ A ich, bossy noblewoman; Mr, Collins's patron and Darcy's aunt. Lady Catherine have qualities of class snobbery, especially in her attempts to order the middle-class Elizabeth away from her well-bred PRS * Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner- “C\ Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife. The Gardiners, caring, nurturing, and full of common sense, often prove to be better parents to the Bennet daughters than Mr. Bennet sate Aa “y Charlotte Lucas - Elizabeth's dear friend. Practical where Elizabeth is romantic, and also six years older than Elizabeth, Charlotte does not view love as the most vital component ofa marriage. She is more interested in having a comfortable home. Thus, when Mr. Collins proposes, she accepts. Georgiana Darcy - Darcy's sister. She is immensely pretty and just as shy. She has great skill at playing, the pianoforte. Mary Bennet - ‘The middle Bennet sister, bookish and acadamic. Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 10Catherine Bennet - ‘The fourth Bennet sister. Like Lydia, she is girlishly enthralled with the soldiers. Discuss Jane Austen’s art of characterization. Answer: Characterization is the soul of any fiction writer. It gives life and spirit to the whole work which in result produce great literary achievements. If any writer can be said to have reached near the great W. Shakespeare in the delineation of characters, Jae Austen's name can be mentioned without any hesitation. Unlike Fielding and Dickes jugh her canvas is limited, as she deals with the mutual relationship of only four or 63 ies, yet all the characters are presented totally life size. She presents common ere individuals, as alive now as they were in Jane's life time. They are skillfully di to present realistic and true-to-life portraits. They themselves reveal their person: rough their speeches and actions. The reader himself has to opine what sort of pe y are. As every critic of this great novelist reno Austen's range is very narrow in characters. They belong to the landed gentry in she cBuntry side. Her main characters belong to well bread gentle men and w mainly concerned with the domestic involvement of the country gentle. We h ind the servants, the labours and even farmer community. The aristocratic class is alge mt, but when it appears the intention is to satirize and ridicule. Lady Catheringg ide and Prejudice” is prideful, stupid and vulgar. Austen's characters ee prough the process of repetition. The snobbish (oss) Mr. Coll en Mom Mr. Elton. Mrs. Bennet’s vulgarity is different from that of Mrs. Jenning’s. Hi acters are perfectly discriminated from each other. They represent a particular cl ae at the same time they do not lose their separate identity. Mr. Wickham represent Neon looking but selfish flirts. Miss ath veals her characters through their conversation, actions and personal letters. Darcy, Witkham and Lydia are revealed through their actions while Mr. Collins is revealed through his letters. Sometimes, Jane Austen makes direct remarks or comments to expose her characters but the stage has already been laid before. In “Pride and Prejudice”, she directly tells us of Mr. Collins’ insensibility about which we are already aware of his letters. Miss Jane Austen also reveals her characters through the comparison and contrast with others. Lady Catherine and Mrs. Bennet are opposite to each other. Darcy and Wickham are opposite to each other while Elizabeth is compared and contrasted with Jane. 0 Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 11Jane Austen also brings to light the minute details about her characters. Elizabeth- Darcy relationship has been presented in detail. Even the slightest speech or deed does not escape from her keen observation, like Darcy's coming to stand where Elizabeth is, when she is plays at piano. This significance of small details comes to light when we have completed the novel. Her characters are real and life like. They appear as to be the people from our community. Their actions, speeches and attitudes are that of normal human beings. They appear to be taken from our home-society. She studies her characters sympathetically but impartially. Her characters are an amalgam of good and evil, virtue and vice. Tlrey are pleasing as well as disgusting, Lizzy is sensible but her sensibility is blinded by her og ice, Miss Austen's characters are flat and round. Particularly, hi characters are flat while her major characters are round. Like Mrs. Bennet remains stipid and vulgar from the start till the end. On the other hand, major characters like Efigabeth and Darcy develop and change as the novel proceeds. They become mature at the, id come out of their self- deception. The sensibility of her heroines helps them t ‘ome their tragic flaws and their tragic consequences. AV All the characters of Jane Austen are inevi ‘They are quite fit in keeping with the events of the story. Even the dull and a cters create special interest and charm. she She is rightly said to be “the dose Shake: e transforms the fool and bare of real life into charming and attractive litera \ One of Jane Austen's great ds of characterization is her use of irony. She uncovers discrepancies (ss ind inconsistencies of human behaviour through irony. In “Pride and Prejudice” ‘t, Catherine, Bingley sisters, Wickham and Mr. Collins are the main target of noe i After having ised all the positive aspects of Austen's art of characterization, we cannot close ot tur a deaf ear to her short comings. No doubt a few of her characters are nut stfficiently life like, real or relevant. Marry Bennet fails to impress us and even she is not inevitable to the story. On the same way, Margaret in “Sense and Sensibility” never comes to life. But these minor characters cannot prevent us from calling her as one of the greatest delineators of characters. Therefore, we can say that her characters are psychologically planned and logically structured. In short, Miss Jane is certainly the brightest star of literary horizon of English fiction. Her art of characterization is dramatic. Her art resembles with dramatist like Shakespeare and Ibsen. It has variety and uniqueness. Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 12Q2: Discuss Jane Austen’s irony. Answer: Use of word with humorous or satirical intention, as a result of which the meaning is the exact opposite of what actually said, is called irony. According to Prof. Chevalier, “the basic feature of every irony is a contrast between a reality and an appearance.” Irony is Jane Austen's forte. It is very soul of her novels. It has been,pointed out that it never imposes itself, it is never absent from more than a paraaraph loners themes are instructive. “Pride and Prejudice” illustrates the dangers of excessive, and unrestrained (S544 34) prejudice. “Emma” deals with the da: HS dexcessive self- confidence and persuasion (4s) with those of over persuasio: eS But at another level, the themes of all these novels ar ible of ironic interpretation. In “Sense and Sensibility”, it is true that Jane Austen ense triumph and sensibility is depressed. However, it cannot be denied that Mari: represents sensibility, is highly attractive character who never loses our sympathys ie Austen values sense she also values sensibility, though to a much lesser extent, Thtis, what the book most significantly illustrates is that both sense and sensibilit irable and indeed necessary for a whole life, but they are unable to be presen; bol @ same time. That is the irony of it. The theme of “Pride and Pre; i> can also be interpreted at the ironic level. This novel presents the contrast hetwe; itacy (.S+s:) and simplicity as those terms apply to personality. Darcy and raha one characters, Jane and Bingley are simple. The first two have depth in thet depth involves them in the dangers of pride and prejudice. The latter two, ite simple, and their simplicity turns out to bea virtue. But, then would one prefer at Simplicity to the intricacy of Elizabeth and Darcy? Both intricacy and simplicity he gen but the irony is that they are mutually incompatible (==). This type of th y runs through all of Jane Austen's novels. Jane Austen's novels are really full of ironic situations. Collins proposes to Elizabeth when her heart is too full of Wickham. Darcy proposes to her exactly at the moment when she hates him the most. The departure of militia from Maryton was expected to put an end to Lydia's flirtations; it brings about her elopement (= Sus — 8). Elizabeth thought her chances of marriage with Darcy were completely blasted by the infamy of Lydia’s conduct, but the affair actually brings them together, Lady Catherine, attempting to prevent their marriage, only succeeds in hastening it. ed Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.cam --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 13Irony of Characters: Irony of characters is even more prominent than irony of situation. Isn't it ironic that Elizabeth who prides herself on her perception (»+2S\:!) is quite blinded by her own prejudices or Emma who is so confident that she knows everybody does not know herself and brings her own life on the verge of total wreck (24s). Wickham is graceful to look at, polished and refined in manners, but at heart he is an unredeemed (= + ~ S35 55) villain. The Bingley sisters hate the Bennets for their vulgarity, but are themselves vulgar in their behaviour. The fact is that there are great contradictions and incongruities (43554) in human nature, which are exposed by the Jane Austen for the amusement and moral education of her readers. Verbal Irony: “)» Verbal irony is the peculiar use of the language in which unabaings are quite opposite to the surface meanings. Verbal irony is the result af ic tone of Jane Austen. The very first sentence of “Pride and Prejudice” provides a ful example of verbal irony. “It isa truth universally acknowledged that a ‘man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” The meay ended in this sentence are revealed gradually which are just against the sur! ings. The fact is that quite a number of women would like to trap a single a dssession of a good fortune for a husband, Such a type of ironic tone is a hroughout the novel. Irony in Jane Austen's novel ws means to rich comedy. She enjoys depicting the incongruities of character 2s allow it to make the atmosphere of novel dull. It is interesting to note that in Prejudice’ it is the villainous characters, Wickham and Lady Catherine, who sponsible for uniting Elizabeth and Darcy. Since ‘< has to be a detached (34) observer of life, Leonic Villard and Marvin Mudrick concludé that Jane Austen is merely an amused and attentive spectator and she does not seek to interpret life, not does she have any moral vision. However, it can be demonstrated that Jane Austen is detached but not removed, disengaged but not disinterested. She uses irony to shake her major figures of their self-deception and to expose the hypocrisy, pretentiousness (s,!S4«¢+=), absurdity and inanity (4; 42,!) of some of the minor figures. It is possible to take a scheme of moral values from her works. Andrew H. Wright rightly points out that irony in her hands is the instrument of a moral vision and not a technique of rejection. iia Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.cam --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 14Discuss Jane Austen’s art and limitations. Or What is “Two inches of ivory”? Elaborate. Answe Jane Austen is a well known name in the English novel writing. Her ae was the period of the American War of Independence, of French Revolution and of vais ‘ic war. The writers of that age write about the politics and war in their novels. R ere bored and tensed to see the monotonous world. They wanted something ec ena unique. Jane Austen appeared like a rose flower and made people's mind fre: : Sgrthe fragrance of her novels, when people's soul were nearly dead. When the Engl} antic writers Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelly, Keats and others ws covering external nature, Jane Austen manages to keep her characters indoors. Tes no doubt that she gave master pieces of English novel but reading of her novels s oe materials are extremely limited in themselves. We do not find many thin, rv novels. She also remarked about herself: < “I may boast myself to be with, ible vanity, the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dare: n author.” She does not show us any ofthe Breat agonies of human experience or the darker side of life, We see nothing of hun erty, misery. Her novels do not deal with any of the grand passions or terrible eo fe Yinds in life. We see nothing of God or very little of a spiritual sphere of experi e see a limited range of human society too. Jane Auster theme is love and marriage. In almost all of her six novels, there are beautiful for really eligible bachelors to get married to them. Their mothers and aunts are alWay’ planning how to trap these eligible bachelors. Beyond this, there is no other pursuit to engage them. This was a period of the American War of Independence, of the French Revolution and of Napoleonic wars. But Jane Austen’s characters are blissfully (= =~ S5) unaware ofall these turbulent events. The only relevance of the militia in a Jane Austen's novel is its ability to provide girls with the handsome military officers to flirt with and if possible to marry. Again there is very little religion in her novels. Her characters are not capable of any deep spiritual insight and theological speculations (J's: 3 ¢+«4;)#). She is a fine delineator of social manners but avoid all discussions of spiritual or metaphysical issues. Lord David Cecil rightly points out that Jane Austen studies man in relation with each other and not in relation to God, to politics or to abstract ideas. (nnn 8 8 Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 15Characters of Ordinary Life: Trivial Incidents: Jane Austen takes characters from very ordinary life. Her men do not have any high ambitions. Her women quietly accept their social position and engage themselves exclusively in matrimonial pursuits. In her novels, there are no great villains, no great saints, no unusual characters, no cynics (+) +) and no passionate people. Her characters have very even tenor of life, spending their time in balls and dinners, walks, playing cards and visiting friends. In her world there are no startling (5%! =) events take place, no adventures, and no masteries. The greatest villainy that ever disrupts the evenness of a Jane Austen's novel is an elopement-Wickham may elope with Lydia or Henry Crawford with Maria. Tronical Poin jew: “ Jane Austen’s view is essentially ironical. She does not deal ay passionate, the tragic, and the widely humorous. She selects for treatment only pects of social behaviour that can lend themselves to ironic treatment e.g. ByRRe and deceiving, pretentiousness, incongruities of speech and conduct. She = eae the silly heights of romantic love nor fathom the depths of despair and frus But she can laugh softly at the subtle (< 454) inconsistencies of human = The ’s Poi Vi Jane Austen represents a “femini: Sah novel”. She writes as a woman and on themes of interest to women} ‘here Jane Austen imposes certain limitations on herself, Men only appear in the c of women. There are no exclusively male sports like hunting. The novels are absolyselyelean. There is no obscenity (+! —), no vulgarity, nothing that is capable ofc maid’s innocent heart. Secondly, the action in her novels is unfolded from he és) point of view. In “Pride and Prejudice” everything is looked at through nate Similar is the case with Emma and Anne Eliot. Jane ag Jimited range has faced some very harsh criticism. Edward Fitzgerald criticizes her narrow range, “She never goes out of the parlour’. Wordsworth admits that, “Her novels were an admirable copy of life, but since the pervading light of imagination was totally absent in them, they could hardly interest him.” Since her women are often secure economically, a number of critics think that her text is just money. And since she looks at things from an ironic point of view, it being assumed that an ironist is only a detached and disinterested observer of life, it is often alleged that Jane Austen has no moral concern. Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 16Her Limited R Defended: Jane Austen's limited range is defendable. Realization of one’s limitation is a positive virtue for it also makes someone to realize one's genius and its proper application. IfJane Austen had not realized her limitations and had not attempted only what suits to her talent, she would not have produced such perfect novels. She works on a narrow canvas but what she loses in largeness of canvas, she gains in depth. About her limited themes Sir Walter Scott comments: “The subjects are not often elegant and certainly never grand; but they are (finished up to nature and with a precision which delights the readers,” It is true that she is an ironist and a detached observer of lifep byt itdoes not mean that she lacks moral concerns. To conclude, we may say that her range may be limit her materials trivial, but her achievement is not insignificant. She makes full justi the field which she selects for novels. So that's why her novels gain universality ieee in prose, Shakespeare in drama and Keats in poetry. “Sy ee Ss Discuss Jane Austen asa ist. ~ Y Or Is theme ofloveg mariage central to “Pride and Prejudice”? & ) Or JaneA Ne concerned to marriage and economic conditions of her age. Dg you agree? Or Jane Austen gave the real formula of happy marriage. What is that? Answer: Since, Jane Austen deals with life; she deals with morality and, therefore, basically she is a moralist, though not an explicit one. Elizabeth Bennet presents Jane Austen's moral oe Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 17concern when she says: “The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it”. “Pride and Prejudice” is basically an instructive novel. Her main concern is how the people behave. Jane Austen criticizes vulgar and poor standards. She laughs at the silly behaviours of people in her novels. “Pride and Prejudice” displays and illustrates the dangers of excessive pride and prejudice. But the story is more complex than the straightforward interpretation. Jane Austen criticizes the social and moral standards and manners, which are entirely those of money and snobbery (<1). Jane Austen describes how girls in family like Bennet's must succeed in capturing rich young men in order to survive. This is the need of the civilized society. In the first chapter of “Pride and Prejudice’, the words like forty business, establishment and possession have been consistently usec important than feelings and love. Jane Austen ironically makes u: marries society as well as his mate. The society she describes is oe In the union of Jane and Bingley and Charlotte and Collins, x that an individual y oriented (Uz dss,). property or wealth dominant factor. Jane Austen deliberately uses business lang ride and Prejudice” to satirize the sophisticated society of her day. She satirizes therélations established in the name of business. She considers giving oneself to ama wich jut desire isa polite form of prostitution. It is to sacrifice the most valua ohne in life i.e. feelings. Mr. Bennet forgets the possibility of happiness by mar CER woman who is equal to his social status. Through, Wickham-Lydia affity Jane Austen exposes lack of social enlightenment (AS 245,). A relation, whichgs cane on physical appeal and is totally lacking genuine and finer feeling is sooner ore stined to collapse. Lydia elopes with Wickham but their marriage is open to maQ\eXterhal and internal forces. A marriage which is based on financial or sexual factors, approved by Austen. Besides, Janes criticizes Bennet’s for not giving proper social and mental education to t n. Lydia elopes with the handsome Wickham because of her poor training. Throughout the novel, Jane Austen lays emphasize on common sense. She criticizes irrational behaviour of Darcy, Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley and Lydia. Wickham is physically very handsome but spiritually very ugly. Jane Austen throughout the novel emphasizes that appearances can be deceptive. Darcy is not a proud which Elizabeth in the beginning thinks he is. Darcy also learns that Elizabeth has certain amazing qualities. Nevertheless, it is through the mutual relationship of Darcy and Elizabeth that Jane Austen brings into light the theme of love and marriage, good morals and manners, appearance and reality, self-knowledge and mutual understanding. In the beginning of the novel, both the hero and the heroine neither know much about their own-self nor about each other. They are exposed to pride and prejudice respectively. They get married only —_——_- SS __ A Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com -- Ph. +923006150661 Page 18when they develop sufficient amount of mutual understanding and respect. This is Jane Austen's formula of true love and marriage and is central to “Pride and Prejudice”. One thing that modern reader may find in Jane Austen's novels is their being instructive and inspirational. But this does not mean that she is totally lacking in moral concerns. Modern readers may admire Austen's novels of being the depiction of real life. She actually makes fun of instructive tendencies of her age. She herself once said that “picture of perfection make me sick and wicked” and she satitized the lack of realism in the literature of her age. Sir Walter Scott says: “Tread again and again, and for the third time at least, Miss Aten ’s very finely written novel of “Pride and Prejudice”. That young lady had a tal, ‘describing the involvement and feelings and characters of ordinary life whi ‘me the most wonderful I ever met with. The big Bow-wow (Sis: '5 5) str SNe do myself like any now going, but the exquisite (-3$4:s<) touch which 5 (4S as) ordinary commonplace things and characters interesting from, uth of the description and the sentiment is denied to me. What a pity sucha gi ‘eature died of so early.” intheend,dreanibesaid charfane Austen. Arey amoral bacherrsordl concerns were different from that of her conterora¥ies. The whole study of “Pride and Prejudice” also indicates that marriage % ig theme of it. She rejects the marriage based on physical appearances and that th. She is in the favour of love for a happy and successful marriage. AN - aS Discuss Elizabe, & aracter. Or react ee in the mind and heart of Elizabeth. Answer: ‘Though, Jane and Elizabeth both are the main figures of the story of “Pride and Prejudice’, yet Elizabeth is definitely the heroine. Elizabeth not only represents one of the words of the title of the story, she also quite thoroughly dominates the action. By comparison Jane is like an accessory (Ss )*.<1-). The relationship of Jane to Bingley, which runs parallel to with that of Elizabeth and Darcy, is treated much fully. It is much simpler and it is intended to comment on the main story of her younger sister and the proud Darcy. Throughout the story Jane receives great affection of Elizabeth and authoress. Elizabeth addresses Jane in the following affectionate words: SS. sw Email: ifitlharrizvi@yahoo.com -~- Ph. +923006150661 Page 19“You are too good. Your softness and disinterestedness is really angelic.” Elizabeth is not as perfect as Jan that is why. Jane Austen makes her the heroine of the novel. Jane Austen's concern is with complex characters and interrelationship. Jan is not complex like Bingley. Therefore, she is not the heroine of the novel. Jane Austen writes about Elizabeth: “I must confess that, I think her as delightful a creation as ever appeared in print.” Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice are two halves that make the full story. These are two faults and it is necessary to remove them to have a desirable persenality. These are necessary to be removed for someone's self-respect and intelligence. The, hOvel makes clear that Darcy's pride leads to prejudice and Elizabeth's prejudice comes an er pride in her own perception. Jane and Bingley are never exposed to these ima fey are not sufficiently profound. understand people and knows William Collins from le, who are very close to her. She and Darcy. “Pride and Prejudice” (S13), Intelligence fails if there is Elizabeth is an intelligent young woman. She has al situations quite well. She understands her family perfect the very first letter. Her failures are with the compl fails completely to understand Charlotte Lucas, shows that intimacy blurs (4s Ys) perception: A insufficient distance between mind and Bea Charlotte Lucas is a sensible in} ung woman. She is Elizabeth's close friend. But we soon come to know that Eliz’ loes not completely understand Charlotte’s character. It is because a natyral kigjdnéSs‘and affection has blinded Elizabeth to the demerits of her friend. She oscar to know that Charlotte has accepted Mr. Collin’s proposal of marriage. She Begins to See Charlotte as she is. She has learnt something from her experience and that KN Jane Austen aims at. Elizabeth m ékham and finds him charming, She easily believes in his allegation agai ecause she is already prejudiced against Darcy. Elizabeth is annoyed and eVeh angry when Wickham fails to appear at the Netherfield ball. Elizabeth wants to dislike Darcy in order to avoid any entanglement (.:!2i-4.»), which will cost her freedom. She is astonished, when Darcy tells her, he loves her. She is also stunned when she discovers Wickham’s villainy. Nevertheless, her honesty causes her to realize that there is much justice in Darcy's views about her family. She then discovers that Darcy had been main instrument in arranging the marriage between Lydia and Wickham. She realized that her pride and prejudice had blinded her to Darcy's merits. In the process, she gets knowledge and becomes a charming and fascinating human being for the reader. Besides, it is through Elizabeth's character that Jane Austen has propagated her ironic view of life. Elizabeth is the main source through which Jane Austen has exposed and rejected negative values and trends ee Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.cam --- Ph, +923006150661 Page 20like pride, prejudice and lack of self-knowledge. She is also the defender of positive behaviour. Elizabeth rightly deserves the title of the heroine of Jane Austen's masterpiece. Q6: Discuss Jane Austen’s dramatic method. Or “Pride and Prejudice is like a comedy of manners. Do you agree? Answer: \ Jane Austen’s natural talent is dramatic. Her novels are wate in matter and manner. “Pride and Prejudice” offers a nice instance. The enti re of novel is so intensely dramatic that it appears a fully developed five act co! he plot falls into five natural division or acts, Y The first act covers approximately the first ei Pinter, It begins with Mr. Bingley’s renting of the Netherfield and ends with+yjs arture to London. This minimizes the chances of Jane’s marriage. Like the first act gf a play, major characters, Bennet’s, the Bingley’s, the Lucas’ and Mr. Darcy are inti and a conflict starts. It is the conflict of Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice. Thi ict results in the propagation of the major themes of the book, namely the the ve and marriage. The act two further degpen; flict between the hero and the heroine. Mr. Collins proposes Elizabeth ined bluntly. He marries Charlotte and goes back to Hunsford to prepare for Eli sit there. This is how Jane Austen opens up and exploits the dramatic con! Act three, whi tches from chapter 27 to chapter 41, is also of great dramatic significance. wane is a visit at Lady Catherine's estate. She gets an opportunity to see both Wickhantagd arcy in a better perspective. Darcy proposes her but is rejected. The act ends with some ray of hope of a bright future. Act four highlights release of tension and misunderstanding between Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth's visit to Pamberly goes a long way in softening her heart towards Darcy. However, when everything seems to be moving towards happy union, Jane Austen gives a dramatic turn to the story to heighten the suspense. Lydia elopes with Wickham and seems to be destroying and darkening all chances of Elizabeth's marriage with Darcy. Act five witnesses the final result. In hour of great crises, Darcy acts in the most sensible manner and confirms the truth of his newly acquired nobility. He settles down the entire issue na peaceful manner. Elizabeth feels sorry for past behaviour. Her realization rar POUND ene nna Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahaoo.cam --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 21also confirms her gaining of self-knowledge. Darcy again proposes her and is gratefully accepted. Like a typical Shakespearean romantic comedy, the novel ends with the ringing of marriage bells, This is how; “Pride and Prejudice” exhibits all the four major phases, exposition, conflict, climax and denouncement (2) of a full-fledged drama. It remains to be noted that dramatic conflict is not only external but internal too. Conflicting ideas and emotions are at war with each other in the minds of both Darcy and Elizabeth. This all brings to them realization, repentance and self-knowledge. Besides all the five acts show step-by-step development of the theme of love and marriage. There is perfect balance between action, character and theme. The novel observes unity of action, which is hallmark ofa dramatic plot. Jane Austen’s dramatic method is also fairly clear from her moral gdnwerns. The various themes of love, marriage, education and self-knowledge aot through with clear-cut moral messages. x Jane Austen's genius like that of Shakespeare and Browatigwis dramatic. The blends of wit and drama can be seen in the structure, action, dialogue hemes and characterization of “Pride and Prejudice”, “Mansfield Park" and “Emma. Above all Jane Austen's art cumini quite dramatic. Her leading dramatic techniques of characterization, ysed hyJané Austen in “Pride and Prejudice” are clear through: realism, dialogue, compan d contrast, conflict, irony, pen picture, detachment and objectivity, flat and aracters, action, economy and QNo6: SS Bring out the ae etween the characters of Elizabeth and Jane. gs Answer: we Elizabeth and Jane are more deeply attached to each other than most sisters are; and yet they offer a sharp contrast so far as their temperaments and inclinations are concerned. To begin with, they offer a contrast so far as physical appearance is concerned. Jane is a very pretty girl; she is not only the prettiest of the five daughters of the Bennet family but prettier than most of the girls living in the neighbourhood of Longbourn. Elizabeth has her own charm, but she is much less attractive physically than Jane. When Mr. Bingley is dancing with Jane, he interrupts his dancing to tell Mr. Darcy that his partner (namely Jane) is the handsomest girl at the gathering, whereupon Mr. Darcy tells him that the other girl (namely Elizabeth) is not so handsome as to tempt him to ask her for a dance. i Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 22By giving these negative remarks about Elizabeth's looks, Mr. Darcy offends her greatly because she overhears the remark. Later, it is true, Mr. Darcy discovers certain charms in Elizabeth's appearance, in her eyes, and in her figure; but his initial remark about her does indicate the difference between the two sisters so far as their physical attractions are concerned. Simplicity versus Complexity: Jane is a simple-minded girl while Elizabeth has a highly complex nature. Jane's reactions to people and to situations are those of a girl who does not try in the least to penetrate beneath the surface; Elizabeth, on the contrary, has a reflective (ls -#) -Aux <5) nature and an analytical mind. Elizabeth's reflective nature is clearly indicated by the author because there are several passages in the novel in which the state of mind of Elizabeth is described to us. Elizabeth's reflective tendency is clearly to be seen in her thoughts after she has rejected Mr. Darcy's proposal of marriage, in her meditations over the letter which Mr. Darcy hands over to her on the following day, in her thoughts on receiving news of Lydia's elopement, and in her thoughts on learning about Mr. Darcy's role in bringing about Lydia's marriage with Mr. Wickham. Her analytical tendency is to be found in her constantly speculating upon the reasons preventing Mr. Bingley from making a proposal of marriage to Jane. This tendency is also seen in her describing to Mrs. Gardiner the nature of Wickham and the character of Lydia, and inner pointing out to Mrs. Gardiner how easy it would be for Mr. Wickham to take undue advantage of Lydia. Jane has an entirely different temperament. She accepts things as they happen and tries to reconcile herself to them. Similarly, she does not make any effort to probe the minds of the people with whom she comes into contact. She takes them on their face value. Self-Assertiveness versus Passivity: Elizabeth is a very self-assertive girl; and she is quick to react to what people say and how they behave. She takes Mr. Darcy's initial negative opinion about her to heart, and thereafter begins to harbour a grievance and a prejudice against him. Subsequently, Mr. Darcy tries to humour and placate (4S +«)) her, but she remains adamant; and, in fact, becomes further prejudiced against him because of Mr. Wickham’s allegations against him. When Mr. Darcy proposes marriage to her, she quickly rejects the proposal, and frankly states her reasons for doing so. She does not mince matters (444) here but tells Mr. Darcy the grounds on which she has felt compelled to reject him. Elizabeth is also a dynamic person who takes initiatives. For instance, when Lydia gets ready to go to Brighton with Mrs. Forster, Elizabeth urges her father to stop Lydia from taking this step, and she tells her father of the dangers to which Lydia would be exposed during her stay in that city. It is another matter that her father does not take any action to follow Elizabeth's advice. Jane, on the contrary, is entirely a passive girl who makes no attempt at any time to give a new direction to events. At Rosings Park, Elizabeth remains calm and composed (1S) > UH! >) in the face of the various disregarding remarks which Lady Catherine makes about and her family, and also in the face of the several disrespecting questions which Lady Catherine asks essere ynsrarsersmeruemerenemeeereseeeseneesesesese ag Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahao.cam --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 23her. Elizabeth retains her presence of mind in the presence of that grand Lady, and is not disturbed. Jane in Elizabeth's position could certainly not have faced the situation with the same calmness. > ela Las Nature: Elizabeth is a rather fastidious girl who discriminates between one man and another, and between one woman and another woman. She quickly perceives the difference between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. She quickly understands the character and nature of Mr. Collins whose proposal of marriage she rejects without the least hesitation. At one point Elizabeth tells Jane that she likes few people and that she thinks we) Reever fewer people. She says that she is fed up with the inconsistencies in human bef jane, on the contrary, forms a good opinion about everybody till she is given sot fence to the contrary. Elizabeth, for instance, points out early in the novel ‘hata egins to like everybody she meets and that she likes even stupid persons.,Eljggbeth further says that Jane has a tendency to like people in general. She says to Jane: "Y¢ er see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in yo Inever heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.” Later in the novel, Elj says: “My dear Jane, you are e too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedne: sally angelic.” Still later in the novel, Elizabeth refers to Jane as a person havin, jost affectionate and generous heart in the world. According to Elizabeth, Janes all ‘liness and goodness. Elizabeth thinks that Jane has captivating manners. Now, can certainly not be described in these glowing terms which Elizabeth uses &bbj | though Elizabeth is lovable in her own way. Elizabeth has a sarcastic wit and she often makes use of it in the course of conversation. She has a capacity to laugh at people's absurdities, as she herself tells Mr. Darcy early in the story. Later we are told that Elizabeth had laughed at Sir William's absurdities so often that he had ceased to be a source of amusement to her. Elizabeth can take revenge when Miss Bingley says something unpleasant to her. Jane, on the contrary, can never mock at or ridicule anybody. Nor can she laugh, even stealthily, at people's absurdities. For instance, she has failed to notice the absurdities of Mr. Collins. Jane is, in fact, perfectly inoffensive in her talk, and would not like to injure anybody's feelings. Elizabeth describes Mr. Collins as a egoistic, pompous (+3 24), narrow-minded, and silly man. And Elizabeth further says that Charlotte has proved to be an irrational girl by having agreed to marry Mr. Collins. Jane thereupon says that Elizabeth has used too strong a language in speaking about Mr. Collins and about Charlotte. Here we see clearly the difference between Elizabeth's outlook and Jane's. a - Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com --- Ph. +923006150661 Page 24Different Attitudes towards Offending Persons - Jane is a silent sufferer during the period in which Mr. Bingley remains away from her. Of course, she shows rare courage in enduring her disappointment in love. And yet she does not blame Mr. Bingley's sisters for their negative role in the whole affair. Elizabeth tells her that Mr. Bingley’s indifference to her is due chiefly to the bad influence upon him of his two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. But Jane does not accept this view. She is inclined to give Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst the benefit of the doubt. Elizabeth's Statement about the Contrast: Towards the end of the novel, Elizabeth herself highlights the contrast between Jane and herself. Jane has expressed her wish that Elizabeth should also get the kind of husband she (Jane) is going to get, whereupon Elizabeth replies that she could never be happy even if she were to get forty husbands of the kind Jane is going to get because she does not have Jane's temperament. However, soon afterwards Elizabeth also gets a husband who is sure to make her as happy as Jane is going to be with Mr. Bingley. —_———___—__ um _i i — Email: ifitkharrizvi@yahoo.com -~- Ph. +923006150661 Page 25